MLB Player News

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.

Bassitt has flown back to Baltimore to have his injured back examined by team doctors, Andy Kostka of TheBanner.com reports.

Bassitt had to exit Wednesday's start against the Red Sox after just three innings due to lower-back tightness. He's tentatively scheduled to take the ball Monday versus the Mariners, but more will be known about Bassitt's status after he's looked at by the Orioles' medical personnel.

Dominguez (shoulder) will begin a rehab assignment Friday, Greg Joyce of the New York Post reports.

Dominguez will play rehab games Friday and Sunday, and he's expected to need a few more next week before rejoining the active roster. That could point to a return as soon as the weekend of June 12-14, though the Yankees could wait until the start of their next homestand June 16 before activating Dominguez, who is coming back from a left shoulder AC joint sprain.

Royals manager Matt Quatraro said Wednesday that he will play the matchups in the ninth inning for the short term, but he still views Erceg as a long-term closer option, Joel Goldberg of Bally Sports Kansas City reports.

Quatraro made the statement prior to Alex Lange notching his first save of the season in Wednesday's win over the Reds. Erceg blew his sixth save of the season Tuesday and holds a 6.45 ERA with a 20:15 K:BB across 22.1 innings this season. While Erceg could still see save chances for the Royals in the immediate future, he will have to contend with Lange, Daniel Lynch and Matt Strahm. Carlos Estevez (shoulder) should also throw his hat back in the ring if he can get healthy.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Thursday that Stanton (calf) will not be activated from the 10-day injured list during the team's June 8-14 road trip, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Stanton took live batting practice Wednesday and will do so again Saturday as he ramps things up, but he's still more than a week away from rejoining the active roster. It's unclear whether the Yankees will ask him to play rehab games before returning, but Stanton is tracking toward activation around mid-June.

Diaz (oblique) has been hitting, throwing and catching bullpen sessions during workouts this week and is close to heading out on a rehab assignment, MLB.com reports.

The Astros haven't offered up an official timeline for Diaz's return from the left oblique strain that sent him to the injured list May 5, but if he's cleared to join a minor-league affiliate within the next few days, he could have a realistic shot at rejoining the big club by the middle of June. Since Diaz was deactivated, Christian Vazquez has taken over as the Astros' No. 1 catcher, with Cesar Salazar serving as Vazquez's backup.

The Astros announced Friday that Walter (elbow) is in the midst of a throwing progression at the team's complex in West Palm Beach, Fla., Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Walter is one of three Astros starters in Florida rehabbing from Tommy John surgery, though Hayden Wesneski (elbow) and Ronel Blanco (elbow) are further along in their programs after undergoing procedures in May and June of last year, respectively. Both Wesneski and Blanco will have chances at returning from the 60-day injured list late in the season, but since he had his surgery Sept. 23, 2025, Walter isn't a realistic candidate to pitch until 2027. Walter's main focus will be building up toward facing live hitters by the end of the season with the aim of entering spring training with few restrictions, if any.