MLB Player News

Reds manager Terry Francona said Friday that an MRI showed De La Cruz's right hamstring strain to be 90 percent healed, Charlie Clifford of NBC 5 Cincinnati reports.

The Reds will make a decision Sunday on the next steps for De La Cruz, who could need a brief rehab assignment before returning to the active roster. De La Cruz has been sidelined for all of June with his hamstring injury, but fantasy managers could get him back at some point next week.

The Blue Jays recalled Schneider from Triple-A Buffalo on Friday.

The 27-year-old was optioned to Buffalo in late April but will return to the big club Friday since Daulton Varsho (wrist) is headed to the injured list. Schneider has struggled to a .127/.295/.211 slash line and 34.8 percent strikeout rate in 89 major-league plate appearances this year. He was more productive during his stint at Triple-A with a .769 OPS, though that came as the result of a .188 average and a ridiculous 24:8 BB:K in 14 games.

The Blue Jays designated Heineman for assignment Friday.

Alejandro Kirk (thumb) is back from the injured list, and the Blue Jays have elected to keep Brandon Valenzuela around as his backup rather than Heineman. Heineman is hitting only .154/.205/.205 this season and could clear waivers, though if that happens he would have the ability to elect free agency.

The Blue Jays placed Varsho on the 10-day injured list Friday, retroactive to June 10, with left wrist inflammation.

It's been a week since Varsho started a game, though he has appeared off the bench a few times during that stretch. Ultimately, the outfielder was unable to avoid a trip to the IL, and he will be eligible to return June 20. Myles Straw and Nathan Lukes should handle center field for Toronto while Varsho is out.

The Blue Jays activated Kirk (thumb) from the 60-day injured list Friday.

A broken left thumb sent Kirk to the injured list just five games into the season, but he's ready to rejoin the Blue Jays after fully recovering from surgery to repair the fracture. The 27-year-old went 3-for-18 with a homer and a double during his six-game rehab assignment and should immediately reclaim the starting job behind the plate for Toronto. Brandon Valenzuela will fill the backup job with Tyler Heineman being designated for assignment as part of Friday's transactions.

Nunez is absent from the lineup for Friday's contest versus the Mariners.

Nunez will take a seat in the series opener after starting the Nationals' last three games and six of the last seven tilts. Jorbit Vivas will hold down second base for the Nationals.

Taveras is not in the lineup for Friday's game against the Padres.

The re-emergence of Colton Cowser has started to cut into Taveras' playing time a bit, as this is the third time he's been out of the lineup over the last 10 games. Cowser is in center field and Tyler O'Neill will play right field Friday for the Orioles.

The Guardians recalled Espino from Triple-A Columbus on Friday, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.

Espino was one of the top pitching prospects in all of baseball a few years ago, but his career has been sidetracked by injuries, including a pair of shoulder surgeries. He's moved to the bullpen this season and has finally earned a call-up after collecting a 5.30 ERA and 29:15 K:BB over 18.2 innings with Columbus.

Gasper will start at designated hitter and bat leadoff in Friday's contest versus the Rangers.

Regular leadoff man Jarren Duran has been moved down to the No. 5 spot in the Boston lineup. Gasper is making his sixth straight start, but he's just 2-for-19 at the dish in the first five of those contests.

Duran will start in left field and bat fifth in Friday's game against the Rangers.

It's the first time since April 25 that Duran has batted anywhere other than leadoff. After a strong showing in May during which he put up a .879 OPS with nine home runs and five stolen bases, Duran is just 5-for-33 with no homers, one steal and a 0:14 BB:K so far in June. Mickey Gasper is batting leadoff for the Red Sox on Friday.