MLB Player News

Walton is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Rangers.

The left-handed-hitting Walton will hit the bench for the second day in a row while the Rangers send another southpaw (Cody Bradford) to the bump. Alika Williams will replace Walton at second base and will bat eighth.

The Astros optioned Blanco to Triple-A Sugar Land on Sunday.

The 32-year-old right-hander has struggled to return to form since making his 2026 debut for the Astros in late July after completing his recovery from his June 2025 Tommy John surgery with an internal brace. After posting a 6.98 ERA and 1.34 WHIP through his first four starts with Houston, Blanco was shifted to a relief role and was promptly roughed up for five earned runs on seven hits and one walk in four innings in his first appearance out of the bullpen in Saturday's 10-5 loss to the Mariners. The Astros recalled right-hander Miguel Ullola from Triple-A to take Blanco's spot in the bullpen.

Lopez is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Athletics.

The left-handed hitter will retreat to the bench for the second time in the series against another southpaw in Jacob Lopez. Justin Foscue will fill in for Lopez at the keystone and bat fifth.

Kikuchi (shoulder) said Sunday that he expects to join the Angels on their upcoming six-game road trip and believes he'll be ready to return from the 60-day injured list during that time, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

The veteran southpaw hasn't been informed that he's on track to be activated, but he'll meet with the Angels' brass Sunday to determine whether he'll be sent for another rehab start or not. Kikuchi certainly hasn't looked like a pitcher ready to return to the big leagues, as he was roughed up for eight earned runs over 4.2 innings in his latest outing Saturday with Single-A Rancho Cucamonga and has posted a 15.63 ERA, 2.37 WHIP and 24:8 K:BB over 12.2 innings in four starts between Single-A and Triple-A Salt Lake. If the Angels are comfortable adding Kikuchi back to the rotation during their road trip, he would likely start either Friday or Saturday in Arlington versus the Rangers.

Roden is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Phillies.

Though he produced a three-hit effort in his most recent start Wednesday, Roden has unsurprisingly been the odd man out of the lineup following Byron Buxton's return from the injured list Thursday. Roden will hit the bench for a third straight game while the Twins go with Trevor Larnach, Buxton and Luke Keaschall as their starting outfield trio from left to right.

Kreidler is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Phillies.

Kreidler will hit the bench for the third time in five games as he settles into a utility role following the promotion of top prospect Kaelen Culpepper on Aug. 7. Though he had been swinging a hot bat earlier in the season for Minnesota, Kreidler has fallen back to earth in the second half, slashing just .178/.200/.260 with a 25.3 percent strikeout rate in 25 games since the All-Star break.

Way (back) is expected to start a rehab assignment with Double-A Northwest Arkansas next week, per MLB.com.

After landing on the injured list July 28 due to low-back spasms and tightness, Way has worked through a throwing progression with no issues and is closing in on a rehab assignment. The 27-year-old has made 19 appearances with the Royals this season, posting a 3.86 ERA, 1.59 WHIP and 21:10 K:BB across 23.1 innings.

Mears (shoulder) is scheduled to throw another bullpen early this week as he continues his mound progression, MLB.com reports.

Mears has been shelved since May 29 due to a right shoulder impingement and has dealt with multiple setbacks, but the 29-year-old could finally be nearing a rehab assignment. Before hitting the injured list, the right-hander posted a 5.12 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 15:11 K:BB across 19.1 innings.

The Athletics claimed Rock off waivers from the White Sox on Sunday and optioned him to Triple-A Las Vegas.

Rock will join his third organization this season after spending time with both the Rays and the White Sox in 2026. All four of Rock's appearances in the big leagues came with the White Sox, with theleft-hander compiling a 3.48 ERA, 2.13 WHIP and 12:11 K:BB over 10.1 innings. The Athletics transferred Justin Sterner (knee) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL to clear room on the 40-man roster for Rock.

The Athletics transferred Sterner (knee) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Sunday.

After undergoing right knee surgery Friday, Sterner had already been ruled out for the rest of the season. His move to the 60-day injured list is merely procedural, as it opens up a spot on the 40-man roster for waiver pickup Joe Rock. The 29-year-old Sterner logged a 6.12 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 40:13 K:BB over 42.2 innings out of the bullpen before hitting the shelf July 18.