MLB Player News

With Tyler Freeman sustaining an oblique injury, Martínez will be called up to take his place as a versatile bench option for the ALDS. The switch-hitter bated just .232/.298/.338 with three home runs and three steals in 43 games this season, but he can hit from both sides of the plate and play most positions around the field, which makes him a solid bench option for the Guardians.

Kyle Leahy and Chris Paddack were Friday’s scheduled starters. It will be made up as the first game of a split doubleheader on Saturday.

Story was recently placed on the IL with the injury and was weighing whether to have the surgery. Tim Healey of the Boston Globe notes Story said last week that surgery would require 6-10 weeks to return. Andruw Monasterio and Isiah Kiner-Falefa have been filling in at shortstop with Story sidelined. It remains to be seen if Marcelo Mayer will shift from second base to shortstop now that it’s a confirmed multi-month absence. Manager Chad Tracy will address reporters later Friday as the Sox begin a weekend series versus the Twins.

The 22-year-old arrives to the majors having homered five times in his past five games. Valdez has been playing in the outfield corners this season, and Pittsburgh is expected to be without right fielder Ryan O’Hearn (quad) for multiple weeks. Billy Cook was optioned to Triple-A as a corresponding move.

Torres has been playing second base and the outfield for Triple-A Memphis this season. Nathan Church was placed on the 10-day injured list with a left shoulder strain as a corresponding move. Church had been a regular in the outfield for St. Louis, so there’s playing time available. José Fermín drew the start in left field on Thursday, a game Church missed.

Church had started 27 consecutive games in the outfield prior to missing Thursday’s contest with the injury. The Cardinals called up 28-year-old INF/OF Bryan Torres as a corresponding move.

Brown’s last start came on March 31, so he’ll likely need several rehab outings before he’s ready to rejoin the Houston rotation. He was diagnosed with a Grade 2 shoulder strain and given a two-month timeline to return. The Astros will surely welcome back their ace once he’s ready, as they enter Friday with the worst ERA in MLB. Brian McTaggart of MLB.com notes that Josh Hader (biceps) is scheduled to pitch in Sunday’s Double-A contest as well.

Joe had been filling the weak-side platoon role Victor Robles occupied to open the year. Robles (pec) had been sidelined since early April and was activated from the IL as a corresponding move.

Connor Joe was optioned to Triple-A Tacoma as a corresponding move. Robles has been sidelined since early April with a strained pec. He began the year in a weak-side platoon role with Luke Raley in right field. Joe had been filling that role lately, so expect Robles to slide right back into it. Seattle visits the Royals for a three-game set beginning Friday, with left-hander Noah Cameron set to toe the rubber for KC.

Michael Conforto will draw another start as the team’s designated hitter and bat sixth. Ballesteros had a stretch through early May where he was starting regularly against righties, often hitting second. He’s been in the lineup for just two of the past six they’ve faced, however. The decreased playing time comes as he’s hitting .034/.065/.034 over his past 31 plate appearances. Conforto, meanwhile, has posted some of the best expected stats in MLB this season.

Back tightness can be a tricky thing for hitters, given all the torque in swinging. While there’s no timeline yet for Shaw’s return, it is likely going to be a few weeks. This will give top prospect Pedro Ramirez a chance to establish himself as a worthwhile player to have on the active roster.