MLB Player News

Freeman (neck) will begin a rehab assignment in the rookie-level Arizona Complex League on Monday.

Freeman has been cleared for game action after requiring surgery in late June to repair a herniated disc in his neck. He should eventually continue his rehab assignment at a higher-level affiliate, but the 25-year-old won't be guaranteed to rejoin the major-league roster once he's activated from the 10-day injured list.

Gonzalez is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Yankees.

The left-handed-hitting Gonzalez will retreat to the bench Monday while the Yankees send southpaw Ryan Weathers to the bump for the series opener. Since being acquired from the White Sox on July 10, Gonzalez has made both of his starts at shortstop and has gone 3-for-10 with a home run, a double, three RBI and two runs through his first four games with the Pirates.

Mangum is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Yankees.

The switch-hitting Mangum has been much more effective against right-handers (104 wRC+) than lefties (83 wRC+) over his first two big-league seasons, so he'll hit the bench Monday while the Yankees send southpaw Ryan Weathers to the bump. With Mangum taking a seat, Billy Cook will receive the start in center field and will bat ninth.

The Astros activated Sousa (elbow) from the 60-day injured list Monday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Sousa has been sidelined since early May while dealing with left elbow inflammation, but he's been cleared to return after yielding just one unearned run in five rehab outings. The southpaw was a revelation out of the Houston bullpen in 2025, turning in a 2.84 ERA and 59:15 K:BB over 50.2 innings.

The Astros activated Blanco (elbow) from the 60-day injured list Monday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Blanco will start Monday's game versus the Marlins, marking his first time on a big-league mound since he underwent Tommy John surgery with an internal brace last June. The 32-year-old right-hander went 4.1 innings and threw 68 pitches in his final rehab outing, so he will be relatively limited from a workload perspective as he takes on Miami.

Pena (hamstring) will start at shortstop and bat leadoff in Monday's game against the Marlins, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Pena will make his return to the starting nine after the Astros opted to keep him on the bench for Sunday's 5-2 loss to the Orioles while he managed a right hamstring cramp. Since coming off the injured list July 10 after he had been shelved with a calf strain, Pena has gone 5-for-17 (.294 average) with two walks, three runs and one RBI in five games.

The Astros optioned Delgado to Triple-A Sugar Land on Monday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Delgado was recalled and started at second base in Sunday's loss to the Orioles, but he finds himself back in the minors a day later. He'll be used as a utility infielder at Sugar Land.

Higashioka is not in the lineup for Monday's game against the White Sox.

Higashioka will get some rest after starting at catcher each of the last two days. Elias Diaz will be behind the dish for the Rangers in Monday's series opener.

The Orioles placed Rutschman on the 10-day injured list Monday due to left wrist inflammation.

Rutschman will head to the IL for the third time this season, after he was previously deactivated in April due to left ankle inflammation and in June due to a concussion. With Samuel Basallo (shoulder) also day-to-day, the Orioles called up Sam Huff from Triple-A Norfolk on Sunday and Chadwick Tromp from Norfolk on Monday to provide some insurance behind the plate. Rutschman will be eligible to return from the shelf July 29.

Semien is not in the lineup for Monday's contest versus the Brewers.

Semien is 0-for-9 with five strikeouts since coming off the injured list last week, and this is the second time in four games that he's been absent from the lineup. Brett Baty will occupy second base and bat eighth for the Mets.