MLB Player News

Triple-A St. Paul reinstated Culpepper (hand) from the 7-day injured list Friday.

Culpepper has appeared in just two games for St. Paul since June 28 due to a glute strain and a hand injury. He's progressed enough in his recovery from the latter issue to return to action at Triple-A, where he's slashing .272/.376/.492 with 15 steals and 14 home runs across 295 plate appearances.

Baez (ankle) will move his rehab assignment to Triple-A Toledo on Saturday, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

Baez made two appearances for Single-A Lakehead earlier this week and is ready to take the next step in his recovery from a right ankle sprain that landed him on the injured list in late April. He'll need multiple reps in center field and shortstop before being cleared to return from the 60-day IL.

Red Sox interim manager Chad Tracy said that Suarez (groin/illness) is an option to return from the 15-day injured list to start Sunday's series finale versus the Blue Jays at Fenway Park, Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald reports.

Suarez was initially lined up to start during Red Sox's series against the Orioles earlier in the week, but his activation was delayed after he succumbed to an illness. Tracy relayed that he wants to ensure that Suarez is back to full health before taking the mound, so the Red Sox will presumably check back in with the veteran southpaw on Saturday before deciding on his availability for the series finale. If Suarez can't go Sunday, Payton Tolle would be lined up to start.

Barger will undergo season-ending surgery to repair the UCL in his right elbow, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

Whether Barger needs a full Tommy John repair or an internal brace procedure will not be known until the surgery is performed. If it's the former, he could get a late start to next season following a nine-month rehab. An internal brace operation carries a timetable of six months, which would give Barger a chance to be ready around the start of spring training. Barger will conclude the 2026 season having played only nine games due to injury, as he battled a stress reaction in his back in addition to the elbow injury.

Crawford (wrist) is not in the lineup for Seattle's matchup against the Rangers on Friday.

After missing all three games of Seattle's previous series against the Reds and having Thursday's rest day, Crawford will sit out Friday's series opener. Weston Wilson will get the start at third base while Colt Emerson will take over at shortstop for the Mariners.

Leiter (ankle) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session with more intensity Saturday, Jeff Wilson of AllDLLS.com reports.

Leiter underwent surgery one month ago to remove a loose body from his right ankle region. He resumed mound work over the All-Star break and will try throwing with more effort this weekend. If that goes well, Leiter can get the go-ahead to continue a throwing progression. The Rangers have not revealed a timeline for the righty, but he is several weeks away from a return.

Smith is being evaluated after exiting a rehab appearance with Triple-A Toledo on Thursday with right shoulder/lat discomfort, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

Smith was making his second rehab appearance after missing nearly two months with right shoulder inflammation, so it's a worrisome setback. More should be known about the reliever's condition in the coming days.

Caratini (knee) will start at first base and bat sixth in Friday's series opener against the Athletics.

After being removed from Wednesday's 10-6 win over the Guardians due to a right knee contusion, Caratini was on the bench for Thursday's series finale. He's moved past the knee issue ahead of Friday's contest and will be making his sixth start in seven games, though Caratini may still be headed for more of a part-time role now that Minnesota has all of its key position players back to full strength.

Gil (shoulder) threw a live batting practice session Friday, Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News reports.

It appears to be the first time Gil has faced hitters since he was placed on the 7-day injured list at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in early May with right shoulder inflammation. A return to game action seems imminent, but it's unlikely Gil will be an option for the Yankees anytime soon.

Jung (calf) remains out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Mariners.

Jung was removed from Tuesday's game versus the White Sox with left calf tightness. He sat out Wednesday and the Rangers had an off day Thursday, but Jung still isn't ready to rejoin the lineup. Ezequiel Duran will again fill in at third base.