MLB Player News

Estevez (shoulder) is scheduled to start a mound progression Friday, MLB.com reports.

Estevez started a throwing program July 17 and is nearing a return to mound work as his rehab from a right rotator cuff strain continues. Progressing to throwing off the mound is a positive step, though the right-hander will need to check more boxes, including facing hitters and embarking on a rehab assignment, before returning to the Royals becomes a real possibility. The veteran has been on the injured list for virtually the entire season, hitting the shelf April 1 after just one regular-season appearance due to a left foot contusion.

Kirk is absent from the lineup for Wednesday's game against Houston.

Despite recording at least one hit in 10 of his last 11 games, Kirk will sit out Wednesday's series finale. Brandon Valenzuela will be behind the plate and bat fifth for Toronto.

Guerrero is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Astros, with manager John Schneider noting that the first baseman is "dealing with hamstring tightness and other stuff," Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Schneider didn't seem to be concerned that Guerrero would miss time beyond Wednesday, as the 27-year-old's absence from the lineup looks to be a maintenance day more than anything. Though Guerrero appeared to be uncomfortable after running out a groundball in Tuesday's 7-2 loss, Schneider said after the game Guerrero was "just tight, tired" and that it was "nothing major," per Keegan Matheson of MLB.com. Kazuma Okamoto will man first base and bat second for Toronto in the series finale in Houston.

Smith is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against Toronto.

Despite holding a six-game hitting streak dating back to July 29, Smith will sit out Wednesday's series finale. Taylor Trammell will move over to right field and bat fifth for Houston.

Way (back) is scheduled to start throwing Wednesday, per MLB.com.

Way was placed on the injured list July 28 due to low-back spasms and tightness but seemingly doesn't need more than about a week of rest before resuming throwing. Assuming no setbacks arise during Wednesday's session, the right-hander appears to be on track to avoid an extended IL stint. In 23.1 innings with the big-league club, Way has posted a 3.86 ERA, 1.59 WHIP and 21:10 K:BB.

The Rangers reinstated Bradford (elbow) from the 60-day injured list ahead of his scheduled start Wednesday versus the Giants in Arlington.

Texas placed MacKenzie Gore (personal) on the paternity list to clear a spot on the active roster for Bradford, who is slated to make his first appearance for the Rangers since Sept. 25, 2024 after a long recovery from his June 2025 internal brace surgery. The southpaw built up to four innings and 56 pitches over the course of four minor-league rehab starts, so he'll likely have a workload restriction in place in his first outing with the big club in nearly two years. Bradford had pitched effectively for the Rangers prior to undergoing elbow surgery, turning in a 3.54 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 70:13 K:BB over 76.1 innings in 2024.

Seager is absent from the lineup Wednesday against San Francisco.

Seager will be given a breather as the Rangers wrap up their series against the Giants with a day game after a night game. After being activated from the injured list Friday, Seager started in each of the ensuing five contests and went 7-for-17 with a double, three walks and three runs.

The Rangers placed Gore on the paternity list Wednesday.

Per MLB rules, Gore will be away from the Rangers for a minimum of one day and a maximum of three days while he welcomes a new addition to his family. The southpaw tossed six scoreless innings in a start during Tuesday's 5-4 win over the Giants and wasn't in line to pitch again until Sunday at the earliest, so the Rangers won't have to adjust their rotation to account for Gore's absence.

Paredes is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against Toronto, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

In his last three games, Paredes is a combined 0-for-13 with a walk and three strikeouts. Houston will give the 27-year-old the day off amid his slump, with Nick Allen manning third base and batting ninth.

Garcia (hand) received a cortisone injection Tuesday and will be shut down for around five days before ramping up baseball activity, MLB.com reports.

Garcia has been on the injured list since June 22 due to a muscle strain in his left hand and was pulled off his rehab assignment after just one appearance with Double-A Northwest Arkansas on July 28 due to renewed discomfort. After meeting with a hand specialist Tuesday, the 26-year-old received a cortisone injection and was prescribed brief rest, a generally positive sign that his setback isn't overly concerning or season-ending. A more formal timeline is likely to emerge once Garcia resumes baseball activities. Before hitting the shelf, he slashed .261/.320/.373 with three homers, 30 RBI, 32 runs and five stolen bases across 69 games.