MLB Player News

The Yankees optioned Vasquez to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Saturday.

Vasquez will end up as the Yankees' roster casualty as Frankie Montas (shoulder) returns from the 60-day injured list. Despite a lackluster season in Triple-A with a 4.59 ERA, the 24-year-old righty was solid out of the bullpen for the Yankees, posting a 2.87 ERA and 1.27 WHIP through 37.2 innings.

The Yankees reinstated Montas (shoulder) from the 60-day injured list Saturday.

Montas has been held out all season after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his right shoulder in February, but he will return to the Yankees' pitching staff for the final two games of the season. The 30-year-old righty gave up one run over three innings during a rehab assignment in Triple-A, and he could make an appearance out of the bullpen before the end of the year. Jasson Dominguez (elbow) was transferred to the 60-day IL to free up a 40-man spot for Montas, and Randy Vasquez was optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

The Cardinals optioned Woodford to the Florida Complex League on Saturday.

After giving up seven runs in 1.2 frames during his last start Friday, Woodford will be cast off the active roster in favor of James Naile, who will give the Cardinals additional bullpen depth for their final two games. Woodford will finish 2023 with a 6.23 ERA and 1.74 WHIP through 47.2 innings -- both sharp increases from his 2.23 ERA and 1.12 WHIP last season.

The Cardinals recalled Naile from Triple-A Memphis on Saturday.

Naile will take the place of Jake Woodford, who was optioned to the Florida Complex League in a corresponding move. Naile was decent in the minors this season but has struggled mightily in the majors, surrendering 15 runs over 15.1 innings. He will likely be limited to low-leverage outings while with St. Louis.

The Brewers optioned Boushley to the Arizona Complex League on Saturday.

Boushley was selected to the active roster Friday and looked solid during his MLB debut, giving up one run while pitching the final 2.1 frames and striking out five batters en route to collecting his first big-league win. He'll continue to work at the Brewers' facility in Arizona and could rejoin the team should Milwaukee's bullpen take a hit during the postseason. Clayton Andrews was sent to Arizona alongside Boushley, and Eric Lauer and Trevor Megill (paternity) took their places on the active roster.

Bautista (elbow) will undergo Tommy John surgery in October, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Bautista's 1.48 ERA, 33 saves and 46.4 percent strikeout rate helped the Orioles get back to the playoffs this season, but he won't get to be part of the roster as they push to make their first World Series since 1983. Tommy John surgery seemed possible when Bautista was first diagnosed with a UCL injury back in late August, but the fact that he quickly resumed throwing and had recently advanced to a 25-pitch simulated game seemed to indicate that he'd avoided a worst-case scenario. Instead, he'll miss not only this year's playoffs but the entirety of next season as well. In less significant news, he also signed a two-year contract extension, per Steve Melewski of MASNSports.com, buying out his first year of arbitration and giving him peace of mind as he recovers. Yennier Cano will continue handling closer duties in Bautista's absence.

The Brewers optioned Andrews to the Arizona Complex League on Saturday

After giving up two runs over 1.2 frames Friday, Andrews will be sent to the Brewers' facility in Arizona and remain on stand-by should the team need him during its postseason run. The 26-year-old has been lit up over the course of his four MLB appearances, so it's unlikely he sees action in the playoffs barring an emergency situation. He will be joined in Arizona by Caleb Boushley, and Eric Lauer and Trevor Megill (paternity) will take their places on the active roster.

Koch will be the first pitcher on the mound in what's expected to be a bullpen game for the Rockies against the Twins on Saturday, Luke Zahlmann of The Denver Gazette reports.

Koch hasn't pitched more than two innings in any of his 37 relief appearances this season, so don't expect him to last much longer than that this time around. The Rockies haven't announced who (if anyone) will be tasked with handling the bulk relief role behind him.

The Brewers reinstated Megill (paternity) from the restricted list Saturday.

After moving Megill to the restricted list to give him extra time with his expanding family, the Brewers will get their flame-throwing reliever back a day later. After a rough start to the season, Megill has posted a 1.69 ERA and 1.13 WHIP over 16 innings since Aug. 16, though the Brewers' immense bullpen depth has kept Megill from seeing many high-leverage opportunities. Clayton Andrews and Caleb Boushley were optioned to rookie ball in corresponding moves.

Lopez was designated for assignment Saturday, Steve Melewski of MASNSports.com reports.

The Orioles claimed Lopez off waivers from the Marlins on Sept. 2. During his month with Baltimore, he had a 5.25 ERA with a 1.25 WHIP in 12.0 innings. In a corresponding move, Bruce Zimmermann was recalled.