MLB Player News

The Tigers placed Perez on the 10-day injured list Friday due to a left orbital fracture, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

The outfielder was injured in the weight room earlier this week when a plyometric band struck him in the face, causing the fracture. It's unclear how long Perez is expected to be sidelined. Trei Cruz was called up in a corresponding move Friday.

Flaherty (ankle) will throw a bullpen session Saturday, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

It appears to be the first time the right-hander has thrown off the mound since he landed on the injured list last week with a left peroneal strain. Flaherty is first eligible to return June 28, and he has a chance to make it back by then or shortly thereafter.

Torres (oblique) received a cortisone injection Friday and is expected to start up his rehab program in the next day or two, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

The veteran second baseman was placed on the 10-day injured list Wednesday due to an oblique strain, and he won't waste much time before getting treatment. Torres was sidelined more than a month with the same injury earlier this season, though it's unclear how long he's expected to be out this time around.

Montero will start Sunday's game against the White Sox in Detroit, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Justin Verlander (hip/hamstring) had been slated to return from the 60-day injured list to start Sunday's game, but he encountered a setback. Montero made a relief appearance Tuesday versus the Astros, but his other 13 outings this season have been starts. He's collected a 3.67 ERA and 50:17 K:BB over 73.2 frames this season. Verlander is expected to miss multiple weeks, so Montero is likely to get multiple turns in the Detroit rotation.

Verlander (hip) has been scratched from a scheduled start Sunday versus the White Sox due to a left hamstring injury, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

Verlander had been slated to return from a nearly three-month absence with left hip inflammation, but he encountered a setback with his hamstring during a bullpen session Wednesday. The Tigers expect the 43-year-old's recovery to last "a matter of weeks." Keider Montero will start for the Tigers on Sunday and is likely to make additional starts while Verlander recovers.

The Royals optioned Black to Triple-A Omaha on Friday.

The right-hander was called up by the Royals in late May and will return to Omaha after giving up seven runs with a 10:9 K:BB over 13 innings during this stint in the majors. Black's demotion clears roster space for Seth Lugo (concussion), who is starting Friday's game against the Cardinals.

Montgomery is absent from the lineup for Friday's game in Detroit.

After starting eight straight games after his promotion, Montgomery is seeing his first day off. He went 4-for-9 with a home run and two doubles in his first two games, but Montgomery is just 2-for-22 with a 1:8 BB:K across his past six contests. He'll get a breather as the Tigers send ace Tarik Skubal to the mound. Junior Perez will play right field in Montgomery's stead.

The Royals reinstated Lugo (concussion) from the 7-day injured list to start Friday's game against the Cardinals.

The 36-year-old has been on the shelf for the past week after being struck in the head by a comebacker, but he'll quickly re-enter Kansas City's rotation. Lugo has a 3.86 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 66:25 K:BB across 79.1 innings through 14 starts this season.

The Rays activated DeLuca (hamstring) from the 10-day injured list Friday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

DeLuca made a quick recovery from his right hamstring strain, as he made it back in less than a month after initially being assigned a 6-to-8 week timeline. The 27-year-old outfielder played four rehab games with Triple-A Durham, going 4-for-11 with a 4:2 BB:K. DeLuca could settle back in as Tampa Bay's primary right fielder.

Wells (head) went 2-for-5 with two homers and three RBI in a rehab appearance with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Thursday.

This was Wells' second rehab game after he landed on the 10-day IL due to cervical headaches June 6. Given his performance Thursday, the backstop appears to be feeling much better. Per Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News, Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Thursday that the team hasn't yet made a decision on when Wells will return to the big-league club, but that could happen at some point this weekend.