MLB Player News

Anthony (wrist) was shut down through at least next Thursday before the Red Sox re-evaluate him, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

Anthony was set to take the next step in his progression earlier this week but suffered a setback, as he felt lingering soreness when swinging a bat Monday. After receiving a cortisone injection, the outfielder had begun throwing before he tested the wrist by taking swings.

The Athletics returned Clarke (foot) from his rehab assignment Thursday after he suffered a left hamstring strain while playing in a rehab game at Triple-A Las Vegas on Tuesday.

An MRI confirmed Thursday that Clarke suffered a high-grade hamstring strain, so the team will shut him down from all activity and re-evaluate him after the All-Star break. An updated timeline for his recovery will become available once the second half of the season begins, but the 26-year-old outfielder will presumably need an extended amount of time to build back up once he's cleared to resume activity, likely pushing his return date well into August, at minimum. Henry Bolte should continue to receive the bulk of starts in center field with Clarke sidelined.

Bolte is not in the lineup Thursday versus Angels.

Bolte started in the first three games of the four games series against the Angels. He's gone 2-for-13 with a double, walk and stolen base in the series, but he will begin the final game of the series on the bench. Tyler Soderstrom, Lawrence Butler and Carlos Cortes are the starting outfielders for the Athletics on Thursday.

The Pirates optioned Cook to Triple-A Indianapolis on Thursday, Jose Negron of DK Pittsburgh Sports reports.

He's being sent out to make space on the active roster for Esmerlyn Valdez. Cook has been on the big-league roster since early April but hasn't played much, going 4-for-21 at the plate while making only six starts.

The Pirates recalled Valdez from Triple-A Indianapolis on Thursday, Francys Romero of BeisbolFR.com reports.

Valdez earned his first promotion to the majors after slashing .253/.381/.506 with 10 homers, 29 RBI and 25 runs scored over 194 plate appearances at Indianapolis. He's worked primarily in right field throughout his minor-league career, making him a logical choice to fill in as Pittsburgh's right fielder while Ryan O'Hearn (quad) is on the injured list. That said, the Pirates recalled Jhostynxon Garcia from Triple-A on Tuesday for a similar purpose, so it's unclear how reps will be divided between the two prospects.

Sanchez (chest) is absent from the lineup for Thursday's game against the Yankees.

Sanchez was lifted from Wednesday's contest after getting the wind knocked out of him. The left-handed hitter likely wasn't going to start Thursday, anyway, with the Yankees sending southpaw Carlos Rodon to the bump, but it's unclear whether he'll be available off the bench. Myles Straw will cover right field for Toronto in Sanchez's stead.

Imaging on Grisham's left knee came back negative Thursday, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Grisham made an early exit from Wednesday's contest after suffering a knee injury in the second inning, though he seems to have escaped the incident without suffering any structural damage. He'll begin Thursday's game against Toronto on the bench while Spencer Jones starts in center field, but Grisham could be available to play in an emergency.

Grisham (knee) isn't in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Blue Jays.

Grisham will sit out after tweaking his knee during the second inning of Wednesday's contest. He's set to undergo imaging Thursday that will determine the severity of his injury, but he's optimistic about his chances of avoiding a trip to the IL, per Bryan Hoch of MLB.com. Spencer Jones will fill in as New York's center fielder Thursday.

The Marlins acquired Hinds from the Reds on Thursday in exchange for Zach McCambley, Isaac Azout of FishOnFirst.com reports.

Hinds had been designated for assignment by Cincinnati and will now get a fresh start in a new organization. The 25-year-old has huge raw power and has slashed .306/.423/.635 with seven home runs in 23 games this season at Triple-A Louisville. The downside with Hinds is that he has major contact issues, having posted a 42.0 percent strikeout rate thus far at the big-league level. Hinds will likely report to Triple-A Jacksonville initially.

Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said that Church was scratched from Thursday's lineup versus the Pirates because he's "just a little beat up," Brenden Schaeffer of MLB.com reports.

Church was removed from a game earlier this month after being hit on the left leg by a pitcher, though it's unclear whether this is related to that. Marmol indicated he would prefer to stay away from using Church off the bench Thursday, but the outfielder should be ready to play this weekend in Cincinnati. Jose Fermin is drawing a start in left field Thursday in Church's place.