MLB Player News

The Orioles optioned Vazquez to Triple-A Norfolk on Friday.

The Orioles selected Vazquez's contract from Norfolk on Wednesday, but he'll now depart the active roster without appearing in a game to make room for Blaze Alexander (hand), who returned from the IL on Friday. Vazquez will remain on the Orioles' taxi squad for now in case Baltimore needs to add infield depth on short notice.

Cecconi (arm) is scheduled to make his next rehab appearance Sunday with Triple-A Columbus, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.

Cecconi was cleared to begin his rehab assignment Tuesday, when he allowed one hit and one walk while striking out the side in one scoreless inning at Triple-A. He's working his way back from right arm fatigue that landed him on the injured list in early August, and he is progressing toward being back with the Guardians by early September.

The Orioles reinstated Alexander (hand) from the injured list Friday.

Out since mid-July with a fractured left hand, Alexander began a rehab assignment Tuesday and went 2-for-7 with a double, an RBI and a run scored at Triple-A Norfolk. He figures to reclaim a regular starting job in Baltimore's infield now that he's fully healthy, and he'll replace Luis Vazquez on the team's active roster.

The Red Sox are expected to activate Whitlock (elbow) from the injured list before one of the games of Saturday's doubleheader against the Yankees, Tim Healey of The Boston Globe reports.

Whitlock landed on the injured list Aug. 13 with right elbow inflammation, but he's made a quick recovery and won't need to spend any time in the minors before rejoining Boston's bullpen. The 30-year-old has enjoyed one of the best seasons of his career while working as the Sox's premier setup man this year, posting a 2.05 ERA and 0.89 WHIP alongside a 49:7 K:BB across 44 innings.

Houck (elbow) will begin a rehab assignment at the Red Sox's complex in Florida on Tuesday, Rob Bradford of WEEI.com reports.

Houck has been on the injured list all season while recovering from the hybrid UCL reconstruction procedure he underwent last August, and he has now reached the point where he's ready to test his elbow in a competitive setting. There is still a chance he makes it back before the end of the season, though the Red Sox will likely have him pitch in several minor-league games before activating him.

Walton isn't in the lineup for Friday's game against the Orioles.

Walton has recorded a hit in six of his last seven games, but the A's will keep him on the bench to begin Friday's contest. While he sits, Jeff McNeil will cover second base and Alika Williams will start at shortstop.

The Angels optioned Teodosio to Triple-A Salt Lake on Friday.

Teodosio was recalled from Triple-A on Wednesday, but he'll be pushed back to Triple-A to make room for Wade Meckler, who returned from the 7-day concussion IL on Friday. Teodosio owns just a .509 OPS in 54 major-league plate appearances this season and will likely spend most of what's left of the year in the minors.

The Angels reinstated Meckler (concussion) from the injured list Friday.

Meckler landed on the 7-day concussion IL last weekend after taking a pitch off his head, but he's now been cleared to rejoin the parent club following a minimum-length absence. The 26-year-old was in a bit of a slump at the plate before getting injured, going just 2-for-15 in his last five games, though he went 3-for-7 with a homer and a pair of walks during his rehab assignment at Single-A. Bryce Teodosio was optioned to Triple-A in a corresponding move.

Mariners manager Dan Wilson said Friday that Miller is being moved to the bullpen, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.

The club had been operating with a six-man rotation since the promotion of top prospect Kade Anderson but will revert to a typical five-man setup. Miller collected a 2.18 ERA and 65:9 K:BB over 57.2 innings in the first half, but he's cratered in the second half with a 7.18 ERA and 27:16 K:BB across 36.1 frames. In Miller's last four outings, the Mariners were outscored 62-7. Wilson noted Friday that Miller's demotion is "not a permanent thing," and that the team still views the hurler as a starter long-term.

The Athletics optioned Rom to Triple-A Las Vegas on Friday.

The move corresponds with Jose Suarez (hip) being activated from the 15-day injured list. Rom made seven appearances out of the A's bullpen since being recalled Aug. 12, allowing six runs on nine hits and three walks while striking out five across 5.2 innings. He'll head back down to Triple-A, where he has 2.03 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 59:10 K:BB over 40 innings.