MLB Player News

Bell is absent from the lineup for Thursday's game versus the Royals.

Bell is 9-for-26 at the plate during a modest seven-game hitting streak, but he will take a seat for Thursday's series opener. Byron Buxton is getting a start at designated hitter, while James Outman will patrol center field for the Twins.

Valenzuela isn't in the lineup for Thursday's game against Atlanta.

Valenzuela will step out of the starting nine Thursday after going 1-for-6 with a solo homer and three strikeouts across the first two games of the series. Tyler Heineman will fill in as Toronto's catcher and bat eighth.

The Blue Jays designated Andrews for assignment Thursday.

Andrews turned in a pair of scoreless outings after being selected to the active roster last week but was optioned back to Triple-A shortly thereafter. He'll now end up as the odd man out of a 40-man spot to make room for Chad Dallas, who was selected to the big-league roster in a corresponding move. Andrews owns a 1.29 ERA through 21 innings at Buffalo, which could draw interest on the waiver wire from teams in search of bullpen help.

The Blue Jays selected Dallas' contract from Triple-A Buffalo on Thursday.

Dallas is in line to serve as the bulk reliever Thursday in Atlanta in what will be his major-league debut. The 25-year-old has put up a 4.50 ERA and 38:13 K:BB over 36 innings during his time with Buffalo this season in his first year back from Tommy John surgery. Dylan Cease (hamstring) and Max Scherzer (forearm) are both due back soon, so Dallas could be sent back down following Thursday's outing.

The Blue Jays optioned Juenger to Triple-A Buffalo on Thursday.

Juenger appeared in two games for Toronto after being recalled from Triple-A on Saturday, giving up three earned runs on two hits and two walks across two innings. He'll now head back to the minors to make room for Chad Dallas, who was selected to the active roster in a corresponding move.

The Astros signed Wade to a one-year contract Thursday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Wade slashed .250/.420/.441 with seven home runs over 201 plate appearances at Triple-A Charlotte in the White Sox organization before exercising an opt-out clause in his minor-league deal. The 32-year-old's best path to at-bats in Houston is in left field, but he'll likely be primarily relegated to a reserve role.

The Orioles designated Nunez for assignment Thursday.

Nunez was just acquired via trade from the Athletics in May, but the Orioles will now clear him off the 40-man roster to make room for a new trade acquisition in Kyle Nicolas. The 26-year-old Nunez has posted a 7.13 ERA and 21:19 K:BB across 17.2 frames in the minors this season.

The Orioles acquired Nicolas from the Reds on Thursday in exchange for cash considerations.

Nicolas had been designated for assignment and is now on the move to his third organization since March. The hard-throwing reliever has spent most of his time this season at Triple-A Louisville, where he held a 5.17 ERA and 20:17 K:BB over 15.2 innings. He will report to Triple-A Norfolk.

The Red Sox transferred Story (abdomen) to the 60-day injured list Thursday, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.

Story underwent surgery two weeks ago to repair a sports hernia. He had seemed to have a chance to make it back before missing 60-plus days, but now Story is ineligible for activation until after the All-Star break. Marcelo Mayer will continue to serve as Boston's primary shortstop while Story recovers.

The Red Sox optioned Samaniego to Triple-A Worcester on Thursday, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.

Samaniego has fared well with the Red Sox this season, posting a 2.66 ERA and 17:8 K:BB over 20.1 innings, but he's being sent out in order to clear a spot for the addition of Tommy Kahnle to the Boston bullpen. The left-handed Samaniego should get another chance with the big club later this summer.