MLB Player News

The Astros activated Bolton (back) from the 15-day injured list Thursday.

Bolton had been on the shelf since mid-April with mid-back inflammation, but he was cleared to join the big club ahead of Thursday's doubleheader with the Orioles after making a two-inning rehab start with Triple-A Sugar Land over the weekend. Though he had made starts in his last two appearances with Houston prior to landing on the IL, Bolton will likely slot into the bullpen for the time being and operate as a multi-inning option.

The Astros placed Weiss on the paternity list Thursday.

Weiss will be away from the team for 1-to-3 days while welcoming a new addition to the family. Cody Bolton (back) has been activated from the injured list and will replace Weiss on the active roster.

The Mets are expected to place Robert (back) on the 10-day injured list, Chelsea Janes of SNY.tv reports.

Robert hasn't played since Sunday because of lower-back tightness and had to undergo an MRI. The results of that imaging haven't been revealed, but things are trending toward the outfielder requiring some extended down time. Tyrone Taylor and MJ Melendez will see more action in the outfield for the Mets while Robert is sidelined.

Duran started at second base and went 2-for-2 with a walk, a double and two runs scored in Wednesday's 3-0 win over the Yankees.

Duran got the start in place of primary second baseman Josh Smith, who got the first of a "couple of days off," per Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News. Smith is scuffling with a slash line of .193/.306/.217 through 98 plate appearances. Meanwhile, Duran has been a useful fill-in at multiple positions and slashed .288/.354/.424 over 65 plate appearances.

Contreras went 2-for-4 with a solo home run in Wednesday's 8-1 loss to the Blue Jays.

Contreras' first-inning blast off Eric Lauer, his seventh homer this season, proved to be all the offense the Red Sox could muster Wednesday. Contreras has been one of Boston's few bright spots early this year -- he's gone 7-for-19 (.368) with three homers and a 1.330 OPS in his last five games, boosting his slash line to .262/.375/.486 with 20 RBI and 16 runs scored through his first 128 plate appearances.

Jones (elbow) struck out five over three perfect innings in his first rehab start with Single-A Bradenton on Wednesday.

Jones overwhelmed the A-ball hitters, regularly reaching 100 mph and hitting 101.1 mph on his final pitch of the first inning, per Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. The right-hander required only 41 pitches as he cruised through his three frames. It's a very encouraging first rehab outing for Jones, who is coming back from internal brace surgery that he had last May. Jones is on the 60-day injured list and thus not eligible for activation until late May, so he will continue to deliberately build up stamina before rejoining the Pirates' rotation in a few weeks.

Haggerty entered Wednesday's 3-0 win over the Yankees as a pinch runner, stayed in the game, and then went 1-for-1 with an RBI.

Haggerty replaced Brandon Nimmo (hamstring) and stayed in to play left field. Nimmo is expected to undergo testing, the results of which will inform Haggerty's role going forward. He hasn't played much in 2026, starting six times with just 25 at-bats over 18 games played.

Franco allowed three runs on four hits and one walk while striking out three over three relief innings in Wednesday's 13-2 loss to the Rockies.

The Reds bullpen had a lot of work to do when starter Brandon Williamson was removed after three innings with left shoulder fatigue. Franco, who was a starter at Triple-A Louisville, could slot into the rotation pending the results of Williamson's MRI, which is scheduled for Thursday. Aside from Franco, the Reds could also reach down to Louisville for Chase Petty, who was removed early from his start Wednesday for what appears to be a potential recall should Williamson be unavailable when his next turn in the rotation comes due Monday.

Petty struck out four batters and scattered two hits and three walks over 2.1 scoreless innings Wednesday in his start with Triple-A Louisville before exiting due to non-injury reasons, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

Petty appears to have been removed early after Cincinnati starter Brandon Williamson was pulled from his start Wednesday against the Rockies due to left shoulder fatigue. Petty, who threw 62 pitches in his outing, could end up entering the Cincinnati rotation if Williamson is moved to the injured list or is otherwise unable to make his next turn. Petty holds a 4.38 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 29:11 K:BB across 24.2 frames at Triple-A this season.

Ferguson (oblique) walked one and struck out one over a scoreless inning for Double-A Chattanooga on Tuesday.

Ferguson threw 14 pitches (seven strikes) in his first outing while on a rehab assignment with the Lookouts. The left-hander is expected to be used as an opener Friday before throwing out of the bullpen next week for Chattanooga, per MLB.com.