MLB Player News

Bannon was shipped to Baltimore as part of the Manny Machado trade, J.P. Hoornstra of the Los Angeles Daily News reports.

Bannon doesn't have a ton of prospect pedigree, having been selected 250th overall by the Dodgers in 2017, but he's done nothing but perform since becoming a pro. He posted a .336/.425/.591 line with 10 homers in 40 games for short-season Ogden last season and has followed that up with a .296/.402/.559 line and 20 homers in 89 games for High-A Rancho Cucamonga so far this year. He's still a few years away from challenging for a major-league roster spot.

Torres (hip) was able to complete a live batting practice session Sunday, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Torres reportedly looked sharp during the session, launching multiple home runs in his first at-bats against live pitching since July 4. He's expected to begin a brief minor-league rehab assignment in the coming days and should return from the 10-day disabled list shortly after the All-Star break. Neil Walker will be relegated to a bench role once Torres is reinstated.

Arroyo (oblique) went 1-for-4 in Triple-A Durham's win over Syracuse on Monday.

Arroyo was activated and then officially optioned back to the Bulls earlier Monday. The versatile prospect slashed .264/.339/.396 over his 59 big-league plate appearances thus far this season, and he'll look to continue laying the foundation for a possible return to the Rays later in the campaign with some strong play in Durham.

Arroyo (oblique) was activated from the disabled list and optioned to Triple-A Durham on Monday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Arroyo had been out for a month with a strained left oblique. Prior to the injury, he'd hit .264/.339/.396 in 59 big-league plate appearances. He could return to the majors in a utility infield role at some point after the break.

Biggio went 1-for-3 with a walk and an RBI for Double-A New Hampshire in its 3-1 win over Portland on Sunday.

Biggio is hitting just .200 over his last 13 games, but he has made himself a tough out by walking in more than a quarter of his plate appearances over that span. The second baseman's impressive power production this season -- 19 home runs and 37 extra-base hits in 86 games -- has enhanced his appeal in dynasty leagues, but it's Biggio's patient approach at the plate that could be the key to eventual success in the big leagues. He has posted walk rates above 10 percent at each stop of the minors, highlighted by a 19 percent mark at Double-A.

Rodriguez will start at second base and bat sixth Sunday against the Astros.

Rodriguez torched the International League to the tune of a .338/.365/.558 slash line across 63 games with Triple-A Toledo before he joined the big club July 4 when utility man Dixon Machado was designated for assignment. The Tigers have since given Rodriguez the opportunity to prove his performance with Toledo wasn't a mirage, and the early returns have been satisfying. Though he struggled at the dish during stints with the Tigers earlier this season, Rodriguez has gone 7-for-23 with a 3:5 BB:K in seven games following his latest promotion. He'll draw his fifth start in six contests Sunday and could receive steady playing time in the second half if he continues to fare reasonably well.

Semien went 2-for-5 with a stolen base Saturday against the Giants.

Semien stole third base against Tony Watson with two outs in the seventh inning and was ultimately stranded there. He has been active on the basepaths of late, with three steals in his past three games and six since June 29. His career-high mark for a single season is 12, though he appears poised to top that this season, as he has 10 before the All-Star break.

Barreto was recalled from Triple-A Nashville on Saturday.

Barreto showed some power in a stint with Oakland earlier in the season, hitting three homers in 18 games, but he had an awful walk rate (1.9 percent) and strikeout rate (42.6 percent). Ryan Dull was optioned to Nashville in a corresponding move.

Arroyo (oblique) left Thursday's rehab game with Triple-A Durham early due to discomfort in his surgically repaired left hand, but X-rays came back negative, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Arroyo's hand was broken last season and has twice been repaired by surgery, so there was understandable concern something could be amiss. However, manager Kevin Cash reports that with X-rays having confirmed no damage, Arroyo could be back in the lineup for the Bulls as early as Saturday.

Beckham was optioned to Triple-A Tacoma on Friday.

Beckham has played in just 13 games for the the Mariners this season, going 7-for-35 (.200 average) with one extra-base hit during his brief opportunities with the club. He will return to the minors in order to receive everyday at-bats in exchange for a couple fresh arms to bolster Seattle's bullpen heading into the weekend.