MLB Player News

The Blue Jays optioned Lee to Triple-A Buffalo on Friday.

The move makes room on the Blue Jays' 26-man roster for newcomer Matt Waldron. Lee appeared in two games out of Toronto's bullpen after being recalled Wednesday, allowing one unearned run on one hit and one walk while striking out one batter across two frames. He has spent most of the 2026 season in Triple-A, where he has a 2.20 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, five saves and a 40:18 K:BB over 45 innings.

Mullins is not in the Rays' starting lineup against the Mariners on Friday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Even though the Mariners are sending right-hander Logan Gilbert to the mound, the lefty-hitting Mullins will open Friday's game on the bench while Jonny DeLuca starts in center field and bats sixth. Mullins has gone 12-for-53 (.226) with three steals (in four attempts), two home runs, five RBI and 10 runs scored since the All-Star break.

Alexander played catch Friday for the first time since sustaining a fractured left hand before the All-Star break, Andy Kostka of TheBanner.com reports.

Alexander told reporters after Friday's session that he's hoping to progress to a hitting program next week when the Orioles are in Minnesota for a three-game series against the Twins. Baltimore should have a better sense of Alexander's recovery timeline once he's cleared to take the next step in his recovery. He was in the midst of a strong 2026 season prior to his injury with an .807 OPS, nine steals (in 12 attempts), four home runs and 29 RBI over 244 plate appearances.

The Rays recalled Williams from Triple-A Durham on Friday.

The move bolsters the Rays' infield depth after Ben Williamson (hamstring) was placed on the 10-day injured list. Williams made the Rays' Opening Day roster as the team's starting shortstop but has spent the majority of the 2026 season in Triple-A, where he is slashing .226/.318/.392 with 17 steals (in 24 chances), 11 home runs and 51 RBI over 358 plate appearances.

The Rays placed Williamson on the 10-day injured list Friday, retroactive to Thursday, due to a right hamstring strain.

Williamson tweaked his hamstring during Wednesday's game against the Rockies, and the injury is severe enough for him to require a stint on the injured list. A minimum stint on the IL would have him on track to return around mid-August, but Rays manager Kevin Cash relayed Friday that Williamson is "going to be out for some time," with the team hopeful that the 25-year-old will return for the end of the regular season, per Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. Carson Williams was recalled from Triple-A Durham in a corresponding move to bolster the Rays' infield depth in Williamson's absence.

Leiter (ankle) is scheduled to throw a live batting practice session Saturday, Jeff Wilson of AllDLLS.com reports.

Leiter continues to work his way back from right ankle surgery that he underwent in late June. He's aiming to toss 45 pitches in Saturday's session, and if all goes well, he may need just two rehab starts before being cleared to return to the majors.

White Sox general manager Chris Getz said Friday that Bart is expected to be sidelined for "over a month" due to a left hand fracture, James Fegan of SoxMachine.com reports.

Bart's hand was hit by a pitch during Thursday's game against Boston. The veteran catcher is set to be sidelined until at least mid-September, and how he progresses in his recovery program will determine whether he'll be back in action with the White Sox before the conclusion of the 2026 season. With Kyle Teel also sidelined until at least September due to a left high-ankle sprain, Drew Romo and Edgar Quero will handle catching duties for the White Sox moving forward.

Bateman will start in center field and bat ninth against the Phillies on Friday.

Bateman was acquired by the Blue Jays in a trade that sent Kevin Gausman to the Cubs. Bateman did not have to wait long for an opportunity, as he will make his major-league debut Friday. He posted an .851 OPS with 20 steals (in 23 chances), three home runs and 33 RBI across 349 plate appearances with Triple-A Iowa prior to his trade to Toronto.

Rangers manager Skip Schumacher told reporters Friday that Quantrill will move out of the rotation and into the bullpen, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

The Rangers will go with a five-man rotation, which means both Quantrill and Jordan Montgomery will shift over to the bullpen. Quantrill had been a part of Texas' rotation since late June, and across seven starts he posted a 1-4 record with a 3.51 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 23:9 K:BB over 33.1 innings. It wouldn't be surprising to see Quantrill operate as a long reliever out of the bullpen over the remainder of the season unless a spot opens up in the rotation over the last few weeks of the regular season.

Rangers manager Skip Schumaker said Friday that both Montgomery and Cal Quantrill will both move to the bullpen, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

Montgomery was activated from the 60-day injured list Friday after fully recovering from March 2025 UCL surgery. He'll work out of the bullpen in his return, and his first time on the mound with the Rangers will mark his first major-league appearance since September of 2024. During that 2024 regular season with the Diamondbacks, Montgomery posted an 8-7 record across 25 games (21 starts) with a 6.23 ERA, 1.65 WHIP and 83:44 K:BB over 117 frames.