MLB Player News

Soderstrom is not starting versus Colorado on Saturday.

The lefty-hitting Soderstrom is getting a breather with the Rockies sending southpaw Kyle Freeland to the mound. It's the fourth time in five games that the A's are going up against a lefty starter, but Soderstrom started each of those first three contests, so he's not in a platoon situation. However, Colby Thomas is spelling Soderstrom in left field Saturday.

Helman was removed from Saturday's game against the Red Sox after being hit on the hand by a pitch in the eighth inning, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Helman started the contest in center field after Evan Carter landed on the injured list due to an oblique injury. Helman went 0-for-2 with a sacrifice fly in his first three plate appearances before being struck by a pitch on the right hand in the top of the eighth inning. Brandon Nimmo, who served as a pinch hitter following Helman's HBP, then remained in the game to play defense in the bottom of the frame while Helman departed. It's unclear at this point if the 30-year-old is dealing with a serious issue or if his exit was precautionary, but more information on his status should be coming soon.

Tampa Bay optioned Englert to Triple-A Durham on Saturday.

In his most recent stint with the Rays, Englert pitched in two games, allowing just one run on four hits with a 6:2 K:BB over nine innings. He threw 65 pitches while covering four frames Friday against the Angels, so he was likely going to be unavailable for a few days, and Tampa Bay decided to send him down to make room for Craig Kimbrel (wrist) to return from the injured list. Englert could be back with Tampa Bay the next time the team needs a reliever capable of covering multiple innings.

The Rays activated Kimbrel (wrist) from the 15-day injured list Saturday.

Kimbrel landed on the IL due to a right wrist strain in late May, and he ended up needing only the minimum amount of time on the shelf. The veteran reliever will now resume his low-leverage role in Tampa Bay's bullpen. He has pitched in just one game since joining the team off waivers May 26, tossing a scoreless inning against Baltimore.

Schanuel (calf) is starting at first base and batting fifth Saturday versus Tampa Bay, Jack Janes of TheSportingTribune.com reports.

Schanuel was removed from Tuesday's contest versus Houston with left calf tightness and missed the Angels' subsequent two games. However, he's feeling well enough to return to action as both a batter and fielder Saturday. As a result, Trey Mancini, who started at first base in each of the Angels' previous two games, is out of the lineup.

Martinez cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Salt Lake on Saturday.

Martinez was designated for assignment last Saturday but will remain in the Angels organization after clearing waivers. He's gone 1-for-3 over five games with the big-league club this season but is slashing a meager .189/.308/.369 with six homers and 14 RBI over 130 plate appearances at Salt Lake.

Ramirez was removed from Saturday's tilt against Detroit in the sixth inning for unspecified reasons, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.

It's not immediately clear why Ramirez was removed, but he fouled out during a plate appearance in the bottom of the fifth inning and was pulled for a defensive substitute in the top of the sixth. His removal is the continuation of a brutal day for the Guardians, who earlier lost outfielders Chase DeLauter (ribs) and Angel Martinez (foot) due to injuries. Cleveland has consequently had to shuffle around players on defense Saturday -- Daniel Schneemann is playing third base, Kyle Manzardo has entered at first base, Steven Kwan has taken over in center field and Rhys Hoskins is in left field for his first appearance in the outfield since 2018.

Ragans (elbow) had a throwing session cut short Friday and will undergo additional testing, Jaylon T. Thompson of The Kansas City Star reports.

According to manager Matt Quatraro, Ragans "woke up yesterday [Friday], not feeling as well arm-wise." The southpaw still attempted to throw, but he had to cut the session short. As a result, Kansas City has elected to have Ragans sent in for more testing, which will take place "in the next couple of days." The 28-year-old had progressed to throwing bullpen sessions in his rehab from a left elbow impingement, but the setback may push back his timeline to rejoin Kansas City's rotation.

Blanco (elbow) tossed 40 pitches in a simulated game Saturday and will soon start a rehab assignment in the rookie-level Florida Complex League, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Blanco has been sidelined all season while continuing his recovery from last June's Tommy John surgery with an internal brace. The right-hander has been throwing bullpen sessions for a few months and progressed to facing live hitters in late May. Blanco now appears ready to return to game action in the FCL, though he isn't expected to be ready to pitch for the Astros until after the All-Star break.

Diaz (oblique) could be reinstated from the 10-day injured list during the Astros' upcoming series versus Detroit, which begins Monday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Diaz has been shelved since early May due to a left oblique strain. He began a minor-league rehab assignment Tuesday and has gone 2-for-11 with a walk through three games with Triple-A Sugar Land. Diaz should reclaim his job as Houston's No. 1 catcher upon his return, though his .602 OPS through 26 games this season may leave the door open for the defensively superior Christian Vazquez to force a timeshare.