MLB Player News

Toronto activated Taillon (forearm) from the 15-day IL and he will start Friday's game against the Royals.

Taillon, who has been shelved since Aug. 11, will make his return to the big-league mound Friday. In two starts for Toronto since being traded by the Cubs, the right-hander owns a 3.38 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 7:5 K:BB over eight innings. The Blue Jays optioned Ricky Tiedemann to Triple-A Buffalo to clear a roster spot for Taillon.

The Rays recalled Cook from Triple-A Durham on Friday.

Just two days after being sent down to Durham, Cook is back with the big-league club Friday. The 25-year-old has made just two appearances in the majors, but in Triple-A he owns a 4.64 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 46:15 K:BB over 42.2 innings. With Shane McClanahan (forearm) sidelined for at least 15 days, Cook will take his spot on the expanded 28-man roster.

Tampa Bay placed McClanahan on the 15-day injured list Friday with left forearm tightness.

McClanahan will make his second trip to the IL in the last three months after allowing four earned runs over five innings Thursday against the Rangers. In his first big-league action since 2023, McClanahan owns a 10-7 record this season with a 3.36 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 106:39 K:BB over 118 innings. With the 29-year-old on the shelf, the Rays recalled Alex Cook from Triple-A Durham to bolster the bullpen.

Higashioka (forearm) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Round Rock on Friday, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Higashioka has been out since late July with a right flexor strain. He is not expected to be available to catch in the final weeks of the regular season, but Higashioka could be available as a bench bat against left-handed pitching.

The Astros recalled King from Triple-A Sugar Land on Friday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

King was a weapon out of the Astros' bullpen the previous two seasons, but he's been up and down between the majors and minors a couple times this year, logging a a 4.75 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 44:19 K:BB across 53 innings for the big club. The southpaw has held the opposition scoreless in his last four outings with Sugar Land.

The Astros placed Okert on the 15-day injured list Friday with a right hamstring strain, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

It's unclear when Okert was hurt, but he hasn't pitched since Monday. He's been dynamite out of the Houston bullpen this season, logging a 2.13 ERA, 0.87 WHIP and 68:14 K:BB over 67.2 innings. Bryan King will absorb Okert's spot on the roster and in the bullpen.

Lowe (neck) remains out of the lineup for Friday's game in Pittsburgh.

Lowe had to be scratched from the Angels' last lineup Wednesday versus the Yankees with neck stiffness, and he'll remain out even after the team off day Thursday. Wade Meckler will shift over to right field, and Jose Siri will handle left field.

Rafaela (quadriceps) is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Orioles, Chris Henrique of BostonSportsJournal.com reports.

It's the second consecutive absence for Rafaela after he exited Wednesday's game against the Mariners due to quad tightness. There's been no suggestion yet the 25-year-old will need an IL stint, however. Eli White is picking up a second straight start in center field for Boston.

Lagrange (shoulder) is traveling back to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and is slated to throw a live batting practice session, Francys Romero of BeisbolFR.com reports.

It will be Lagrange's first time facing hitters since he was diagnosed with a right shoulder capsular sprain in early July. If live BP goes well, Lagrange will be activated from the 7-day injured list. The 23-year-old is a long shot to be called up to the majors this season, but if he's able to enter the offseason seemingly healthy it would be a positive development for him and the Yankees.

The Mariners recalled Taylor from Triple-A Tacoma on Friday.

It's the first stint in the majors this season for Taylor, who holds a 4.99 ERA and 60:35 K:BB over 52.1 innings with Tacoma. He's grabbing the roster spot vacated by Hoby Milner (personal) and will likely be around only until Milner returns from the family medical emergency list.