MLB Player News

Greene (elbow) is slated to begin a rehab assignment Thursday in the rookie-level Arizona Complex League, Charlie Goldsmith of Fox 19 Now Cincinnati reports.

On the shelf all season while recovering from March 11 surgery to remove bone chips from his right elbow, Greene has now been cleared for a rehab stint after completing a series of bullpen sessions and live throwing sessions over the past few weeks. Due to the length of his absence, Greene could need most of his 30-day rehab window to get fully stretched out, though manager Terry Francona said earlier this month that the right-hander is expected to return from the 60-day injured list at some point prior to the All-Star break.

The Guardians designated Valera for assignment Sunday, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.

Valera will cede his spot on the 40-man roster to infielder Gabriel Arias (hamstring), who was reinstated from the 60-day injured list. The 25-year-old Valera provided a lowly .534 OPS over 13 games during a two-week stint in the big leagues back in April and has produced a .276/.367/.417 slash line with four home runs and three steals across 150 plate appearances with Triple-A Columbus on the season. He could attract interest via waivers from organizations looking to bolster their outfield depth.

The Royals placed Pasquantino (hand) on the 10-day injured list Sunday due to a right hamate fracture.

The 28-year-old sustained the injury during Saturday's game against the Astros and now seems likely to be sidelined at least through the All-Star break, though he's currently without an official timeline for his return. Jac Caglianone replaced Pasquantino at first base Saturday and is also occupying the position in Sunday's series finale while John Rave was called up from Triple-A Omaha to bolster Kansas City's bench.

The Guardians reinstated Arias (hamstring) from the 60-day injured list Sunday, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.

Arias served as the primary shortstop to begin the season and posted a .683 OPS over 10 games before landing on the IL due to a hamstring strain, but he's likely to fill a utility role upon his return now that standout rookie Travis Bazzana has settled into an everyday role at the keystone, with Brayan Rocchio established at shortstop. Arias could see most of his playing time at third base while Jose Ramirez (hand) is sidelined due to a hamate bone fracture, but he'll be competing for reps with Daniel Schneemann.

The Guardians placed Ramirez (hand) on the 10-day injured list Sunday, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.

The move was a foregone conclusion after the seven-time All-Star was diagnosed with a left hamate bone fracture following Saturday's game. Cleveland reinstated Gabriel Arias (wrist) from the 60-day IL in a corresponding move, and he and Daniel Schneemann are likely to be the primary options at third base while Ramirez is sidelined. The Guardians haven't provided an official target date for Ramirez's return, but recovery timelines for hamate bone fractures typically range from four to eight weeks.

Mikolas is expected to pitch in bulk relief behind opener PJ Poulin in Sunday's game against the Mariners, Kyle Williams of TheBanner.com reports.

Mikolas will be making his sixth straight appearance as a bulk reliever, this time working behind Poulin after lefty Richard Lovelady served as the Nationals' opener in Mikolas' previous turn through the rotation. The veteran right-hander has gone 0-2 with a 4.32 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 14:3 K:BB in 25 innings over his last five outings.

Duran went 1-for-5 with a two-run home run in Saturday's 6-3 win over the Rangers.

The Rangers made it a one-run game in the top of the eighth inning before Duran put it out of reach with a two-run blast in the bottom of the frame. The homer was 11th of the season for Duran, who clubbed nine during the month of May but entered Saturday batting .158 (6-for-38) with one RBI over his first nine games in June.

Poulin will serve as the Nationals' opener for Sunday's game against the Mariners, Kyle Williams of TheBanner.com reports.

Poulin will draw his eighth start of the season, and just like on the previous seven occasions, he's expected to cover no more than two innings. Miles Mikolas is slated to work in bulk relief behind Poulin.

Rafaela went 2-for-4 with two RBI in Saturday's 6-3 win over Texas.

Rafaela delivered a two-out, two-run single in the seventh inning which turned out to be the game-winning hit. He continued a productive stretch and is 15-for-41 (.366) with two home runs and nine RBI over 10 games since the calendar flipped to June.

The Reds optioned Higgins to Triple-A Louisville on Sunday.

With backup catcher Jose Trevino (hamstring) returning from the injured list, Higgins was no longer needed as a depth option behind top backstop Tyler Stephenson. Following his May 17 promotion from Louisville, Higgins saw action in just eight games for the Reds and slashed .250/.294/.313 with three RBI and one run across 20 plate appearances.