MLB Player News

Oviedo (elbow) will begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A Worcester on Thursday, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Oviedo has been out since early April due to a flexor strain in his right elbow, but after building up gradually over the course of the season, he's now ready to test his elbow in a game setting. The 28-year-old will likely require multiple rehab outings before rejoining Boston's bullpen, but the door is open for him to return before the end of the regular season.

Collins isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Red Sox.

Collins will pick out a seat on the bench after going 1-for-2 with a walk, a run and a steal during Friday's contest. Matthew Lugo will start in left field and bat eighth.

Caglianone (elbow) isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against Boston.

Saturday marks the sixth straight game that Caglianone will miss as he continues to recover from a left flexor strain, and there's still no telling how far away he is from returning to action. John Rave will start in right field and bat seventh.

The Rays selected Hopkins' contract from Triple-A Durham on Saturday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Hopkins spent most of the season working in the rotation at Durham, but after struggling as a starter, the team moved him to the bullpen in August. Now that he's pitched six consecutive shutout innings at Triple-A as a reliever, the 24-year-old righty will join the big club to help bolster the Rays' bullpen. He'll be making his MLB debut whenever he gets into a game.

Basallo isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Blue Jays, Rich Dubroff of BaltimoreBaseball.com reports.

Basallo will retreat to the dugout Saturday after going 1-for-3 with a walk and a run scored during Friday's series opener. Carlos Narvaez will start behind the plate and bat ninth.

Castillo is slated to pitch in bulk relief behind opening pitcher Sean Newcomb during Saturday's game against the Cardinals, James Fegan of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

The top of the St. Louis lineup typically features two left-handed hitters (Bryan Torres and Alec Burleson) against right-handed pitchers, so the White Sox will have the left-handed Newcomb work the first inning or two in order for Castillo to draw some more favorable matchups when he eventually enters the game. Castillo will be pitching in relief for the first time since being acquired by the White Sox at the trade deadline, with the role change coming after he logged a 7.52 ERA, 1.71 WHIP and 23:8 K:BB in 26.1 innings through his first six starts with the club.

Straw isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Orioles.

Straw will move to the bench for the third time in four games despite going 6-for-18 since the beginning of September. Rudy Martin will start in left field and bat ninth.

Clement isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against Baltimore.

Clement will take a seat Saturday after going 3-for-15 with two runs scored while starting each of Toronto's last four games. Josh Smith will pick up a start at second base and bat seventh.

Kikuchi didn't factor into the decision in Friday's 4-3 loss to the Nationals, allowing one run on three hits and four walks over four innings. He struck out five.

The lefty needed 88 pitches (54 strikes) to record 12 outs as Kikuchi failed to last at least five innings for the first time in four starts since returning from shoulder inflammation. After a bumpy outing against the Rangers on Aug. 23, Kikuchi's been stingier, posting a 1.59 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 17:8 K:BB over his last 17 innings and three trips to the mound. He'll look to tighten things up in his next start, which is scheduled to come at home next week against the Mariners.

Prielipp is slated to start Saturday's game against the Guardians in Minnesota.

Prielipp made his last two appearances for Minnesota out of the bullpen, working in bulk relief behind opener Andrew Morris in a Sept. 1 win over the Tigers and then piggybacking starter Joe Ryan in Monday's 5-4 loss to Detroit. The Twins will separate Prielipp and Ryan and give them standalone starts to close out the weekend series versus the Guardians, though Prielipp will likely have his workload monitored to some degree. The Twins skipped Bailey Ober's turn in the rotation this week, but it's possible that he could be called upon to piggyback Prielipp on Saturday.