Dodgers' skipper Dave Roberts told reporters on Friday that Daniel Hudson (knee) could join the team's bullpen next weekend.
Hudson will head to the team's spring training complex in Arizona where he's set to throw an inning on Tuesday. If all goes well with that session, he'll finally be cleared to make his regular season debut. The 36-year-old hurler will give the Dodgers another high-leverage arm to add to their late-game bullpen mix.
José Abreu is not in the Astros' starting lineup for the second consecutive game on Friday.
There's no word yet about the veteran first baseman dealing with any sort of injury, but it's odd to see him sit for two straight games -- especially when the team had an off-day on Thursday as well. Mauricio Dubon will draw another start at first base and bat second for the Astros on Friday night against Emmet Sheehan and the Dodgers.
Robert Suarez (elbow) threw another successful bullpen session on Friday.
The right-hander is expected to be cleared to face live hitters within the next few days as he continues his recovery from right elbow tightness. After doing so a few times, he would then progress to a minor league rehab assignment. As long as he avoids any setbacks, it's possible that Suarez could be ready to join the Padres' bullpen around the All-Star break.
Luis Campusano (thumb) is scheduled to catch a bullpen session on Saturday.
Padres' skipper Bob Melvin called the development a "significant" step in his recovery from left thumb surgery. He has also been taking full swings without issue. The 24-year-old backstop is expected to be sidelined until after the All-Star break.
Rockies placed LHP Brent Suter on the 15-day injured list with a left oblique strain.
It's not clear how long exactly the Rockies expect Suter to be sidelined for, but oblique injuries can be tricky and tend to linger for at least a few weeks. The 33-year-old hurler has been one of the top performers in the Rockies' bullpen this season -- posting a stellar 2.81 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and a 33/14 K/BB ratio over 41 2/3 innings. Noah Davis was recalled from Triple-A Albuquerque in a corresponding move on Friday.
Rockies recalled RHP Noah Davis from Triple-A Albuquerque.
Davis had just been optioned out on Wednesday, but he'll rejoin the big league club with Brent Suter (oblique) landing on the injured list on Friday. Davis has struggled in four starts with the Rockies this season, posting an 0-2 record, 7.47 ERA and a 1.92 WHIP across 15 2/3 innings. It goes without saying that Davis is not a recommended streaming option for fantasy purposes.
Max Muncy (hamstring) will not be activated from the injured list prior to Friday's battle against the Astros.
The Dodgers had been hopeful that Muncy would be able to return on Friday, but it sounds like he needs at least another day or two to recover from his left hamstring strain. Michael Busch will draw a start at the hot corner on Friday night and bat ninth against J.P. France and the Astros.
Tim Anderson (shoulder) was held out of the White Sox' starting lineup for the fifth consecutive game on Friday.
Even after Thursday's off-day, Anderson isn't ready to give it a go on Friday night against the Red Sox. At this point, the White Sox may just enjoy playing short-handed as a trip to the injured list would now seem almost pointless. Elvis Andrus will draw another start at the shortstop position while Zach Remillard will cover second base and bat eighth against Brayan Bello and the Red Sox.
According to Rock Riley of the Tampa Free Press, Wander Franco is not at Tropicana Field for Friday's contest against the Royals.
When Riley asked Rays' skipper Kevin Cash about whether or not Franco will still be able to return to the team's starting lineup on Saturday, he simply responded with "we'll see". It's unclear if Franco was given permission to step away and not attend Friday's game, or if he's doing so on his own as another way to express his frustration. I guess we'll have to wait and see what Saturday's lineup card looks like.
Pirates optioned OF Cal Mitchell to Triple-A Indianapolis.
The 24-year-old's stay with the big league club lasted just four days this time around, as he's being sent out to open up a roster spot for the highly-anticipated promotion of Nick Gonzales. Mitchell will continue to bide his time at Triple-A until he's called upon once more.
Pirates transferred RHP Vince Velasquez to the 60-day injured list.
The right-hander underwent season-ending surgery on his right elbow in early June, so this move was inevitable. It was made on Friday in order to free up a spot for top prospect Nick Gonzales to join the 40-man roster ahead of Friday's series opener against the Marlins.
Royals placed INF/OF Matt Beaty on the 7-day concussion injured list, retroactive to June 22.
Beaty suffered the injury in a collision with teammate Samad Taylor during Wednesday's game. It's not clear yet how long he'll be sidelined for. Nate Eaton was recalled from Triple-A Omaha in a corresponding move to add depth to the Royals bench.
Astros transferred RHP José Urquidy to the 60-day injured list.
Nothing has changed in Urquidy's prognosis, this was done as a procedural move to free up a spot on the team's 40-man roster for Spenser Watkins who was acquired from the Orioles on Friday. The right-hander is tentatively expected to face live hitters for the first time next week and won't be ready to rejoin the big league rotation until after the All-Star break.
Astros transferred OF Michael Brantley to the 60-day injured list.
Brantley continues to make progress in his recovery from off-season shoulder surgery and has started taking live batting practice on the field over the past week. There's still no clear timetable for when he'll start a minor league rehab assignment though. This was done primarily as a procedural move to free up a spot on the team's 40-man roster for Bligh Madris on Friday.
Phillies re-signed LHP Michael Plassmeyer to a minor league contract.
He was then placed on the 7-day injured list at Triple-A Lehigh Valley. The 26-year-old southpaw had been released by the club earlier in the week. Plassmeyer holds a 6.95 ERA, 1.68 WHIP and a 47/21 K/BB ratio over 44 innings at Triple-A Lehigh Valley on the season.
Royals recalled INF/OF Nate Eaton from Triple-A Omaha.
Eaton was just optioned to Triple-A Omaha a week ago, but he'll return before the 10 days are through with Matt Beaty (concussion) landing on the injured list. The 26-year-old had hit a cringe-worthy .058/.109/.058 in 52 at-bats with the Royals this season, but he brings speed, defense and a viable right-handed arm out of the bullpen in a pinch.
Astros acquired RHP Spenser Watkins from the Orioles for cash considerations.
The 30-year-old hurler had been designated by assignment by the Orioles earlier in the week. Watkins has spent the entire 2023 season at Triple-A Norfolk where he registered a 7.27 ERA, 1.92 WHIP and a 20/17 K/BB ratio over 26 innings in his eight appearances (six starts). He'll add rotation depth for the Astros.
Jarren Duran is not in the Red Sox' starting lineup for Friday's series opener against the White Sox in Chicago.
It's the second time in the last four games that Duran finds himself out of the Red Sox' lineup against right-handed hurlers, which is mildly concerning. Rob Refsnyder will start in his place in center field and will bat leadoff against Lucas Giolito and the White Sox on Friday.
Red Sox placed INF Pablo Reyes on the 10-day injured list with an abdominal strain.
Reyes missed a few games with the issue before returning to the Red Sox' lineup on Thursday -- only to leave after his first at-bat after aggravating the injury. He'll take a couple of weeks off to ensure that it fully heals this time around. Bobby Dalbec was recalled from Triple-A Worcester in a corresponding move on Friday.
Red Sox recalled INF Bobby Dalbec from Triple-A Worcester.
With Pablo Reyes (abdomen) landing on the injured list on Friday, Dalbec will get another opportunity to function as infield depth for the Red Sox. The 27-year-old has been outstanding at Triple-A Worcester this season -- slashing .296/.414/.638 with 18 homers, 42 RBI and nine stolen bases in 54 games.