MLB Player News

Estevez (foot) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Omaha on Tuesday.

Estevez landed on the 15-day injured list at the beginning of April with a left foot contusion, though his poor performance and velocity issues were arguably the biggest driving force of his IL stint. The veteran reliever's velocity has reportedly ticked back up of late in live batting practice sessions, but to what level isn't clear. Estevez has a chance to get his closer job back if he looks sharp on his rehab assignment, as Lucas Erceg has been an up-and-down performer since taking over as Kansas City's ninth-inning man.

Boyle (elbow) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Durham on Wednesday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Boyle has missed more than three weeks with a right elbow strain, but he's progressed to the point that he's ready to test himself in a game setting. The right-hander made three starts for the Rays before getting hurt, posting a 5.17 ERA and 16:6 K:BB over 15.2 innings. He could be reclaim a spot in the Tampa Bay rotation if he looks sharp during his rehab assignment.

Englert (forearm) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Durham on Wednesday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The Rays plan to stretch Englert out as a depth option for their rotation, so his rehab assignment will likely be a lengthy one as he builds up stamina. Englert has not been a full-time starting pitcher since 2022, but he did throw 65 pitches in an extended relief outing earlier this season.

The White Sox signed Grichuk to a one-year contract Monday, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

Grichuk elected free agency last week after being removed from the Yankees' 40-man roster, and he has managed to land another major-league deal. The 34-year-old's playing time with the White Sox will likely come mostly against left-handed pitching.

The Astros activated Dezenzo (elbow) from the 10-day injured list Monday and optioned him to Triple-A Sugar Land.

Dezenzo got a late start to the season after suffering a right elbow sprain during the World Baseball Classic while playing for Team Italy. He's gone 8-for-27 with one home run and a 7:7: BB:K in eight rehab games, and the Astros have elected to keep him in the minors rather than put him back on the major-league roster.

The Astros designated Johnson for assignment Monday.

Johnson went 2-for-14 at the plate during his brief time in the majors. His spot on the 26-man active roster will be taken over by Zach Cole, who was recalled from Triple-A Sugar Land.

The Astros recalled Cole (toe) from Triple-A Sugar Land on Monday.

Cole came up short in his bid for a spot on the Opening Day roster and then fractured a toe early on in the season with Sugar Land. Though he had been on Sugar Land's 7-day injured list, Cole is healthy again after going 5-for-20 with three extra-base hits and five walks during a six-game rehab assignment with Single-A Fayetteville. The Astros have been mixing and matching in center field and left field since Jake Meyers (oblique) and Joey Loperfido (quadriceps) landed on the shelf, and Cole should push for reps at one or both of those positions. He'll draw the start in left and will bat eighth in Monday's series opener versus the Dodgers.

Alexander will start at third base and bat ninth in Monday's game against the Yankees.

Alexander will stick in the lineup for the fourth straight game at his fourth different position, after previously making starts at second base, center field and shortstop. The Orioles will likely continue to make room for Alexander in the lineup versus left-handed pitching, but his opportunities to start against righties may be more sporadic while he maintains a weak .472 OPS over 80 plate appearances on the season.

Mayo is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Yankees, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Jeremiah Jackson will step in at third base in place of Mayo, who will hit the bench after going 1-for-16 with a 0:7 BB:K over his last six games. The young infielder has already endured multiple lulls in production less than two months into the season and is slashing just .165/.234/.306 while striking out at a 29.8 percent clip over 94 plate appearances. Once the Orioles get the likes of Jackson Holliday (hand) and Jordan Westburg (elbow) back from the injured list, Mayo will be in danger of moving into more of a part-time role, if Baltimore doesn't option him to Triple-A Norfolk.

Ward is absent from the lineup for Monday's game versus the Yankees.

It's the first day off this season for Ward, who is in a mini slump with just two hits over his last seven games (though he does have a 9:5 BB:K over that stretch). Colton Cowser will start in left field and bat seventh while Ward grabs a breather.