MLB Player News

The Astros selected Whitcomb's contract from Triple-A Sugar Land on Friday, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Whitcomb has slashed .293/.378/.530 slash line in 108 games with Sugar Land this season, popping 25 home runs and stealing 26 bases along the way, and he led the entire minors leagues with 35 homers in 2023. He can play all over the infield and has also been used some in the outfield this year. Whitcomb could initially see his reps at third base with Alex Bregman (elbow) banged up, but first base is another option since it's been a weak spot for the Astros. The 25-year-old is not in the lineup for Friday's game versus the White Sox.

The Tigers selected Sweeney's contract from Triple-A Toledo on Friday.

Acquired from the Dodgers in last month's Jack Flaherty trade, Sweeney has slashed .267/.345/.450 with 15 home runs and 20 stolen bases over 107 contests at the Triple-A level this season. The 24-year-old has played shortstop almost exclusively in the minors and should see most of the reps there against right-handers, with Javier Baez perhaps limited to a short-side platoon.

Henderson went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run in Thursday's 5-1 win over the Red Sox.

After being stuck at 29 homers for seven games, Henderson has smacked a long ball in consecutive contests. He's up to 31 homers this season, though he's hit just five of them since the start of July. Even with less power, he's been productive -- he's batting .321 (17-for-53) in August and has a fantastic .289/.374/.558 slash line with 73 RBI, 96 runs scored, 23 doubles, six triples and 14 stolen bases through 120 contests overall.

Bichette (calf) has resumed baseball activities at the Blue Jays' spring training complex in Florida, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

Bichette will remain in Florida for a while to ramp back up before the Blue Jays consider a rehab assignment, so he looks to be multiple weeks away from a return. Leo Jimenez has been filling in at shortstop since Bichette was sidelined in late July with a moderate right calf strain.

Moore went 0-for-3 with a hit-by-pitch and a stolen base in a loss to the Tigers on Thursday.

Moore took advantage of his lone time on the basepaths to record his 22nd steal of the campaign, a new career high. The versatile veteran finished July on a six-game hitting streak, but his bat has gone cold in August to the tune of a .118/.268/.147 slash line and 34.1 percent strikeout rate across 41 plate appearances (11 games).

The Astros are expected to select Whitcomb's contract from Triple-A Sugar Land on Friday, Ari Alexander of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

The 25-year-old is one of the Astros' top remaining prospects after the trade deadline and has taken a major step forward at Triple-A this season with 25 homers, 26 steals and a .293/.378/.530 slash line in 108 games, which earned him his first look in the big leagues. Whitcomb has played all over the diamond at Sugar Land, and while he's seen most of his playing time at second base, third base and shortstop, Houston's major lineup hole is at first base. The utility player is likely to see plenty of action there in addition to the corner outfield and designated hitter spots.

Baez went 2-for-3 with a two-run home run in Thursday's 2-1 win over the Mariners.

Baez put Detroit on the board in the eighth inning with his sixth home run of the year. While the six long balls would be his fewest in a season since 2015, the shortstop has gone deep twice in his last three games and five times over his last 16 contests. It's mostly been a lost season for Baez, but this recent power surge could at least prop up his fantasy value during the stretch run if he's able to keep it going.

The Tigers are expected to call up Sweeney from Triple-A Toledo on Friday, Kiley McDaniel of ESPN.com reports.

Sweeney was acquired from the Dodgers on July 30 as part of the return for Jack Flaherty. Since reporting to Triple-A Toledo, the 24-year-old infielder has slashed .381/.447/.667 with two homers and nine RBI across 47 plate appearances while also swiping four bags in 11 games. He has played almost exclusively at shortstop throughout his minor-league career and could now take playing time away from Javier Baez, who has struggled at the plate for most of the season.

Seager is not in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Twins.

It's the first day off since July 23 for Seager, who has already popped seven home runs in 12 games in August. Josh Smith will fill in at shortstop and bat second.

Wilson (hamstring) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Las Vegas on Saturday, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Wilson has been sidelined since straining his left hamstring during his major-league debut July 19, but he's progressed to the point that he's ready to play in games again. The young shortstop shouldn't need an extended rehab assignment before rejoining the Athletics' active roster. Wilson was expected to receive regular run at shortstop prior to the injury, and incumbent starter Max Schuemann's .521 OPS thus far in August is unlikely to change those plans.