MLB Player News

Higashioka went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in Friday's 3-2 win over Cleveland.

Higashioka ignited Texas' three-run sixth inning with a leadoff homer, his fourth of the season. The blast also extended a hit streak to four games, during which he's 7-for-13 with three extra-base hits, two RBI and five runs scored. He's appeared in 32 games and is essentially sharing catching duties with Danny Jansen (41 games), but Higashioka has been the better hitter. He's has a .712 OPS compared to Jansen's .586 OPS.

Langford batted leadoff and went 1-for-4 with a double and a run scored in Friday's 3-2 win over the Guardians.

Langford was activated from the injured list and slotted in at leadoff for the first time this season. He doubled and scored as part of the Rangers' three-run sixth inning, which also featured a home run from the returning Corey Seager, who batted behind Langford in the two hole against lefty starter Parker Messick. Langford had been out since April 21 with a flexor strain in his right forearm. There was a setback early in his rehab that extended his stay on the IL.

Kwan went 2-for-3 with a double, a stolen base and a run scored in Friday's 3-2 loss to Texas.

Kwan's season-opening slump has impacted his role on the team in various ways. He's no longer leading off, and Friday's steal was just his third a little more than a third of the way through the season. He's had double-digit steals in all four previous MLB seasons but is now on pace for fewer than 10. While the slump hasn't cost the left-handed batter starts against southpaws yet, Kwan was pinch hit for in the ninth inning against the left-handed Jacob Latz. He's batting just .176 against southpaws in 2026.

Rooker went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Friday's 5-1 loss to the Astros.

Rooker delivered the Athletics' lone run, launching a loud solo homer over the left-field wall in the sixth inning. The 31-year-old was out of Thursday's lineup against the Cubs due to knee soreness, though he was called upon to pinch hit in that contest, and his quick return to the lineup Friday suggests the injury is not a significant concern. It has been a challenging season to date for Rooker, as he's hitting .196 with a .650 OPS, nine homers, 27 RBI, 17 runs and two stolen bases across 45 games.

Bolte went 3-for-4 with a double in Friday's loss against the Astros.

Bolte stood out as the only player on the Athletics to log multiple hits as the offense was stifled in the series-opening loss. The rookie has tallied back-to-back multi-hit games and six such efforts this season. His home-run power has yet to emerge, but Bolte has more than held his own through 73 big-league plate appearances, slashing .328/.397/.391 with four doubles, five RBI, five runs and four stolen bases.

Garcia (hamstring) will serve as the Royals' designated hitter and bat fourth during Saturday's game against the Twins.

Garcia missed six consecutive starts while recovering from a strained right hamstring, but he was able to work as a pinch hitter in both of the Royals' last two games. He's now been cleared to rejoin the starting nine, though the Royals will begin by using him as their DH while Josh Rojas mans the hot corner.

Perez isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against Minnesota.

Perez will take a seat on the bench to begin Saturday's contest after going 1-for-8 with a sacrifice fly over the first two games of the series. His absence will put Carter Jensen behind the plate, giving Maikel Garcia a start at DH and Josh Rojas a turn at third base.

Barnett allowed a hit and two walks while striking out seven over four scoreless innings of relief in Friday's 5-1 loss to the Astros.

Entering after four-plus innings of five-run ball from starter Jack Perkins, Barnett was able to pitch the remainder of the game and did so without allowing a run while recording a game-high seven strikeouts. It marked the right-hander's first big-league appearance since being recalled from Triple-A Las Vegas on Tuesday and just his second outing of the season, with the first consisting of two scoreless innings April 19. While this appearance came in relief, Barnett made five starts with the Athletics last season and has continued to operate primarily as a starter in Triple-A. That experience could lead him to the starting rotation if Perkins continues to struggle or Kade Morris is unable to establish himself.

Bazzana batted leadoff and went 3-for-4 with a solo home run, a triple and a stolen base in Friday's 3-2 loss to the Rangers.

Bazzana, who returned to leadoff after a one-game sojourn to cleanup, belted his first career leadoff homer to give Cleveland an early lead. It was his fourth home run in 34 games. He later hit his first triple and stole his ninth base. It didn't take long for Bazzana to adapt to MLB pitching; after going 0-for-12 to begin his career in the majors, he's slashed .319/.381/.522 across his next 113 plate appearances.

Arias (hamstring) will play multiple positions while on a rehab assignment, MLB.com reports.

Arias began his rehab at Triple-A Columbus on Thursday, when he played five innings at shortstop. Prior to his injury in early April, Arias was the starting shortstop, but these rehab plans indicate a different role when he returns. "We just want to have Gabby prepared for whatever the situation/role is," Guardians manager Stephen Vogt said Friday. During his five seasons in the majors, Arias has played all four infield positions along with limited exposure to all three outfield spots.