MLB Player News

The Mariners called Emerson up from Triple-A Tacoma and will have him stsart at third base and bat ninth in Sunday's series finale versus the Padres, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.

Emerson was summoned for his MLB debut after the Mariners placed Brendan Donovan (groin) on the 10-day injured list Sunday. The 20-year-old Emerson posted a .255 average with seven home runs, 26 RBI, 26 runs scored and 10 stolen bases over 145 at-bats in 38 contests with Tacoma prior to his promotion. In Donovan's absence, Emerson is expected to operate as Seattle's primary third baseman.

The Mariners placed Donovan on the 10-day injured list Sunday due to a left groin muscle strain, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

Donovan had already been left out of the starting nine for a second straight game Sunday against the Padres, but he'll now wind up being shelved until at least May 26 while he tends to an aggravation of the injury that previously sent him to the IL back on April 20. In a corresponding move, the Mariners called up top prospect Colt Emerson from Triple-A Tacoma. Emerson will start at third base Sunday in his MLB debut and should serve as the top option at the position while Donovan is on the shelf.

GM Dana Brown said Brown (shoulder) will throw live batting practice Tuesday before potentially beginning a rehab assignment, with the Astros targeting mid-June to activate him from the injured list, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

The right-hander continues to work his way back from a shoulder strain, and facing live batters appears to be the final hurdle before being cleared for game action. Brown's rehab assignment is expected to be a lengthy one with at least four starts in the minor leagues.

Ragans (elbow) felt good after throwing a 30-pitch bullpen session Sunday, Jaylon T. Thompson of The Kansas City Star reports.

The left-hander landed on the injured list with an elbow impingement after his May 6 start against Cleveland, but he was only briefly shut down from throwing and is now back to mound work. Ragans will be eligible to be reinstated during next weekend's series versus the Mariners, though it remains to be seen if he'll require a rehab assignment before returning from the IL.

Pena (hamstring/neck) rejoined the Astros on Sunday and will travel with the team for Monday's series opener in Minnesota, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Pena missed a couple games during his rehab assignment due to a neck issue, but he returned to action for Double-A San Antonio this weekend and now appears ready to rejoin the active roster. The 28-year-old shortstop could end up taking the roster spot of Jose Altuve, who will soon be placed on the injured list after being diagnosed with an oblique strain.

Manager Joe Espada announced after Sunday's loss to the Rangers that Altuve was diagnosed with a Grade 2 left oblique strain and will be placed on the injured list, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Espada didn't offer an official return timeline, but the veteran second baseman seems likely to be sidelined for at least a month given the severity of the strain. Brice Matthews picked up a start at second base Sunday for Houston, but Braden Shewmake and Shay Whitcomb are also likely to be factors at the keystone while Altuve is out.

The Mariners are expected to call up Emerson from Triple-A Tacoma on Sunday, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

The 20-year-old is Seattle's top prospect and is traveling to join the big club after being scratched from Tacoma's lineup Sunday. It'll be the first taste of the majors for Emerson after inking an eight-year, $95 million extension with the Mariners in late March. Brendan Donovan (undisclosed) is sitting out a second consecutive game Sunday after recently returning from a groin strain, which could mean that third base is Emerson's clearest path to playing time. It's not yet clear if Donovan will require a trip to the IL, however.

Narvaez was removed from Sunday's game against Atlanta due to pain in the third finger on his right hand, Tim Healey of The Boston Globe reports.

It's unclear exactly how he sustained the injury, but Narvaez was replaced defensively for the bottom of the sixth inning after going 1-for-2 at the plate. Connor Wong (ankle), who has been dealing with his own injury, replaced Narvaez at catcher.

Grissom is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Dodgers, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Grissom started the previous seven games and will hit the bench after going 5-for-27 with a double and a homer during that span. Adam Frazier will step in at the keystone and bat ninth in Sunday's series finale.

Garver (back) is starting behind the plate and batting eighth Sunday against the Padres, Shannon Drayer of SeattleSports.com reports.

The veteran catcher was scratched from Saturday's lineup due to lower-back tightness, but he's back in the starting nine for Sunday's series finale. Garver has a .173/.348/.250 slash line in 66 plate appearances this year but is primed to see steady playing time for at least the near future with Cal Raleigh (oblique) on the injured list.