MLB Player News

Cole is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Twins.

The left-handed-hitting Cole will retreat to the bench for the second time in the series, this time sitting against right-hander Joe Ryan after he had been left out of the lineup Monday against southpaw Kendry Rojas. Though Jake Meyers recently returned from the injured list and will likely serve as Houston's everyday center fielder, playing time is up for grabs at the other two corner-outfield spots. Cole -- who has posted a .638 OPS in 14 games since being called up from Triple-A Sugar Land on May 4 -- will be vying for starts at either corner spot with Zach Dezenzo, Cam Smith and Brice Matthews.

Kiner-Falefa started at shortstop and went 3-for-3 with a walk and a run scored in Tuesday's 7-1 win over the Royals. He was also caught stealing.

Kiner-Falefa made his first start since May 5, filling in for the injured Trevor Story (groin), who could eventually decide to undergo surgery for a sports hernia. Kiner-Falefa has started just 14 of Boston's 48 games. He's in the mix with a slew of utility infielders that could fill in for Story or slumping infielders Caleb Durbin (.169) and Marcelo Mayer (.219).

Trammell (groin) began a rehab assignment with Double-A Corpus Christi on Tuesday, going 1-for-4 with a double.

It was Trammell's first game in a month, as he's been working his way back from a left groin strain. He shouldn't require too many more rehab at-bats before rejoining the Astros' active roster. Unfortunately for Trammell, with Jake Meyers back healthy, the former is likely looking at a reserve role.

Langford will undergo another strength test on his right forearm Wednesday and could begin swinging a bat by Friday, MLB.com reports.

This continues a string of good news for Langford, who has been out since April 21 and suffered a setback in an extended spring game. The grip test the outfielder must complete uses the baseline measure he posted during spring training as a threshold, per Shawn McFarland of the Dallas Morning News. If Langford's strength is at least 80 percent of what it was in camp, the Rangers will consider it a success and put a bat in his hands to begin a full ramp-up.

Kwan batted seventh and went 1-for-2 with a walk, a double, an RBI and a run scored in Tuesday's 4-3 win over the Tigers.

After years serving as the Guardians' primary leadoff batter, Kwan's early-season slump prompted a recent drop in the batting order. Over the last four games he's hit either sixth or seventh, and he's been an on-base machine, going 2-for-8 with eight walks and five runs scored. He's also provided the usual Gold Glove defense in left or center field. He told Tim Stebbins of MLB.com that his swing feels better, and he's being aggressive when appropriate. To Kwan's credit, the slump hasn't led to him chasing (91st percentile), and Kwan will take the free base (15.7 BB%) if pitchers aren't in the zone.

Trout went 1-for-3 with a home run, an additional RBI and two walks in a loss to the Athletics on Tuesday.

Trout produced the Angels' first run with a solo blast to center field in the third inning. The long ball was his first since May 5 -- a span of 12 games. Trout has been streaky this season, and he previously had a 13-game homerless stretch that was followed by a run of five long balls in four contests. That should provide hope that Trout can begin another productive stretch after entering Tuesday having gone 1-for-18 across his previous five games.

Duran went 2-for-3 with a three-run home run, a double, two walks, a stolen base and an additional run scored in Tuesday's 7-1 win over the Royals.

Duran reached base in four of his five plate appearances, walking in his first two trips before doubling in the fifth inning and later launching a 366-foot three-run homer in the eighth to put the game away. The homer was his fifth of the season, and his stolen base gave him 10 on the year. After a power surge earlier in May, Duran had cooled off significantly entering Tuesday, batting just .125 with a 5:16 BB:K over his previous 12 games.

Gelof went 3-for-5 with a home run, two total runs and three total RBI against the Angels in a 14-6 rout Tuesday.

Gelof knocked in two runs with a single in the third inning and then hit a solo homer in the seventh. He made his 12th straight start at third base after previously spending most of his time this season in the outfield or at second base. Gelof is getting everyday at-bats due to injuries to Max Muncy (hand) and Jacob Wilson (shoulder), but he may be earning himself a permanent role in the lineup even when the club is healthy. Through 16 contests in May, Gelof is batting .293 with five homers, 12 runs, 12 RBI and two stolen bases.

Nimmo went 3-for-4 with a home run, three total runs and three total RBI in a 10-0 win against the Rockies on Tuesday.

Nimmo notched a run-scoring single in the second inning and drove in two more runs with a 425-foot homer in the fourth. The outfielder finished with three hits for the fourth time this season and knocked in three runs for the second time. Nimmo's big night may have broken him out of a slump that saw him go 1-for-20 at the plate over his previous five games coming into Tuesday.

Varsho went 4-for-5 with a steal and a run scored during the Blue Jays' 5-4 loss to the Yankees on Tuesday.

Varsho posted a career high in hits Tuesday, all of which were singles. He's recorded at least two hits in three of his last four games, improving his season slash line to .278/.346/.438 with four steals, five home runs and 15 RBI in 179 plate appearances.