MLB Player News

The Tigers acquired Leonard from the Dodgers on Tuesday in exchange for cash.

Leonard was designated for assignment by Los Angeles last week and will now make his way to Detroit's 40-man roster. The 22-year-old has a .257/.330/.423 slash line with 12 home runs in 92 games at the Double-A level this season. He's expected to report to Triple-A Toledo with his new organization.

The Blue Jays recalled Lopez from Triple-A Buffalo on Tuesday and placed him on the 60-day injured list with a left oblique strain, Rob Longley of the Toronto Sun reports.

Lopez last played at Triple-A on July 22 and is thus technically eligible for activation in late September, but he'll most likely remain on the IL for the rest of the season. Assuming that's the case, Lopez will wrap up the 2023 campaign with a .251/.307/.330 slash line and 31 RBI across 330 plate appearances with Buffalo. His move to the 60-day IL clears a spot on the 40-man roster for right-hander Hyun Jin Ryu (elbow), who was activated off the 60-day IL on Tuesday ahead of his scheduled start against the Orioles.

The Guardians acquired Watson and infielder Jean Segura from the Marlins on Tuesday in exchange for first baseman Josh Bell, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Extremely talented and toolsy, Watson has dealt with his share of attitude issues in pro ball, including a disciplinary-related suspension last season. Watson is batting .206/.337/.362 with seven home runs and 14 steals in 58 games at High-A Beloit this season. He doesn't turn 21 until April, so he still has time to turn things around, but it's a little telling that Miami was willing to sell low on him.

Bichette's MRI revealed inflammation in his right knee and he is being listed as day-to-day as of Tuesday, Mitch Bannon of SI.com reports.

This is about as good of a diagnosis as fantasy managers could have hoped for, given that Bichette left Monday's game against Baltimore with a knee injury and the Blue Jays traded for another shortstop (Paul DeJong) the next day. An injured list stint has not been ruled out, and Bichette will likely be evaluated again Wednesday. In the meantime, Santiago Espinal could get the start at shortstop Tuesday.

Lee was traded from the Phillies to the Tigers on Tuesday in exchange for Michael Lorenzen, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Lee, a 20-year-old second baseman from Taiwan, is mostly known for his advanced hit tool. He had a .283/.372/.401 slash line with a 10.2 percent walk rate and an 18.6 percent strikeout rate in 285 plate appearances for High-A Jersey Shore. Lee's power and speed lag behind his hit tool, as he has a .117 ISO and five home runs in 64 games this year, and, despite back-to-back seasons with double-digit steals, most public scouting reports have him pegged as a 50-grade runner.

The Blue Jays have not provided a diagnosis for Bichette (knee), and while the team traded for Paul DeJong on Tuesday, Bichette isn't expected to be out long, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

It's a vague report from Heyman, but it's at least a good sign for fantasy managers that may have feared the worst when Bichette exited Monday's game with an injury and the team acquired another shortstop the next day. Bichette hit .337 with three home runs, eight runs and 11 RBI across 101 at-bats in July.

Manager Alex Cora indicated Tuesday that Story (elbow) isn't a lock to be reinstated from the injured list this weekend, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

The veteran infielder doesn't appear to have suffered any sort of setback, and he could still be activated this weekend and will at least be reinstated before his rehab assignment expires Aug. 9. Yu Chang has recently been operating as Boston's shortstop but has a .544 OPS in 97 plate appearances this season, so it should be Story's job once he's on the active roster.

Toronto acquired DeJong in a trade with the Cardinals on Tuesday, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

St. Louis will get right-hander Matt Svanson in return, per Jon Morosi of MLB Network. This could just be a depth move for the Blue Jays, or DeJong might be pressed into starting duties at shortstop after Bo Bichette left Monday's series opener against the Orioles due to right knee discomfort. DeJong's season slash lines are all over the map since he arrived in the majors in 2017, but he has good power and plays solid defense. The soon-to-be 30-year-old is making $9.2 million this season and carries a $12.5 million club option (or $2 million buyout) for the 2024 campaign.

Franco went 1-for-4 with a solo home run Monday against the Yankees.

Franco was cold for much of July, hitting just .202 with a .669 OPS across 89 at-bats. However, he did manage to end the month on a four-game hitting streak, during which he's hit two home runs and scored five runs. Franco has shown glimpses of breaking out this season, and his strong plate discipline and willingness to steal bases should give him a safe floor of production at a minimum moving forward.

Mateo went 1-for-4 with a stolen base in Monday's 4-2 win over the Blue Jays.

Mateo hasn't helped his cause for playing time in July, going 6-for-36 (.167) over 17 games this month. He was able to knock three extra-base hits and added three steals, but he's been limited to a reserve role lately, and that's unlikely to change with the Orioles pacing the American League. Mateo is at a .212/.259/.340 slash line with 24 thefts, six home runs, 31 RBI and 40 runs scored over 87 contests this season.