MLB Player News

Rasmussen (7-5) took the loss Thursday against the Yankees, allowing six runs on seven hits and no walks in 2.1 innings. He struck out two.

The third inning was a disastrous one for Rasmussen, who managed just one out and was touched up for each of his season-worst six runs in the frame. The seven hits allowed matched a season high, and the 30-year-old right-hander came away with his shortest outing of the campaign, as well. Rasmussen, who has coughed up 11 runs in his two July starts after yielding only three across five June appearances, seems to be heading into the All-Star break at the right time, holding what's still a strong 3.26 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 98:17 K:BB over 99.1 innings.

The Brewers reinstated Henderson (back) from the injured list ahead of his start Thursday against the Cardinals, Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Henderson has been out of action since late May due to a strained back, but he was given the green light to return to the majors Thursday after giving up two runs while striking out 11 batters in 6.1 innings across two rehab outings at Triple-A Nashville. He built up to just 68 pitches during his final appearance in the minors, so he'll likely have a workload restriction in place during his first start back with the Brewers, but he still offers plenty of upside after posting a 2.74 ERA and 1.04 WHIP in 23 frames during his first five starts of the year. Garrett Stallings was optioned to Nashville in a corresponding move.

Dingler (thumb) is not in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Athletics.

Dingler had to exit Wednesday's game after a foul tip caught him in the right thumb. X-rays came back clean, and Dingler said Thursday that he's feeling "10 times better" a day after the injury, per Logan Reever of Detroit SportsNet. Dingler will avoid the 10-day injured list and is considered day-to-day as he waits for the swelling in his thumb to subside. Jake Rogers is catching for the Tigers on Thursday, and Eduardo Valencia has been called up for depth behind the plate.

Diaz isn't in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Angels.

Diaz will retreat to the bench Thursday after going 2-for-7 with a pair of strikeouts through the first two games of the series. Kyle Higashioka will replace him as the Rangers' backstop and bat seventh.

Jung (knee) will start at third base and bat fourth Thursday against the Angels.

Knee discomfort has kept Jung out of the starting nine for Texas' last three games, but the issue appears to have subsided ahead of Thursday's series finale. The 28-year-old will aim to finish the first half strong after going 10-for-28 (.357) with a homer, three RBI and four runs scored in his last seven games before getting hurt.

The Rangers optioned Smith to Triple-A Round Rock on Thursday.

Smith went 6-for-21 with a home run and a triple in six games since returning from an earlier stint in the minors, but it wasn't enough to keep him from getting sent back down. The transaction clears a spot on the active roster for the return of Wyatt Langford from the injured list.

The Rangers activated Langford (hamstring) from the 10-day injured list Thursday.

Langford is skipping a rehab assignment and will go directly back onto the Rangers' active roster after missing just shy of two weeks due to a strained left hamstring. He will serve as the designated hitter and bat second in Thursday's game against the Angels.

Kurtz (illness) will serve as the designated hitter and bat second during Thursday's game against the Tigers.

Kurtz was pulled from Wednesday's game in the second inning after he came down with an illness, but he's feeling well enough to return to the starting nine for Thursday's series finale. The 23-year-old has fallen into a minor cold spell at the plate recently, going 0-for-14 with seven strikeouts across his last four contests.

Taylor went 2-for-3 with a solo home run and a double in Thursday's 7-3 win over Kansas City.

Taylor entered in the third inning after Mark Vientos (hand) was forced out of the game. The outfielder certainly made the most of the opportunity, tying the game 2-2 with a 380-foot shot off Michael Wacha in the fifth inning for his sixth homer of the year. Taylor has swung the bat well in nine games following a month-long stint on the IL, going 7-for-17 (.412) with three homers. Overall, he's slashing .219/.246/.421 with 17 RBI and 14 runs scored across 122 plate appearances this season.

Meyer will not start Sunday's game against the Guardians as the Marlins give him extra rest heading into the All-Star break, Kevin Barral of FishonFirst.com reports.

Sunday is Meyer's turn through the rotation, but the Marlins will instead go with a bullpen game that day. Meyer is healthy but has already logged 108 innings -- he's closing in on his professional high of 115 frames -- and the club wants to be careful with his workload. The right-hander was selected to the NL All-Star team but will not pitch in the Midsummer Classic, either. Meyer finishes the first half with a 9-1 record, 2.58 ERA and 116:38 K:BB.