MLB Player News

Houck (elbow) has started throwing two bullpen sessions per week, MLB.com reports.

Houck has begun ramping up and hopes to pitch before the end of the regular season. It's unlikely the Red Sox will use him as a starter, so any rehab assignment would resemble that of a relief pitcher. The right-hander has been sidelined since last August, when he underwent hybrid reconstruction surgery on his right UCL.

Kayfus underwent surgery Friday to repair a broken right ankle along with ligament damage, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.

Kayfus suffered the injury last Sunday with Triple-A Columbus and will likely be sidelined for multiple months and possibly the remainder of the 2026 season. Kayfus appeared in nine games with Cleveland this season but went 4-for-22 with one homer, two RBI, four runs scored and a 2:8 BB:K. He has a .705 OPS with Columbus.

The Astros activated Teng (knee) from the 15-day injured list Friday.

Teng had originally been optioned to Triple-A Sugar Land in late June, but the transaction was changed to a placement on the 15-day IL with a right knee sprain. Teng will rejoin Houston's bullpen after making 10 starts for the team. He has a 4.36 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 63:28 K:BB across 64 innings spanning 23 appearances this season.

The Astros placed Matthews on the 10-day injured list Friday with a left knee sprain.

In a corresponding move, the Astros selected Lucas Spence's contract from Triple-A Sugar Land, and Spencer will man center field in his major-league debut Friday against Baltimore. Matthews was injured in the Astros' final game before the All-Star break. He's hitting .197 with seven homers, 22 RBI, 23 runs scored, four stolen bases and a 15:71 BB:K across 226 plate appearances this season.

Schmidt (elbow) will throw live batting practice Saturday, Chris Kirschner of The Athletic reports.

Schmidt is nearing a return from the internal brace procedure he underwent last July, and this will be his first time facing live hitters. As long as he gets through a couple BP sessions, Schmidt should then head out on a rehab assignment, giving him a chance to return to the big-league pitching staff sometime next month.

Seager (back) is doing some light running on the field ahead of Friday's game against Atlanta, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Seager has played just four games since June 11 due to concussion and back issues, and he's still recovering from lower-back inflammation. It's been an extremely disappointing season for the 32-year-old, who is slashing just .182/.292/.374 with 10 homers, 25 RBI, 28 runs scored, one stolen base and a 28:59 BB:K across 219 trips to the plate.

Manager Aaron Boone said Friday that Fried (elbow) will make at least two rehab starts before a decision will be made on his activation from the 15-day injured list, Chris Kirschner of The Athletic reports.

Fried's first rehab start is Friday, and he'll be limited to around 50 pitches. He'll then make another start next week before the Yankees determine if the left-hander is ready to return to the rotation. Fried hasn't pitched since May 13 due to a bone bruise in his left elbow. Prior to going down, Fried posted a 3.21 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 50:19 K:BB across 61.2 innings this season.

Judge (ribs) said Friday that his latest MRI this week showed "some" healing, but he's not yet 100 percent, and one more doctor will review the imaging before determining the next steps, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

It still sounds like Judge is multiple weeks away from a potential return to the lineup. The slugger hasn't played since May 31 due to a stress fracture of the first rib on his right side. Jasson Dominguez will continue to see regular playing time in right field for the Yankees while Judge continues his recovery. Judge will undergo at least one more MRI before he's cleared to resume baseball activities, and manager Aaron Boone reiterated Friday that he still expects the right fielder to play again this season, Jorge Castillo of ESPN.com reports.

D'Arnaud (foot) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Salt Lake on Friday.

D'Arnaud hasn't played since May 6 due to plantar fasciitis in his right foot. He's been running the bases for the past week -- the last step in his recovery before he begins a rehab assignment. The veteran backstop has a .614 OPS across 40 plate appearances this season.

Lombard (finger) was activated from the 7-day injured list at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Friday, Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News reports.

Lombard played in a pair of rehab games in the Florida Complex League this week, and he's now back with Scranton/Wilkes-Barre after going down with a finger injury June 16. In 42 games at Triple-A this season, Lombard has slashed .231/.381/.385 with four homers, 15 RBI, 30 runs scored, eight stolen bases and a 35:42 BB:K across 197 plate appearances.