MLB Player News

Abel (elbow) struck out five and permitted two hits and no walks over three scoreless frames in his first rehab start with Triple-A St. Paul on Wednesday.

Abel averaged 96.3 mph with his four-seamer, which is up 1.5 mph from his season average. The right-hander got his pitch count to 47, so he will need at least a couple more rehab outings before returning from the 15-day injured list and rejoining the Minnesota rotation.

Diaz went 1-for-1 with a double, an RBI and a run scored in Wednesday's 6-4 extra-inning win over the Royals.

Diaz entered the game in the eighth inning after starter Kyle Higashioka was removed for a pinch runner and played a vital role in the win. He went the other way on a 3-2 pitch low and away in the zone to drive in the game-winning run before scoring the insurance run. He also threw out a would-be base stealer in the eighth. Diaz was recently signed by the Rangers when the club placed Danny Jansen (forearm) on the 10-day injured list. He's appeared in two games since joining the organization while serving as the backup to Higashioka.

Smith (glute/wrist/illness) recently moved his rehab from Double-A Frisco to Triple-A Round Rock.

Smith started his rehab assignment, playing two games for Frisco before spending the last two contests with the Express. He's 3-for-12 with two walks, a home run, three RBI and three additional runs scored across the four appearances. Smith played back-to-back days in Triple-A on Tuesday and Wednesday. He played all nine innings in each game, logging a start apiece at first base and third base.

Stephen was placed on the 7-day minor-league injured list at Double-A Akron on Wednesday with right elbow soreness, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.

Stephen last pitched Sunday for Akron, throwing just one scoreless inning before exiting the game. He's in the midst of his first full season in the organization after he was acquired from the Blue Jays last season at the trade deadline as the return for Shane Bieber. Stephen has logged a 3.44 ERA and 1.36 WHIP with 49 strikeouts and 23 walks over 12 starts (55 IP) for the RubberDucks.

Martinez batted leadoff and went 2-for-5 with a solo home run in Wednesday's 8-4 loss to the Yankees.

Martinez got it started in the first inning, hammering the second pitch he saw for his 11th home run of the season and second during the three-game set against New York. Those 11 homers (in 64 games) tie Martinez's career high, which he set last season across 139 regular-season games. The streaky hitter has hit in four consecutive games, going 6-for-18 with two home runs and four RBI.

Bazzana went 1-for-3 with a walk and a stolen base in Wednesday's 8-4 loss to the Yankees.

Bazzana's first-inning single snapped an 0-for-17 stretch, which is part of a greater slump for the second baseman -- over the last eight contests, Bazzana is 4-for-31 (.129). He's managed to steal a couple of bases during the skid and is up 10 (on 12 attempts) across 39 games.

Holliday went 1-for-4 with a grand slam in Wednesday's 7-2 victory over the Mariners.

Holliday broke the game open with his grand slam off Domingo Gonzalez with two outs in the seventh inning. It's the third career grand slam and third homer this season for Holliday. Coming into the day, he'd gone just 3-for-18 (.167) over his previous six contests. Since returning from the IL on May 19, Holliday is slashing .220/.319/.424 with 10 RBI, 10 runs scored and three stolen bases.

Caglianone went 4-for-5 with a double, an RBI and two runs scored in Wednesday's extra-inning loss against the Rangers.

Caglianone's hot June continued, as he tallied a season-high four hits in the extra-inning affair. The right fielder has gone 14-for-26 (.538) with three homers, two doubles, eight RBI, seven runs, two stolen bases and five walks through eight appearances this month. After posting a modest .685 OPS through the end of May, this blistering stretch has boosted Caglianone's season OPS to .804 across 62 games.

Civale (shoulder) is scheduled to make a rehab appearance Thursday with Triple-A Las Vegas, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Civale has been shelved since May 26 due to right shoulder tendinitis and seems to be progressing well in his recovery. After beginning a throwing progression June 1, the right-hander is now set to take the next step and jump into game action. Should Civale come out of Thursday's rehab start feeling healthy, a return to the big-league rotation for his next appearance seems likely. Prior to hitting the injured list, he posted a 5-2 record with a 4.20 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 39:17 K:BB across 55.2 innings (11 starts).

Mears (shoulder) began a throwing progression this week and could progress to a bullpen by the end of the week, MLB.com reports.

Mears was placed on the injured list May 29 with a right shoulder impingement, and this marks the first notable update on his status since then. The right-hander appears to be trending in a positive direction, and if his progression remains on track, he likely won't require much more time on the injured list. Prior to being sidelined, Mears pitched to a 5.12 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 15:11 K:BB across 19.1 innings.