MLB Player News

Melton (ankle) is expected to be out of action for at least four weeks, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports.

Melton suffered a Grade 2 left ankle sprain in a minor-league game Tuesday, and he could be sidelined for as much as six weeks. The timetable for a return likely means the 25-year-old outfielder will be on the shelf until at least some point in late May. Melton, one of Tampa Bay's top prospects, was slashing .231/.346/.431 with 10 extra-base hits, 10 RBI, 13 runs scored and 17 stolen bases over 82 plate appearances for Triple-A Durham before going down.

Lukes will receive an MRI on his left hamstring after leaving Friday's game against Cleveland, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

Lukes felt discomfort in his hamstring after hitting a leadoff double in the first inning of Friday's contest, causing him to come out of the game early. Manager John Schneider said after the game that Lukes compared his soreness to that of a cramp, but the Jays will still have him undergo imaging to make sure he isn't dealing with any structural damage. More will be known regarding his injury when the results come back Saturday, and Myles Straw could pick up starts in the outfield if Lukes sits out a game or two.

Lukes was removed from Friday's game against the Guardians with left hamstring discomfort, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

Lukes hit a double to lead off the first inning but apparently tweaked his hamstring while running and was replaced on the bases immediately afterward. The severity of his injury remains unknown, but if he ends up needing to miss additional time, Myles Straw would be in line to make extra starts in the outfield.

Springer (toe) is hitting on the field and running ahead of Friday's game against the Guardians and could return to running the bases within the next few days, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Blue Jays manager John Schneider indicated on MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM earlier Friday that Springer could be reinstated from the IL "maybe just even [in] a day or two," but that never appeared to be a likely possibility. The veteran slugger is already eligible to be reinstated to the active roster, but he'll need some more time to complete his running program. It also remains to be seen if Springer will require a brief rehab assignment before being activated.

Benintendi is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Nationals.

The veteran outfielder has a .923 OPS with two doubles and two homers over his past six games, but he'll take a seat against a right-handed starter (Miles Mikolas) on Friday for just the second time this season. Everson Pereira is batting leadoff as the designated hitter with Benintendi on the bench.

Hays (hamstring) will embark on a rehab assignment with Triple-A Charlotte on Saturday, James Fegan of SoxMachine.com reports.

Hays has been cleared to take the next step in his recovery from a Grade 1 right hamstring strain that caused him to land on the 10-day injured list April 7. He'll head to Triple-A to get some in-game reps and is inching closer to returning to the majors, barring a setback.

Kwan is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Blue Jays, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.

Kwan has just two hits over the past five games and will head to the bench Friday for only the second time this season. George Valera will shift to left field while Chase DeLauter mans right field, opening up the DH spot for Rhys Hoskins.

Fraley (shin) is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Twins, Ryan Bass of Rays.tv reports.

Fraley will remain on the bench Friday for a second straight game after fouling a pitch off himself during Tuesday's game against the Reds. Jonny DeLuca is starting in right field and batting fifth against Minnesota righty and former teammate Taj Bradley.

Anthony (back) is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Orioles, Rob Bradford of WEEI.com reports.

The 21-year-old outfielder will sit for a third straight game Friday due to upper-back tightness, which first surfaced on a swing during Tuesday's loss to the Yankees. According to Ian Browne of MLB.com, Anthony is showing improvement and could see the field at some point this weekend in Baltimore.

The Orioles optioned Rodriguez to Triple-A Norfolk on Friday.

With Tyler O'Neill back from his concussion, Rodriguez will head back to the minors. Rodriguez saw 11 plate appearances with Baltimore, going 0-for-7 with three walks and one RBI.