MLB Player News

Imai (4-3) earned the win against the Guardians on Friday, allowing three runs on six hits and no walks with 11 strikeouts over six innings.

Imai allowed three runs in the third inning but was otherwise as good as he's been in an Astros uniform, registering a season-high 11 punchouts while not issuing a walk for just the second time in 10 contests. He leaned heavily on his slider, generating a whopping 17 of his 20 swinging strikes on the pitch while throwing it 57 percent of the time. The 28-year-old still owns an ugly 6.15 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 48:24 K:BB across 41 innings this season and will try to build on this performance in a road matchup against the Tigers next week.

Pena went 3-for-5 with two home runs and three RBI in Friday's 9-3 win over the Guardians.

Pena was a thorn in the Guardians' side all game, homering in the third and seventh innings before adding an RBI single in the eighth. The shortstop has now recorded multiple hits in three straight games, piling up four extra-base hits and six RBI during that stretch. For the year, he's slashing .289/.351/.461 with six home runs, 18 RBI, 28 runs scored and five steals across 168 plate appearances.

Newcomb (triceps) will serve as the opening pitcher during Saturday's game against the Tigers, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

Newcomb was removed from his last appearance with a triceps contusion after getting hit by a comebacker, but he seems to be feeling well enough to take on his first opening assignment of the season Saturday. The 33-year-old southpaw has been one of the most reliable members of Chicago's bullpen this season, turning in a 2.76 ERA and 1.04 WHIP across 42.1 frames. He could remain in the game for multiple innings before allowing the bullpen to take over.

Kiner-Falefa was scratched from the lineup for Friday's game against the Mariners due to left forearm inflammation, Tim Healey of The Boston Globe reports.

Kiner-Falefa has recorded a base hit in each of his last six games, but he'll have to wait a bit longer for his next chance to extend his streak while he sits out with a forearm issue. Marcelo Mayer -- originally set to sit out due to an illness -- will join the lineup and start at shortstop with Kiner-Falefa on the sidelines.

Mayer (illness) will start at shortstop and bat seventh Friday against the Mariners, Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald reports.

Mayer was originally left out of the starting nine because of an illness, but he now appears to be feeling better and will get the nod at shortstop, replacing Isiah Kiner-Falefa (forearm). Mayer's struggles at the plate have continued into June, as he's slashing .172/.265/.310 across 34 plate appearances since the beginning of the month.

Manager Kevin Cash said Friday that Uceta (shoulder) will resume his throwing program sometime around June 29, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Uceta has been shut down since he suffered a setback in late May during his recovery from a right shoulder strain, but there is now a clear end in sight to his no-throw period. An updated timeline for his return from the injured list may come after he gets through a few rounds of catch.

Manager Kevin Cash said Friday that Rodriguez (elbow) will begin throwing live batting practice June 30, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Rodriguez has been on the shelf all season while on the mend from an elbow procedure he underwent last August. He was cleared to begin throwing off a mound in May, and the Rays will seemingly have him throw a few more bullpen sessions before clearing him to begin facing hitters at the end of the month. A timeline for his return to the bullpen remains unknown, though he will almost certainly require several tuneup appearances in the minors before coming off the IL.

Rutschman (head) isn't in the lineup for Friday's game against the Dodgers, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Rutschman will take a day to recover after getting hit in the head by a bad throw while running to first base in the ninth inning of Thursday's game. Samuel Basallo will fill in behind the plate, moving Taylor Ward into the DH spot and giving Jeremiah Jackson a start in left field.

Mayer isn't in the lineup for Friday's game against the Mariners due to an illness, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

After sitting out Thursday's finale against Toronto, Mayer will miss a second consecutive start Friday while he recovers from his illness. Andruw Monasterio will take over as Boston's second baseman and bat ninth.

Grissom isn't in the lineup for Friday's game against the Athletics.

Grissom will get a break Friday after going 1-for-7 with a walk across his first two games back from the injured list. Oswald Peraza will start at the keystone and bat fourth.