MLB Player News

Emerson (back) will start at shortstop and bat ninth in Thursday's contest in Baltimore.

Emerson was held out of the Mariners' lineup for each of the previous three contests as be battled back spasms, but he's feeling well enough to give it a go in Thursday's series finale. The rookie infielder is sporting an elevated 30.4 percent strikeout rate in his first 19 major-league games but has gone deep four times.

The Guardians optioned Heuer to Triple-A Columbus on Thursday, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.

Heuer has given up four earned runs in just 5.1 innings since coming up from Triple-A on May 25, and his struggles will now officially cost him his spot in the Guardians' bullpen. His replacement will be announced ahead of Friday's series opener against Detroit.

The Mariners designated Gonzalez for assignment Thursday.

Gonzalez was added to the Mariners' bullpen Wednesday, but he'll now lose his spot after giving up four earned runs over two innings against the Orioles. Michael Rucker was selected to the active roster in a corresponding move.

The Mariners selected Rucker's contract from Triple-A Tacoma on Thursday.

Rucker will return to the majors for the first time since 2023 after posting a 1.59 ERA and 1.62 WHIP through 22.2 innings at Tacoma. He'll take the place of Domingo Gonzalez, who was designated for assignment in a corresponding move.

The Yankees activated Chivilli (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list Thursday and optioned him to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

Chivilli has put his shoulder issue behind him, but he will remain at Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, where he began a rehab assignment Wednesday. The 23-year-old made two relief appearances for the Yankees earlier this season, allowing one run with a 3:3 K:BB over 2.1 innings.

The Rangers recalled Curvelo from Triple-A Round Rock on Thursday.

Curvelo was just sent down Sunday, but he's back to replace the injured Jalen Beeks (back). The right-handed Curvelo has made seven appearances out of the Texas bullpen this season, logging a 4.91 ERA and 4:2 K:BB over 7.1 frames.

The Rangers placed Beeks on the 15-day injured list Thursday with low-back spasms.

Beeks last pitched Tuesday in Kansas City, serving up a solo home run among three hits while recording just two outs. He'll be eligible for activation later this month, but it's unclear at this point how long he might be out.

The Astros optioned Whitcomb to Triple-A Sugar Land on Thursday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Whitcomb homered in Wednesday's extra-innings loss to the Angels but finds himself back in the minors a day later. The Astros are off Thursday, so they will likely announce a corresponding roster move prior to Friday's game in Kansas City.

Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said Thursday that Jansen (pelvis) remains on track to be activated from the 15-day injured list Friday, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

Hinch admitted that Jansen was "rusty" during his one and only rehab outing with Triple-A Toledo on Wednesday, yielding three earned runs while recording only two outs. However, the right pelvic inflammation that sent Jansen to the IL last month was not an issue, so the veteran reliever will return Friday in Cleveland when first eligible. Jansen has had an up-and-down 2026 campaign with a 4.80 ERA and four blown saves, but there's a good chance he'll get another opportunity to serve as the Tigers' primary closer.

Higashioka is not in the lineup for Thursday's tilt in Kansas City.

Higashioka started the first two games of the series at catcher, so he'll get a break during Thursday's afternoon tilt. Elias Diaz will be behind the dish and bat eighth for the Rangers.