MLB Player News

Bannon's contract was purchased by the Orioles on Friday, Joe Trezza of MLB.com reports.

Given that he played 20 games at Triple-A in 2019 and spent this past summer at the alternate training site, Bannon is essentially big-league ready. He could compete for a bench infielder role in spring training and could eventually earn playing time at second base or third base.

Mayfield was claimed off waivers by the Braves on Friday.

The 30-year-old was designated for assignment by the Astros earlier in the week, and the Braves opted to scoop him up off waivers. Mayfield appeared in 47 games over the past two seasons and had a .170/.198/.283 slash line with two homers and 30 strikeouts in 112 plate appearances.

Wong signed a minor-league contract with the Angels on Thursday, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.

The contract also includes an invitation to big-league spring training. Wong made his big-league debut in 2019, appearing in seven games for the Rays and Angels, but he wasn't able to earn any playing time with the Giants last season. He'll try to earn a bench spot in camp next spring.

Rodriguez elected free agency Monday.

Rodriguez failed to see any game action with the Brewers in 2020 before he was cast off the 40-man roster in mid-September. He'll likely have to settle for a minor-league deal as he heads to the open market this winter.

Lowe went 2-for-5 with two home runs and three RBI overall in a win over the Dodgers in Game 2 of the World Series on Wednesday.

Lowe hit a solo homer in the first inning off Tony Gonsolin to open the scoring on the night, and he went on to smash a two-run blast in the fifth inning off Dustin May as well. Lowe's heroics Wednesday night helped the Rays even the series at one apiece, and his first inning run moved Tampa Bay to an MLB-best 32-7 when scoring first this season and postseason.

Altuve went 2-for-3 with two walks, a double, two runs and an RBI in Game 6 of the ALCS.

Altuve played a key role in a four-run fifth inning for the Astros, clubbing an RBI double and also coming around to score. Despite some defensive problems, Altuve has had a resurgence at the plate this postseason. In 12 games and 56 plate appearances, he's hitting .364/.500/.750 with five home runs, 11 RBI and 10 runs scored.

Lowe went 1-for-5 with a solo homer in the Rays' Game 5 loss to the Astros on Thursday.

Tampa Bay's home-run leader during the regular season, Lowe had gone 41 at-bats without an extra-base hit to begin the playoffs. Lowe is finally off the schneid, though it's not out of the question he sits in favor of Mike Brosseau on Friday with lefty Framber Valdez starting for Houston.

Altuve went 2-for-4 with a homer and a pair of RBI in Wednesday's ALCS Game 4 win over the Rays.

Altuve's sudden throwing issues have been the primary storyline surrounding him this postseason, though his bat has been just fine. He didn't make an error in this one, and his pair of RBI proved crucial in his team's 4-3 win. He opened the scoring with a solo shot off Tyler Glasnow in the bottom of the first and added another run two innings later on an RBI double. His five homers thus far in the playoffs already match his total from the regular season.

Lowe isn't in the lineup Wednesday for Game 4 of the ALCS against the Astros.

Lowe has been in a bit of a slump to begin the series, as he's gone 1-for-13 with one run, one walk and five strikeouts. He'll get a breather Wednesday as the Rays hold a 3-0 lead in the ALCS. Mike Brosseau will start at second base in his absence.

Albies went 2-for-5 with a two-run homer in Monday's NLCS Game 1 win against the Dodgers.

Albies gave the Braves a pair of insurance runs with his homer off Jake McGee in the top of the ninth, extended Atlanta's lead from 3-1 to 5-1. He's now homered twice in 15 career postseason games but still owns a poor .233/.277/.350 playoff slash line.