MLB Player News

Rodriguez said Saturday that he's going to start Sunday's series finale against the Mets, Pete Caldera of The Bergen Record reports.

Rodriguez was called up from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Saturday to take the place of Max Fried (elbow) in the Yankees' rotation. It appears the rookie right-hander won't have to wait long to make his third big-league start, as he's set to face the Mets on Sunday. Ryan Weathers had previously been in line to start that contest, so it appears he's being pushed back at least one day.

Astros manager Joe Espada said Saturday that Hader (biceps) will log at least five more rehab appearances before he's activated from the 60-day injured list, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Hader has so far made four rehab appearances -- two with Double-A Corpus Christi and two with Triple-A Sugar Land -- combining to allow three hits with a 6:1 K:BB over four scoreless innings. With five more minor-league outings to go, the veteran reliever isn't expected to come off the IL when first eligible May 24, though Espada didn't clarify when Hader is slated to be activated, though it shouldn't be too long after that date. Bryan King has been working as Houston's closer of late in Hader's stead.

Cole (elbow) had his rehab assignment transferred from Double-A Somerset to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Saturday.

Cole has already made five rehab starts -- two with High-A Hudson Valley and three with Somerset. He threw 77 pitches over five frames in his most recent outing, so he appears close to being fully ramped up, though Yankees manager Aaron Boone stated following Cole's last appearance that he'll need at least two more rehab starts. Cole is slated to start for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Saturday, per YES Network, so he could still be ready to join the Yankees' rotation before the end of May.

McMahon isn't in the starting lineup Saturday versus the Mets.

McMahon has gone 0-for-19 with no walks and eight strikeouts over his past five games to bring his season OPS down to a paltry .559. The Yankees are giving him a day off Saturday in hopes that will spark a reset. Amed Rosario is getting a start at the hot corner in McMahon's stead.

Story is seeking additional opinions about whether surgery is needed for his sports hernia, Tim Healey of The Boston Globe reports.

Story was placed on the 10-day IL on Saturday due to the issue, which he's reportedly been dealing with for much of the season. The expected length of his absence should become clearer once it's determined whether or not he'll need to go under the knife. Story said Saturday that he'll likely be out 6-to-10 weeks if surgery is indeed required.

Seager is dealing with back spasms and isn't in Texas' lineup Saturday versus Houston, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

Seager was also held out of the lineup Friday, but that was presumed to be a rest day in the midst of the shortstop's 0-for-27 skid at the plate. It's not clear when Seager's back began bothering him, though Landry notes that the issue is considered minor and that Seager could be back in the lineup Sunday. Ezequiel Duran is starting at shortstop for the Rangers on Saturday.

Scarborough (melanoma) tossed 1.2 innings for Texas' Arizona Complex League club Friday, allowing two runs on three hits and one walk while striking out two batters.

Scarborough didn't have a great pitching line Friday, but his presence on the mound was positive given that he underwent surgery to remove a melanoma in February. The right-hander is one of the Rangers' top pitching prospects. He will likely need some time to build back up, but Scarborough could be bumped up to Double-A at some point this season if he pitches well after returning to a standard workload.

Story, who was placed on the 10-day injured list Saturday, has been diagnosed with a sports hernia, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

Story was originally said to have a groin injury, so the sports hernia diagnosis provides more specificity to the issue he's reportedly been dealing with for much of the season. According to Bill Koch of the Providence Journal, a sports hernia can sideline a player six weeks if surgery isn't needed and about four months if surgical, so Story appears to be facing an extended absence. Andruw Monasterio is starting at shortstop for Boson on Saturday and could pick up regular playing time there in Story's stead.

Clarke (foot) is slated to begin a minor-league rehab assignment with Single-A Stockton on Saturday, Jason Burke of SI.com reports.

Clarke has been on the IL since April 22 due to a deep bone bruise in his right foot. He's progressed enough in his recovery to begin playing in games again, and Stockton announced that he's expected to play with the team both Saturday and Sunday. Clarke had been struggling for the A's before getting hurt, posting a meager .417 OPS with no homers, six RBI, two stolen bases and a 40 percent strikeout rate through 22 games.

Smith is out of the lineup for Saturday's matchup against Texas, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Smith started 12 straight games from April 30 to May 12, but he's now sitting for the second time in Houston's past four contests. The 23-year-old outfielder has been struggling mightily of late, batting .069 (2-for-29) with no extra-base hits or RBI over his past 10 games. Zach Cole is starting in right field for the Astros on Saturday.