MLB Player News

Lukes (hamstring) will travel to Toronto on Monday to determine whether he will be activated off the 10-day injured list, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Lukes will be in the lineup for Single-A Dunedin over the weekend, and if he's progressed enough in his recovery from a left hamstring strain, then he could be reinstated from the IL for the start of Monday's home series against the Marlins. Yohendrick Pinango or Davis Schneider could be optioned to Triple-A Buffalo to make room on the Blue Jays' 26-man roster once Lukes is cleared to return.

Naylor is not in the Mariners' starting lineup against the Royals on Friday.

The Royals are sending southpaw Noah Cameron to the mound Friday, so the lefty-hitting Naylor will be on the bench while Patrick Wisdom starts at first base and bats fifth. Naylor is slashing .212/.263/.231 with six RBI in 57 plate appearances against left-handers this season.

Smith has been diagnosed with right shoulder soreness and received a cortisone injection Friday, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

It's unclear if Smith will require a trip to the injured list, but Brenan Hanifee will be the next man up if Smith heads to the IL. Smith allowed one run on two hits and one walk with one strikeout in two-thirds of an inning Thursday against the Guardians and figures to be unavailable for Friday's series opener against the Orioles.

Merrill (ribs) is expected to return to the Padres' lineup within the next few days, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Merrill's ribs remain sore after he banged into the outfield wall Wednesday against the Dodgers while trying to rob a home run. He has managed to avoid a serious injury, and while it sounds like Merrill will not play Friday versus the Athletics, he could be back in action sometime over the weekend.

Bieber (elbow) will begin a rehab assignment at the rookie-level Florida Complex League on Monday, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

The veteran right-hander is aiming to pitch two innings Monday. Bieber will then build up to three innings in his next outing, according to Zwelling. The Blue Jays will build him up slowly, but Bieber is on track to make his 2026 debut some time in June.

Interim manager Chad Tracy said Friday that Crochet (shoulder) will throw a bullpen session this weekend and live batting practice early next week, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Crochet has been sidelined since April 25 due to left shoulder inflammation, but he continues to check boxes in his rehab process and appears to be nearing a return to Boston's rotation. It's unclear if Crochet will go out on a rehab assignment or if the Red Sox will simply use live BP and simulated games to get his arm built back up for starts. It's been a rough start to the 2026 campaign for Crochet, who owns a 6.30 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 37:11 K:BB across his first 30 innings.

Interim manager Chad Tracy said Friday that Mayer will start at shortstop Sunday against the Twins and will see extended playing time at the position while Trevor Story (abdomen) recovers from sports hernia surgery, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

Story is expected to be sidelined 6-to-10 weeks following surgery Thursday, and the Red Sox have been using multiple players at shortstop this week. Nick Sogard is starting there Friday, and Andruw Monasterio and Isiah Kiner-Falefa have both seen action at the position. With Mayer kicking over from second base, those same players will likely fight for playing time at second. Mayer hasn't played shortstop at the major-league level since his first two career games last May.

Mitchell (back) is not in the lineup for Friday's game against the Dodgers.

Mitchell exited the Brewers' last game Wednesday versus the Cubs due to back tightness. With southpaw Justin Wrobleski toeing the rubber for the Dodgers, the left-handed-hitting Mitchell probably wasn't going to start Friday regardless, but it's unclear whether he'll be available off the bench. Jake Bauers, Jackson Chourio and Sal Frelick will form Milwaukee's outfield trio in Friday's series opener.

Crawford (triceps) is hitting leadoff and playing shortstop Friday against the Royals.

Crawford was scratched from the lineup Wednesday against the White Sox with a sore triceps, but he's back in there following Thursday's off day. With Crawford at shortstop, rookie Colt Emerson is playing third base and hitting ninth. Crawford is hitting just .210 this season but has a .358 on-base percentage.

Diaz (hand) is back in the lineup at designated hitter and hitting fourth Friday against the Yankees, Ryan Bass of Rays.tv reports.

Diaz was hit on the hand by a pitch Tuesday against the Orioles and was out of the lineup Wednesday ahead of Thursday's off day. He's now good to go against Gerrit Cole on Friday. Diaz has a current six-game hitting streak. He's gone 11-for-24 (.458) with three doubles, three homers, 10 RBI, seven runs scored and three walks during that span.