MLB Player News

Baltimore transferred Helsley (elbow) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Sunday.

Though he was cleared of any structural damage to his UCL following a recent MRI, Helsley is tending to inflammation around the ligament and will require an extended period of rest and recovery. The Orioles are optimistic that the 31-year-old will be activated from the IL before the end of the season, but a clearer target date for his return won't be known until he starts throwing again. At the very least, Helsley's move to the 60-day IL ensures he won't be available for the Orioles until Aug. 29. While Helsley is on the shelf, Tyler Wells and Andrew Kittredge look to be the top options for saves out of the Baltimore bullpen.

Baltimore optioned Sanders to Triple-A Norfolk on Sunday.

After being acquired from the Pirates on Monday, Sanders was initially optioned to Norfolk before joining the Orioles ahead of their weekend series in Houston. He was used in relief in both of the first two games of the series, striking out two over 1.2 perfect innings while notching his first MLB win Friday and his first MLB save Saturday. The Orioles opted to replace Sanders on the 26-man active roster with catcher Sam Huff, who was called up from Triple-A in a corresponding move.

The Guardians optioned Allen to Triple-A Columbus on Sunday.

The left-hander served as the 27th man for Saturday's doubleheader against the Pirates and started the nightcap, taking a no-decision after giving up three runs (two earned) on six hits with three strikeouts and three walks over 3.1 innings. Allen will rejoin Columbus' rotation but could get another look in the majors when Cleveland needs some length.

The Padres optioned Brito to Triple-A El Paso on Sunday.

Brito made just one appearance with the big-league club after being called up on Wednesday. The 28-year-old delivered a scoreless inning out of the bullpen in Saturday's 6-1 loss to the Royals, allowing one hit while striking out a batter. In a corresponding move, San Diego reinstated Wandy Peralta (personal) from the bereavement list.

San Diego reinstated Peralta (personal) from the bereavement list Sunday.

The Padres placed Peralta on the bereavement list Wednesday, but he missed just two games before rejoining the club. Through 41 appearances out of the bullpen this season, the southpaw has posted a 2.23 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 31:19 K:BB in 48.1 innings.

The Padres designated Marinaccio for assignment Sunday.

The 30-year-old will lose his spot on the 40-man roster after submitting a 4.79 ERA, 1.45 WHIP and 38:18 K:BB across 47 innings in 33 relief appearances for San Diego. He'll give up his spot on the active roster to right-hander Randy Vasquez (ankle), who was reinstated from the 15-day injured list.

The Astros will activate Blanco (elbow) from the 60-day injured list to start Monday's series opener against the Marlins in Houston, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Blanco will be making his 2026 debut for the Astros after completing his recovery from Tommy John surgery, which he underwent last June. The 32-year-old began a rehab assignment in mid-June and was able to build up to 4.1 innings and 68 pitches in his final outing at Triple-A Sugar Land last weekend. Overall, Blanco turned in a 1.06 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 13:6 K:BB in 17 innings over five starts with three different affiliates.

The Cardinals do not expect Romero (appendicitis) to be ready for activation from the 15-day injured list when first eligible, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Romero is doing well after being treated for appendicitis last week, but a return before the end of July appears unlikely. The injury complicates Romero's appeal to contenders ahead of the Aug. 3 trade deadline, though injured players can be dealt. Romero holds a 3.35 ERA and 43:16 K:BB over 43 innings this season and is slated to reach free agency this winter.

Atlanta selected Hernandez's contract from Triple-A Gwinnett on Sunday.

The right-hander joined Atlanta on a minor-league contract in November and is now getting his first opportunity in the big leagues since 2024. Hernandez finished that season playing in the Korea Baseball Organization and also spent time overseas in 2025. Thus far in the 2026 season, the 31-year-old posted a 4.83 ERA, 1.51 WHIP and 72:27 K:BB across 76.1 innings for Gwinnett. He made 11 starts at Triple-A but will work out of the bullpen for Atlanta.

Atlanta optioned Murphy to Triple-A Gwinnett on Sunday.

The right-hander made his first big-league start Saturday versus Texas and will head back to Triple-A after giving up three runs (two earned) on five hits with two strikeouts and two walks over 2.2 innings. Murphy has now covered 6.2 frames across three MLB appearances and has allowed three earned runs with a 6:2 K:BB. The 23-year-old could get another look in the majors later this summer, but for now he should step back into the rotation at Gwinnett.