MLB Player News

Matthews is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Cubs.

Matthews is slashing just .197/.242/.328 with a 27.3 percent strikeout rate in May, and though the Astros lost Jose Altuve (oblique) to the injured list Monday, the recent activation of Jake Meyers has resulted in the struggling Matthews losing out on some playing time in center field. The 24-year-old will hit the bench for the second time in three games while the Astros go with Braden Shewmake at second base. In addition to the keystone and center, Matthews remains a candidate to see playing time in left field, though Houston also has Zach Cole and Zach Dezenzo as options there.

The Cardinals recalled Torres from Triple-A Memphis on Friday.

Torres is receiving his first big-league promotion a little more than a month shy of his 29th birthday. He's posted excellent numbers in the Cardinals' minor-league system the last three years, including a .336/.454/.477 slash line with two homers, 10 steals and a 29:25 BB:K in 2026. Capable of handling all three outfield spots and also second base, Torres could see some action in left field while Nathan Church (shoulder) is out.

The Mariners optioned Joe to Triple-A Tacoma on Friday.

With Victor Robles (pectoral) back from the injured list, Joe loses his spot on the 26-man roster. Joe has slashed .182/.308/.333 with one home run, three RBI, two runs scored, two stolen bases and a 6:11 BB:K across 39 plate appearances with Seattle.

Dezenzo is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Cubs.

The Astros will go with Zach Cole and Cam Smith as their corner outfielders for the series opener, ending Dezenzo's streak of six consecutive starts in left field during which the 26-year-old went 5-for-19 with a double, a walk and run. Though the Astros recently lost Jose Alutve (oblique) to the injured list, the returns of Jake Meyers and Jeremy Pena from the IL has left five players competing for three spots in the Houston lineup. Dezenzo, Cole, Smith and Brice Matthews are all in the mix for starts in the corner outfield, although Matthews is also battling Braden Shewmake for starts at second base.

The Mariners activated Robles (pectoral) from the 10-day injured list Friday.

In a corresponding move, Seattle optioned Connor Joe to Triple-A Tacoma. Robles hasn't played at the big-league level since April 6 due to a strained right pec. He appeared in 12 games with Tacoma on a rehab assignment and slashed .256/.389/.349 with four doubles, seven RBI, 10 runs scored, two stolen bases and a 9:13 BB:K across 54 plate appearances. He's likely to see most of his at-bats against lefties with the Mariners.

Webb (knee) is slated to make a rehab start at Triple-A Sacramento on Friday and expects to return from the 15-day injured list next week, Shayna Rubin of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Webb has been on the shelf since May 9 due to right knee bursitis, but after checking out fine following a bullpen session Tuesday, he's ready to test himself in a game setting. A Friday rehab start would position the right-hander to rejoin the big-league rotation as soon as next Wednesday versus the Diamondbacks in San Francisco. Once Webb is back in the fold, the Giants will have to decide whether to move forward with a six-man rotation, demote Trevor McDonald to Triple-A Sacramento or move one of Tyler Mahle or Adrian Houser to the bullpen.

The Astros selected Santa's contract from Triple-A Sugar Land on Friday.

To make room for the 23-year-old on the big-league roster, Jayden Murray was optioned to Triple-A. Santa will be looking to make his MLB debut during the Astros' weekend series at Wrigley Field. In 18 games with Sugar Land this season, he logged a 2.37 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 24:7 K:BB across 19 innings.

The Rangers signed Ross to a minor-league contract Friday, Jeff Wilson of AllDLLS.com reports.

Ross was released from his minor-league deal with the Diamondbacks earlier this week after he'd posted an ugly 19.64 ERA across three MLB games. In 12 games with Triple-A Reno, the veteran right-hander logged a 4.29 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 12:5 K:BB across 21 innings. Ross will provide organizational depth with Texas.

Kuhnel (1-1) earned the win in Thursday's 3-2 victory over the Angels. He allowed a hit and a walk with no strikeouts over a scoreless inning.

Kuhnel entered with the game tied in the ninth inning and allowed two Angels to reach base, but he was able to work out of the jam and send the contest to an extra inning, before the Athletics pushed across the winning run in the 10th. The right-hander has been solid this season and has put himself in the high-leverage mix, though he hasn't been given a save situation since April 20. Overall, Kuhnel owns a 2.41 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 10:5 K:BB with four saves and three holds across 18.2 innings.

The Giants selected Bericoto's contract from Triple-A Sacramento on Friday, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

The 24-year-old has put together a .299/.355/.449 slash line with six home runs over his first 43 contests with Sacramento this season. Bericoto is a corner outfielder and first baseman by trade, and he will be making his major-league debut when he gets into a game. It's unclear at this point what the Giants' corresponding roster move will be.