MLB Player News

Manager Joe Espada said Tuesday that Alvarez has a "pretty significant" left ankle sprain and will be "out for a while," though the Astros won't be placing him on the injured list, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

The description of the injury makes it sound as though Alvarez could be done for the rest of the regular season, but Houston apparently wants to keep their options open with the slugger rather than place him on the IL. Should the Astros change their mind and backdate an IL move, Alvarez might still be able to play in a series against the Angels on the final weekend. Regardless of the 28-year-old's roster status, Alvarez won't be back in the lineup in the immediate future.

Reds manager Terry Francona said Tuesday that Steer (neck) "feels great" after getting a chiropractic adjustment, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Steer was scratched from Monday's lineup in St. Louis due to neck spasms and remains out of the lineup Tuesday, but it sounds like he could be available off the bench. Sal Stewart is receiving a fourth straight start at first base Tuesday.

Lugo (back) did not respond well to his bullpen session Monday, so he will be shut down for a few more days, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Lugo was looking at a possible return in the middle of the week, but Cole Ragans is set to start Wednesday and Stephen Kolek will now take the mound Thursday. Given the setback, Lugo's next start may not come until next week, if he's able to return at all before the end of the regular season.

Manager Pat Murphy said Tuesday that he expects Mears (back) to return from the injured list Wednesday, Jack Stern of BrewerFanatic.com reports.

Lingering back tightness sent Mears to the injured list in early September, but he now seems to be ready to return to Milwaukee's bullpen without embarking on a rehab assignment. The 28-year-old righty owns a career-best 3.42 ERA and 0.91 WHIP through 52.2 innings on the year, and he'll likely be used in high-leverage situations with Trevor Megill (elbow) is still on the shelf, although Abner Uribe remains the top option for save chances.

Baldwin (hip) is starting in center field and batting ninth Tuesday against the Orioles.

Baldwin hasn't seen the field since Friday due to a hip issue but is ready to return. The 25-year-old was in the midst of a 2-for-21 slump prior to the injury.

Megill (elbow) will be reevaluated Tuesday after feeling soreness following a live batting practice session, Jack Stern of BrewerFanatic.com reports.

Megill felt soreness in his pitching elbow after a bullpen session last week as well. Despite that setback, he was cleared to faced hitters, but given the lingering issues, his return doesn't appear imminent. Abner Uribe has recorded three saves since Megill's last appearance in late August, with Jared Koenig and Aaron Ashby also picking up one each.

The Angels selected Kieboom's contract from Triple-A Salt Lake, and he's starting at first base and batting seventh Tuesday against the Brewers.

The 28-year-old inked a minor-league deal with the Angels in February and will receive a look in the majors with less than two weeks left in the regular season. Kieboom has an .817 OPS with nine homers and 11 steals in 93 contests with Salt Lake this year and is getting his first game action in the big leagues since 2023.

Hall (oblique) threw a bullpen session Tuesday, Jack Stern of BrewerFanatic.com reports.

He'll have another mound session later this week. Out since mid-August with a strained right oblique, Hall hopes to return before the conclusion of the regular season.

Vierling has been pulled off his rehab assignment due to renewed soreness in his left oblique, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Vierling is undergoing further evaluation before the Tigers determine the next steps for him. With less than two weeks remaining in the regular season, a return for Vierling before the end of the month seems unlikely. He's been sidelined since early August and has been limited to only 31 games this season due to various injuries.

The Rangers optioned Curvelo to Triple-A Round Rock on Tuesday.

He's being sent out to accommodate the return of Danny Coulombe. Curvelo has posted a 5.50 ERA and 19:10 K:BB over 18 frames out of the Rangers' bullpen this season.