MLB Player News

The Athletics claimed Walton off waivers from the Angels on Sunday.

The 32-year-old was designated for assignment by the Angels on Wednesday but will end up back on a major-league roster. Walton played in 32 games for the Halos and was productive at the plate with three home runs and a .319/.352/.505 slash line in 97 plate appearances. He could push Jeff McNeil for playing time at second base while the Athletics contend with injuries to two of their everyday infielders in Nick Kurtz (thumb) and Zack Gelof (knee).

The Tigers placed Valdez on the bereavement list Sunday, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

Valdez finished the first half with a strong performance Thursday, when he struck out nine and allowed just one run over seven innings against the Athletics. The veteran left-hander will step away from the team for personal reasons just ahead of the All-Star break, and he may not rejoin the active roster until after next weekend's series against the Angels. The Tigers have already listed Troy Melton, Tarik Skubal and Casey Mize as their probable starters for the series versus the Angels.

The Astros announced that Matthews was removed from Sunday's game against the Rangers after the first inning due to a left knee injury, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Matthews hurt his knee when he collided with the outfield wall with two outs in the bottom of the first while attempting to reel in a deep fly off the bat of Josh Jung. Taylor Trammell pinch hit for Matthews when his first turn in the batting order came up in the second inning. Trammell will likely serve as the Astros' primary option in center field if the knee issue forces Matthews to the injured list coming out of the All-Star break.

The Blue Jays selected Van Eyk's contract from Triple-A Buffalo on Sunday.

Van Eyk will provide the Blue Jays with some extra coverage in the bullpen heading into Sunday's series finale in San Diego and will be making his MLB debut if/when he gets into a game. The 27-year-old righty has mostly served in a starting role at Buffalo this season, logging a 3.79 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 56:25 K:BB across 78.1 frames.

The Blue Jays optioned Dallas to Triple-A Buffalo on Sunday.

Toronto will swap Dallas out of its bullpen for a fresher right-handed arm in CJ Van Eyk, who was called up from Triple-A in a corresponding move. Dallas is likely to re-enter the rotation at Triple-A after making his first two MLB appearances in relief for Toronto.

Fraley (groin) was pulled off his rehab assignment Sunday at Triple-A Durham after feeling something in the area of his hernia surgery, Ryan Bass of Rays.tv reports.

Fraley was five games into his rehab assignment and didn't appear far off from being cleared to come off the injured list, but he's now headed to the doctor to be evaluated further. He's been on the shelf nearly two months and is already eligible to be reinstated, but it's uncertain how much longer he'll remain on the injured list.

Kirk is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Padres, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Kirk will get a day off for the final game of the first half after starting the previous three contests and going 4-for-12 with a walk, two doubles and two RBI in that span. Brandon Valenzuela will step in behind the plate to catch right-hander Kevin Gausman on Sunday.

Matthews was lifted for a pinch hitter in the top of the second inning Sunday following a collision with the center-field wall while pursuing a flyball in the bottom of the first, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

With two outs in the inning, Matthews was unable to corral a Josh Jung deep fly, which ultimately fell in for a triple after Matthews' back and head collided with the outfield wall. Matthews was able to make the relay throw into the infield and remained in the game while Houston recorded the final out of the frame, but he was pulled from the contest before his first turn in the batting order came up. Taylor Trammell pinch hit for Matthews and will presumably cover center field for the remainder of the contest. The Astros should provide further word on the nature of Matthews' injury later Sunday.

Springer is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Padres, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Springer started the past three games after missing six contests while on the paternity and family medical emergency list, but he'll take a seat Sunday for the final matchup before the All-Star break. Barring an appearance off the bench, the veteran slugger will finish the first half with a disappointing .218/.303/.374 slash line, nine home runs and six steals in 66 games.

Osuna is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Astros.

Osuna will remain on the bench for a third straight game. After filling the strong side of a platoon in the outfield for the better part of the last month, Osuna looks like he'll be stuck in a reserve role after Wyatt Langford returned from the injured list Thursday.