MLB Player News

The Blue Jays designated Cuas for assignment Thursday.

Cuas will end up as the odd man out of Toronto's 40-man roster after the team claimed Emmanuel Ramirez off waivers from Miami on Thursday. The 30-year-old Cuas owns a 7.71 ERA and 1.78 WHIP across 16.1 innings between the Cubs and Blue Jays this season, and his minor-league performance hasn't been much better (6.67 ERA through 27 IP).

The Athletics recalled Basso from Triple-A Las Vegas on Thursday.

Basso will give the bullpen some length. The left-hander has made three appearances for Oakland this season, allowing two runs over 3.1 innings.

The Athletics designated Junk for assignment Thursday.

Junk's lone appearance for the Athletics went as poorly as it could possibly go, as he was walloped for seven runs without recording an out in Wednesday's loss to the Mariners. He'll be replaced on the roster by Brady Basso.

The Royals activated Altavilla (oblique) from the 60-day injured list Thursday and designated him for assignment.

Altavilla is recovered from his right oblique strain, but the Royals have decided there isn't a place for him on the active roster. The veteran reliever has coughed up six runs over 3.2 frames covering five appearances for Kansas City this season.

The Royals optioned Cruz to Triple-A Omaha on Thursday.

Cruz had three scoreless appearances during his brief stint in the majors but nonetheless will head back to Omaha. He could get another opportunity later this month.

The Twins transferred Funderburk (oblique) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day injured list Thursday, Bobby Nightengale of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

The transaction clears a spot on the 40-man roster for the addition of DaShawn Keirsey. Funderburk resumed throwing in late August as he works his way back from a left oblique strain but now isn't eligible for activation until late September.

The Yankees optioned Effross to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Thursday.

Effross tossed 1.1 scoreless innings in Wednesday's loss to the Rangers but finds himself back in the minors a day later. The Yankees will announce a corresponding move prior to Friday's game versus the Cubs, and it could be Ian Hamilton (lat) returning from the injured list.

The Astros optioned Whitley to Triple-A Sugar Land on Thursday, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Whitley allowed two unearned runs while striking out five over 2.2 innings in a couple appearances this week. He threw 48 pitches in Wednesday's blowout loss to the Reds, so the Astros will swap him out for a fresh arm.

The Astros recalled Hernandez from Triple-A Sugar Land on Thursday, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Hernandez has allowed six runs with a 7:1 K:BB over six relief innings during his time with the Astros this season. He'll provide a fresh arm out of the bullpen after starter Spencer Arrighetti failed to get out of the first inning in Wednesday's game.

The Rays optioned Alexander to Triple-A Durham on Thursday, Tricia Whitaker of Bally Sports Sun reports.

Alexander allowed four runs over 3.2 innings in bulk relief Wednesday, picking up a win over the Twins. He wasn't going to be available to pitch for a few days, so the Rays will replace him with a fresh arm.