MLB Player News

Strzelecki declined his outright assignment to Triple-A Memphis and elected free agency Saturday, John Denton of Roundtable.io reports.

St. Louis reinstated Strzelecki from the injured list Wednesday after he completed his recovery from right forearm extensor inflammation, and he was subsequently designated for assignment. The 31-year-old journeyman made eight appearances out of the Cardinals' bullpen this season, allowing nine runs with an 8:6 K:BB in 14 innings.

The Rangers recalled Macko from Triple-A Round Rock on Saturday.

Macko was sent down to the minors last Saturday but will be invited back into the Rangers' bullpen to make up for the loss of Michel Otanez (illness). Macko has turned in a 5.65 ERA and 1.71 WHIP across 28.2 innings in the majors this season and will almost certainly be limited to low-leverage work.

The Rangers placed Otanez on the 15-day injured list Saturday, retroactive to Friday, due to a viral illness.

Otanez was recalled from Triple-A on Friday, but he won't be able to pitch in the regular season now that he's landed on the injured list. He will be replaced in Texas' bullpen by Adam Macko.

Okert (hamstring) will not return from the injured list before the end of the regular season, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Okert has been dealing with a hamstring strain since Sept. 4 and isn't scheduled to resume throwing off a mound until next week. He'll then require additional bullpen sessions and PFP drills before being cleared to return, and there simply won't be enough time to squeeze all of that in before the regular season ends Sept. 27. The door is still open for him to return at some point during the postseason, if the Astros secure a spot.

The Royals recalled Bivens from Triple-A Omaha on Saturday.

Bivens was claimed off waivers from San Francisco last Saturday, and he'll now be called upon to provide bullpen depth while Craig Kimbrel (bereavement) is away from the team. Bivens will almost certainly be limited to low-leverage work given that he's allowed eight earned runs in just five major-league innings this season.

The Royals placed Kimbrel on the bereavement list Saturday.

Kimbrel will be away from the team for at least three days while he tends to personal matters. Spencer Bivens will come up from Omaha to fill the open spot in Kansas City's bullpen.

The Reds recalled McCambley from Triple-A Louisville on Saturday.

The 27-year-old will come up from Triple-A to give the Reds' bullpen an extra fresh arm to work with, replacing Julian Aguiar. McCambley has allowed four earned runs in 8.2 innings with the Reds this season and will likely be limited to middle-relief duty.

The Mets reinstated Perez (forearm) from the injured list Saturday.

A left forearm strain has kept Perez out of action since July 31, but he's now been cleared to return to the Mets' bullpen after firing four shutout innings in four rehab outings in the minors. He'll replace Cameron Weston on the active roster and will likely work in middle relief after turning in a 4.97 ERA across 41.2 frames while healthy.

The Mets optioned Weston to Triple-A Syracuse on Saturday.

The Mets brought Weston up from Triple-A on Thursday, but he'll now head back down to the minors without appearing in a game. Cionel Perez (forearm) was activated from the injured list to fill the open spot in New York's bullpen.

The Orioles reinstated Bautista (shoulder) from the 60-day injured list Saturday, Andy Kostka of TheBanner.com reports.

Bautista will join the active roster for the first time since July 2025 after undergoing surgery to repair a torn labrum and rotator cuff in his right shoulder. He was cleared to begin a rehab assignment Aug. 23 and has since given up five earned runs in eight innings while striking out nine batters and walking seven. The 31-year-old has consistently been one of Baltimore's most reliable high-leverage relievers throughout his career, but he may not step into a closing role immediately upon being activated due to the length of his absence and his subpar minor-league performance.