MLB Player News

Rooker (knee) was cleared to begin a hitting progression Wednesday, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Rooker won't have enough time to return this season from a cartilage tear in his left knee that he suffered in June, but his return to hitting is an encouraging sign that he'll be ready to go by Opening Day. The A's are optimistic that he will be cleared for batting practice before the end of the season.

Kurtz (thumb) began a hitting progression Wednesday, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Kurtz has already been ruled out for the rest of the 2026 season due to a right thumb strain, but the fact that he's begun to swing a bat is an encouraging development for his availability at the start of the 2027 campaign. Manager Mark Kotsay said that if everything goes according to plan, Kurtz may be cleared to take batting practice before the end of the year.

Guerrero's (shoulder) stay on the injured list has been extended due to lower-back soreness, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Guerrero was trending toward a minimum-length absence after landing on the injured list Sept. 1 with shoulder inflammation, but a back injury will delay his return. The team doesn't seem to be very concerned about the 35-year-old's new injury, however, so he'll likely still be able to rejoin Boston's bullpen before the end of the season.

Bradish was diagnosed with a sports hernia Wednesday, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

The Orioles placed Bradish on the injured list Sunday with an abdominal issue, ruling him out for the rest of the regular season. Manager Craig Albernaz said Wednesday that the 30-year-old righty is exploring all of his options, but now that he's officially dealing with a hernia, he likely won't be available to pitch in the postseason if the Orioles secure a wild-card spot.

Holliday (undisclosed) isn't in the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Mets, Andy Kostka of TheBanner.com reports.

Manager Craig Albernaz said that Holliday is "banged up" but didn't specify the type of injury the young infielder is dealing with. He'll have another day off Thursday to recover before the O's return home to begin a series against the Brewers on Friday. In the meantime, Jeremiah Jackson will start at second base and bat seventh.

Basallo (shoulder) will start at catcher and bat sixth Wednesday against the Mets, Andy Kostka of TheBanner.com reports.

Basallo sat out Tuesday's contest due to a lingering shoulder issue, but he appears to be feeling well enough to return to the starting nine Wednesday. The 22-year-old has experienced a sharp drop in production recently, slashing just .143/.273/.143 with two RBI and three runs scored across 33 plate appearances since the beginning of September.

The Angels reinstated Bachman (forearm) from the injured list Wednesday.

Bachman landed on the injured list in early August due to inflammation in his right forearm. Now, after pitching 2.2 shutout innings across three rehab appearances in the minors, the 26-year-old will return to help the Angels' bullpen get through the final stretch of the regular season. He'll replace the injured Samy Natera (forearm) on the active roster.

The Angels placed Natera on the 15-day injured list Wednesday with left forearm inflammation.

Natera's move to the IL is backdated to Sunday, but he still won't have enough time to make it back before the end of the season. The 26-year-old's rookie campaign was largely successful, as he'll finish the year with a 3.13 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and a 48:13 K:BB across 31.2 innings. Sam Bachman (forearm) was reinstated from the IL in a corresponding move.

Duran is not in the starting lineup for Wednesday's game against the Rangers, Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald reports.

Duran's tough season continues as he's slashing just .171/.227/.268 in September, bringing him down to .204/.261/.361 for the year. He's nearly gone 20-20 despite those struggles -- he sits one steal shy of 20 -- but it appears his opportunities against lefties will remain limited down the stretch. Roman Anthony, Nate Eaton and Wilyer Abreu will start across the outfield from left to right Wednesday, while Jahmai Jones serves as the DH against southpaw MacKenzie Gore.

Caglianone is not in the starting lineup for Wednesday's game against the Astros.

A left elbow flexor strain recently cost Caglianone six consecutive starts. He returned to the Kansas City lineup Sunday and has since gone 0-for-6 with five strikeouts. While his absence Wednesday has not been tied directly to the elbow issue, he may very well be dealing with some lingering effects from the injury.