MLB Player News

The Guardians activated Valera (calf) from the 10-day injured list Monday.

Out since Opening Day with a left calf strain, Valera slashed .294/.325/.500 with two home runs and a 3:3 BB:K in eight rehab games with Triple-A Columbus. Valera will likely push Angel Martinez for playing time in the outfield, though manager Stephen Vogt could stick with Martinez for the time being while the latter is swinging a hot bat. Valera will be on the bench Monday for the Guardians' series opener versus the Cardinals.

Saggese is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Guardians.

Nathan Church will replace Saggese in the starting nine after the 24-year-old had been included in the lineup in nine of the previous 10 contests while seeing time at three different positions. Saggese owns a .614 OPS on the season, but he slashed .350/.381/.450 over his last six games.

Manzardo is not in the lineup for Monday's contest in St. Louis.

The Guardians are facing a lefty for the sixth time in their last eight games, and Manzardo has been out of the lineup for five of those tilts versus southpaws. Rhys Hoskins will play first base and David Fry will serve as the designated hitter against Matthew Liberatore.

Waldichuk, who was placed on the 15-day injured list earlier Monday, is set to receive a second medical opinion on his left forearm injury after a doctor recommended him for Tommy John surgery, Mark Zuckerman of NatsJournal.com reports.

Waldichuk previously underwent the procedure in May 2024, resulting in him missing that entire season before he returned to action in the minors last June. The southpaw struggled at the Triple-A level in 2025 but was able to make enough of an impression in spring training to secure a spot in the Nationals' Opening Day bullpen, only to go down with the forearm injury during his appearance in Sunday's win over the Brewers. Given the lengthy recovery timeline for Tommy John surgery along with the murky track record of pitchers who have had the procedure twice, Waldichuk is likely eager to avoid another operation and hoping that treating the injury with rest and rehab is a feasible option. Regardless of what treatment plan he ultimately chooses, Waldichuk appears to be headed for an extended absence.

DeLauter is absent from the lineup for Monday's game in St. Louis.

The left-handed-hitting DeLauter was in the lineup each of the last three times the Guardians faced a left-hander, but he'll take a seat Monday as the Cardinals send southpaw Matthew Liberatore to the bump. Angel Martinez will start in right field and bat second for Cleveland.

Kreidler will start at third base and bat ninth in Monday's contest versus the Red Sox.

Kreidler has now started both games against lefties since being recalled over the weekend. He and Tristan Gray should continue to form a platoon at third base while Royce Lewis (knee) is sidelined.

Ballesteros is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Phillies.

After a string of five consecutive starts, the left-handed-hitting Ballesteros will take a seat while the Cubs face a tough lefty (Cristopher Sanchez) in the series opener in Philadelphia. Seiya Suzuki will get a day off from playing the outfield and will step in as the Cubs' designated hitter in place of Ballesteros.

Johnson (illness) was removed from an extended spring training start Monday after tossing just two pitches, Jesus Cano of Baseball America reports.

Johnson landed on the 15-day injured list one week ago due to a viral infection. It's unclear whether he might still be feeling under the weather or if he had an unrelated setback Monday. The Angels should have an update on Johnson's condition soon.

Busch is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Phillies.

Though Busch broke a 0-for-30 drought at the plate a pinch-hit RBI single in Sunday's 7-6 win over the Pirates, he'll open a second straight game on the bench. With southpaw Cristopher Sanchez on the bump for the Phillies, the Cubs will add an extra right-handed bat to the lineup and deploy Carson Kelly at first base in place of the left-handed-hitting Busch.

Pushard (knee) will head to Triple-A Memphis on Tuesday to begin a rehab assignment, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

Pushed tossed a 20-pitch bullpen session Sunday and came out of it with no issues, clearing the way for him to pitch in rehab games. The rookie reliever is working his way back from right knee patellar tendinitis.