MLB Player News

Waldrep could start Thursday's game against the Cardinals if he isn't needed out of the bullpen Wednesday, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Reynaldo Lopez is starting Wednesday's game, and if he's able to go at least 4-to-5 innings, Atlanta will likely go with Waldrep as its starter for Thursday's series finale. If the right-hander has to pitch in relief Wednesday, however, Grant Holmes could draw Thursday's start. Waldrep had surgery to remove loose bodies from his right elbow back in February, but he threw 55 pitches over two scoreless relief innings during his season debut for Atlanta last week. His highest pitch count over five minor-league starts was 71, so the righty isn't fully stretched out yet.

The Astros rescinded Teng's option and placed him on the 15-day injured list Wednesday with a right knee sprain, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Teng had been sent down to Triple-A Sugar Land following Saturday's start versus the Tigers, but it's been determined he suffered an injury before that transaction and will instead hit the injured list. It's unclear how long the right-hander might be sidelined.

Phillies interim manager Don Mattingly said Wednesday that Keller (forearm) is expected to return before the All-Star break, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

Keller threw a live batting practice session Tuesday and could make a rehab appearance Friday. The right-handed reliever has been sidelined since mid-June with forearm tendinitis, and he might require just the one rehab outing before being reinstated from the 15-day injured list.

Sousa (elbow) will throw a simulated game at Daikin Park on Wednesday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Sousa has been limited to only five appearances for the Astros this season, first missing time due to an oblique strain and more recently battling left elbow inflammation. He's been shelved for nearly two months but appears close to throwing in a game. Sousa appears unlikely to join the Astros' active roster before the All-Star break.

Lopez will start Wednesday's game against the Cardinals in Atlanta.

Lopez will be making his second straight appearance as a starter, though Mark Bowman of MLB.com previously reported that Atlanta could once again have Hurston Waldrep piggyback the veteran right-hander. In his last appearance Friday in San Francisco, Lopez threw three innings of one-run ball before Waldrep followed with two scoreless frames in relief. Lopez tossed 57 pitches in that outing, but even if he gets piggybacked agin, he could still push up his pitch count a bit more Wednesday.

The Royals placed Seabold on the 15-day injured list Wednesday with a right lat strain.

Seabold had to be pulled from an appearance Tuesday against the Rays because of the injury. The severity of the strain is unclear, but even a mild one could result in an absence beyond the 15-day minimum. Seabold has pitched for three different teams this season, collecting a 5.25 ERA and 20:11 K:BB across 24 frames.

The Royals optioned Cerantola to Triple-A Omaha on Wednesday.

Cerantola had a disastrous outing Tuesday versus the Rays, walking six of the nine batters he faced while surrendering a pair of runs. He'll head back to Omaha as the Royals replace him with a fresh bullpen arm.

The Royals recalled Dobnak from Triple-A Omaha on Wednesday.

Dobnak previously saw big-league action with the Twins over parts of five seasons from 2019 through 2025, but he'll be making his Royals debut once he gets into a game. The 31-year-old righty opened the season in the rotation at Triple-A Tacoma in the Mariners organization before being traded in mid-June to the Royals, who immediately added him to their 40-man roster. Over 80.2 innings at the Triple-A level this season, Dobnak has produced a 4.35 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 49:25 K:BB. The right-hander looks set to initially work out of the bullpen for Kansas City, though he could be a candidate to start Thursday versus the Rays if Stephen Kolek (personal) isn't activated from the bereavement list in advance of that game.

The Royals selected Cuas' contract from Triple-A Omaha on Wednesday.

Cuas holds a 3.31 ERA and 33:19 K:BB over 32.2 innings this season at Omaha. The 32-year-old hasn't pitched in the majors since 2024 and will likely fill a low-leverage relief role.

Orioles manager Craig Albernaz said Wednesday that Helsley is dealing with right elbow discomfort and will undergo further testing, Matt Weyrich of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Helsley was warming up in the bullpen as he readied to enter Wednesday's game against the White Sox, but he felt something in his elbow and had to take a seat. Instead, Andrew Kittredge came on to close out the 6-1 victory. Helsley missed seven weeks of action earlier this season with right elbow inflammation and could be headed for another extended absence, depending on what the imaging shows. If Helsley needs to miss more time, Rico Garcia is likely the top candidate to fill in at closer for the Orioles, though Kittredge and Yennier Cano could also be in the mix.