MLB Player News

The Astros will activate Blanco (elbow) from the 60-day injured list to start Monday's series opener against the Marlins in Houston, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Blanco will be making his 2026 debut for the Astros after completing his recovery from Tommy John surgery, which he underwent last June. The 32-year-old began a rehab assignment in mid-June and was able to build up to 4.1 innings and 68 pitches in his final outing at Triple-A Sugar Land last weekend. Overall, Blanco turned in a 1.06 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 13:6 K:BB in 17 innings over five starts with three different affiliates.

Manager Matt Quatraro said that Witt is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Padres due to back tightness, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

The 26-year-old went 0-for-4 with a strikeout while playing through the injury Saturday, and the Royals will be cautious with their All-Star shortstop. Witt should be considered day-to-day heading into Monday's series opener against San Francisco.

Pena (hamstring) is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Orioles, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Pena was pulled from Saturday's contest due to right hamstring cramps and will miss at least one start due to the injury. The veteran shortstop is still participating in baseball activities, per Rome, which could indicate that Pena will quickly rejoin the starting nine. Nick Allen is starting in his place and batting ninth Sunday.

Walker (hip) is absent from Sunday's lineup against Baltimore, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

After being removed early from Saturday's game due to right hip tightness, Walker will sit out of Sunday's series finale against Baltimore. Manager Joe Espada said that the 35-year-old is doing baseball activities and feeling better, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports. LaMonte Wade will play first base and bat cleanup for Houston on Sunday.

Contreras is absent from Milwaukee's lineup for their series finale against Miami on Sunday, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Contreras went 1-for-5 with an RBI double Saturday, but he will now take a seat for Sunday's game. Gary Sanchez will handle the catching duties and bat seventh for Milwaukee.

Turang (foot) is starting at second base and batting third Sunday against the Marlins, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

The 26-year-old was scratched from Saturday's lineup after fouling a pitch off his foot Friday, but he's been cleared to play after doing some running on the field pregame. Turang went 0-for-4 with a walk and a strikeout to open the second half Friday, but he's been productive at the plate in July with seven doubles, two homers, two steals, 12 RBI and seven runs through 12 games.

Carrigg is absent from Sunday's lineup against Cincinnati.

Carrigg will ride the bench for the second time during this three-game set against the Reds. Jake McCarthy will shift to center field in place of Carrigg.

Rodon (elbow) received a second round of injections after throwing about 10 pitches off a mound Friday and could progress to a full bullpen session this week, Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News reports.

Friday's round of shots appears to have been a scheduled part of his rehab program as he continues to work his way back from left elbow inflammation, which sent him to the injured list in late June. The 33-year-old is without an official timeline for his return, but it seems as though he could be back during the first half of August if he continues to progress with no setbacks.

Rutschman is absent from Sunday's lineup against Houston, Roch Kubatko of MASNsports.com reports.

Rutschman, who went 0-for-4 with a walk and a strikeout in Saturday's game, will ride the pine for the series finale. Samuel Basallo will be behind the plate and bat fifth for Baltimore.

Arroyo is out of the lineup for the series finale against Colorado on Sunday.

After being lifted for a pinch hitter in the seventh inning Saturday, Arroyo will ride the pine Sunday. Spencer Steer will man second base and bat cleanup for the Reds.