MLB Player News

Robert (spine) said Thursday that his back has been responding better in recent days and he expects to return before the end of this season, Chelsea Janes of SNY.tv reports.

Robert was administered a series of injections in late May to combat the lumbar spine disc herniation that's kept him out of commission since late April. Those injections seem to have helped, and he might be cleared to run on the field before the end of this week. However, a timetable for Robert's return remains fuzzy, and the outfielder conceded he might have to play with some discomfort when he does make it back.

Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said Thursday that Jansen (pelvis) remains on track to be activated from the 15-day injured list Friday, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

Hinch admitted that Jansen was "rusty" during his one and only rehab outing with Triple-A Toledo on Wednesday, yielding three earned runs while recording only two outs. However, the right pelvic inflammation that sent Jansen to the IL last month was not an issue, so the veteran reliever will return Friday in Cleveland when first eligible. Jansen has had an up-and-down 2026 campaign with a 4.80 ERA and four blown saves, but there's a good chance he'll get another opportunity to serve as the Tigers' primary closer.

Higashioka is not in the lineup for Thursday's tilt in Kansas City.

Higashioka started the first two games of the series at catcher, so he'll get a break during Thursday's afternoon tilt. Elias Diaz will be behind the dish and bat eighth for the Rangers.

Pederson (hip) is not in the lineup for Thursday's contest in Kansas City.

Pederson had to be lifted from Wednesday's game with left hip discomfort, so it's not a surprise he's not ready to play in Thursday's matinee. Whether Pederson will wind up requiring a stint on the injured list is unclear. Brandon Nimmo is getting a day at designated hitter for the Rangers, and Ezequiel Duran will play right field in the series finale.

The Twins announced June 1 that Festa (shoulder) has started a throwing progression, MLB.com reports.

Festa is expected to gradually increase his throwing distance off flat ground before advancing to mound work, perhaps at some point in the third or fourth week of June. Twins general manager Jeremy Zoll previously said in mid-May that Festa wasn't expected to return from the 60-day injured list until after the All-Star break, and that timeline would still appear to be accurate. Once Festa completes a series of bullpen sessions, he'll then need to face live hitters before heading out on an extended minor-league rehab assignment. The 26-year-old has been on the shelf all season after he was diagnosed with a right shoulder impingement early in spring training.

Waldschmidt is absent from the lineup for Thursday's contest in Miami.

It looks to be a routine day off for Waldschmidt, who had started each of the previous eight tilts. Jorge Barrosa will patrol center field and bat ninth as the Diamondbacks look to avoid the sweep.

Devers went 1-for-4 with a solo home run, a walk and an additional run scored in Wednesday's 11-10 win over the Nationals.

After going 0-for-11 in 14 plate appearances over his previous three games, Devers launched a home run to center field in the eighth inning and drew a walk in the ninth before coming around to score. The veteran infielder has struggled through 10 outings this month, batting .122 with seven runs scored, three RBI and two home runs across 48 plate appearances. Overall, he's slashing .233/.292/.415 with 33 runs scored, 33 RBI and nine long balls in 295 plate appearances this season.

Lugo's (head) CT scan came back negative.

Lugo was involved in a scary incident during Wednesday's outing versus the Rangers when he was struck in the forehead by a line drive off the bat of Brandon Nimmo. He got to his feet quickly and seemed alert but was pulled from the game. Per Anne Rogers of MLB.com, Lugo has some swelling on his forehead and his left (non-throwing) elbow is sore from falling, but the pitcher feels OK, all things considered. It looks like Lugo has dodged a serious injury and could make his next scheduled start Monday versus the Nationals, but he'll continue to be monitored in the coming days.

Roden (shoulder) has gone 4-for-9 with two doubles, four walks, one stolen base, one run and one RBI in three games between the rookie-level Florida Complex League and Single-A Fort Myers since beginning his rehab assignment last Saturday.

Roden remains on Triple-A St. Paul's 7-day injured list, but he looks to be closing in on a return to the Twins' top affiliate around the middle of June now that he's began taking part in game action in the lower levels of the minors. The 26-year-old outfielder produced an .889 OPS in 19 games with St. Paul before landing on the shelf April 24 due to a right shoulder labrum tear.

Isbel has been diagnosed with a Grade 3 tear of a portion of his left plantar fasciitis.

It's unclear what this means for Isbel's timetable or if he will undergo surgery, but the nature of the injury points to an extended absence. Isbel was placed on the 10-day injured list Wednesday and could be a candidate to eventually shift to the 60-day IL. Lane Thomas and Kameron Misner are in line for increased opportunities in center field for the Royals while Isbel is on the shelf.