MLB Player News

The Red Sox reinstated Mayer (personal) from the bereavement list Monday. Mayer will start at third base and bat sixth in the Red Sox's series opener with the Reds.

After being recalled from Triple-A Worcester on Friday when Mayer was deactivated, infielder Nick Sogard will head back to the minors to clear room for Mayer's return to the 26-man active roster. Before stepping away from the team and missing three games while tending to the personal matter, the 22-year-old rookie slashed .208/.262/.429 with four home runs and seven RBI through his first 84 big-league plate appearances. At least until Alex Bregman (quadriceps) returns from the injured list, Mayer is poised to serve as the Red Sox's primary third baseman.

The Athletics optioned Ferguson to Triple-A Las Vegas on Monday.

With nine holds and one save over his 36 appearances. Ferguson had been serving as one of the Athletics' higher-level relievers this season, but he'll end up losing his spot on the 26-man active roster after a rough June in which he turned in a 15.58 ERA, 2.54 WHIP and 10:8 K:BB across 8.2 innings. The 31-year-old righty will give up his spot to righty Justin Sterner, who was recalled from Las Vegas.

The Athletics optioned MacIver to Triple-A Las Vegas on Monday.

With Shea Langeliers (oblique) back from the 10-day injured list, MacIver's presence with the big club was no longer needed. He acquitted himself well during his first stint in the majors, posting a .737 OPS with a couple homers in 16 contests.

The Athletics optioned Bleday to Triple-A Las Vegas on Monday.

Bleday was swapped off the 26-man active roster with another outfielder in Colby Thomas, who was called up from Triple-A and could settle into the short side of a platoon at a corner spot with either Tyler Soderstrom or Lawrence Butler while also offering depth in center behind Denzel Clarke. Though he was up with the Athletics for nearly a month during his latest stint in the big leagues, Bleday started in just nine of 26 games and slashed .135/.273/.324 with a 36.4 percent strikeout rate.

The Athletics recalled Sterner from Triple-A Las Vegas on Monday.

Sterner was unscored upon in 24 of his first 25 appearances in the majors this season but was sent down earlier this month after allowing nine runs (eight earned) across his last two innings. He could work his way back into some high-leverage appearances but will likely be used in the middle innings initially.

The Athletics selected Thomas' contract from Triple-A Las Vegas on Monday.

Regarded as one of the top prospects in the Athletics' farm system, Thomas will get his first taste of the big leagues after getting off to a blazing start to the season at Las Vegas. Over 348 plate appearances in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League, Thomas slashed .301/.368/.549 with 17 home runs and seven steals while striking out at a 26.1 percent clip. The 24-year-old is capable of playing all three outfield spots, but unless the Athletics are willing to scale back defensive standout Denzel Clarke's playing time in center field, the right-handed-hitting Thomas may have to settle for a short-side platoon role initially.

The Athletics activated Langeliers (oblique) from the 10-day injured list Monday. He'll start at catcher and bat fifth in the Athletics' series opener at Tampa Bay.

Langeliers has missed the last three-plus weeks with a left oblique strain but is ready to roll after going 8-for-13 with one home run in three rehab games with Triple-A Las Vegas. Fellow catcher Willie MacIver was optioned to Las Vegas in a corresponding move.

Neto (shoulder) went 0-for-2 and was caught trying to steal a base in Sunday's extra-innings loss to Washington. He entered as a pinch hitter in the seventh inning and remained in the game at shortstop.

Neto hasn't started any of the Angels' past four games due to a jammed right shoulder. However, he entered as a pinch hitter during all three games of the weekend set against the Nationals, going 0-for-4 during that span. More promisingly, Neto remained in the contest to play shortstop Sunday after pinch hitting for Kevin Newman in the seventh frame and made one uneventful putout on defense. On Neto's attempted steal of second base in the ninth, he slid into the bag feet-first, something he's practiced this week after jamming his shoulder on a theft attempt Tuesday. All signs point toward Neto being back in the starting lineup shortly -- possibly for the Angels' next game, which takes place Tuesday in Atlanta.

The Astros placed Pena on the 10-day injured list Monday due to a small rib fracture on his left side.

Pena suffered the injury when he was hit by a pitch in Friday's 7-4 win over the Cubs. Initial X-rays came back negative, but additional imaging and a CT scan revealed that a fracture. The Astros haven't provided a timeline for Pena's return, but he'll almost certainly be on the shelf for longer than the minimum 10 days. Mauricio Dubon is likely to serve as the Astros' primary shortstop while Pena is sidelined.

The White Sox outrighted Palisch to Double-A Birmingham on Sunday.

Palisch made one appearance for the White Sox earlier this month before being optioned to Birmingham, allowing two earned runs over an inning of work in his major-league debut. He's now off the White Sox's 40-man roster but will remain in the organization.