MLB Player News

Baltimore optioned Nunez to Triple-A Norfolk on Wednesday.

Nunez will head back to Norfolk after spending over a month with the big-league club. The 25-year-old had allowed just two runs in 8.2 innings over his last seven appearances, but he issued eight walks during that stretch. Nunez will cede his spot on the 26-man active roster and in the bullpen to right-hander Alex Hoppe, who was acquired from the Mariners on Monday.

The Blue Jays recalled Lee from Triple-A Buffalo on Wednesday.

Lee will make his way to the majors with the club in need of some relief help out of the bullpen. With Buffalo, the 27-year-old has posted a 2.20 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 40:18 K:BB over 45 innings this season. Toronto demoted Chad Dallas to Buffalo in order to make room for Lee on the active roster.

Toronto recalled Estrada from Triple-A Buffalo on Wednesday.

After being elevated to the big-league club Monday and then sent back down Tuesday, Estrada will rejoin Toronto on Wednesday. The 27-year-old has made just four appearances with the Blue Jays this season. With Trey Yesavage (knee) sidelined on the 15-day injured list, Toronto was in need of an extra arm that can give them length out of the bullpen.

Toronto demoted Dallas to Triple-A Buffalo on Wednesday.

Dallas appeared in Tuesday's game against Houston, allowing six runs on seven hits and four walks while striking out three in three innings. The 26-year-old made just one outing after being recalled from Triple-A on July 29. The Blue Jays recalled Chase Lee to replace Dallas on the active roster.

Toronto placed Vesavage on the 15-day injured list Wednesday due to left knee inflammation.

After exiting in the third inning of his start in Tuesday's loss to the Astros due to left knee discomfort, Yesavage was sent in for an MRI on Wednesday. Though imaging doesn't appear to have revealed anything more than inflammation, the young right-hander will need to be shut down for at least the next two weeks. The Blue Jays had planned to move to a six-man rotation this week, but rather than replacing Yesavage, the team could simply get by a five-man rotation until Yesavage is ready to return from the IL.

Bednar notched a save against the Cardinals on Tuesday, intentionally walking one batter and striking out three over 1.1 scoreless and hitless innings.

Bednar took the mound with two outs in the top of the eighth inning with runners at second and third and New York nursing a 2-0 lead. He began by intentionally walking pinch hitter Alec Burleson before striking out Nelson Velazquez on three pitches. The star closer returned for the ninth and retired all three batters he faced, the final two by strikeout. It was the continuation of a dominant stretch for Bednar -- he's converted 15 straight save opportunities, posting a 0.91 ERA, 0.71 WHIP and 34:9 K:BB across 29.2 innings during that stretch. On the season, he's up to 25 saves, tied for sixth most in the majors.

General manager Dana Brown said Sunday that the Astros are targeting "mid-August, potentially the third week of August" for Matthews' (knee) return from the 10-day injured list, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Per MLB.com, Matthews has been cleared to field grounders and hit on the field, but he has yet to resume running at full speed since landing on the injured list July 17 due to a left knee sprain. Before going down with the injury, Matthews had made six starts in center field over a seven-game stretch, but he'll be in search of playing time elsewhere once he returns after Houston acquired Daulton Varsho from Toronto on Monday.

Diaz is absent from the lineup for Wednesday's game against Colorado, Ryan Bass of Rays.tv reports.

After going 2-for-5 with a double, two runs scored, a walk and a stolen base in Tuesday's 9-7 win in 11 innings, Diaz will get some rest for a Wednesday matinee game. Jonathan Aranda will slot in as the Rays' designated hitter in Diaz's stead and will bat second.

Mariners general manager Justin Hollander said Tuesday that Raley is expected to miss the rest of the season after sustaining a left forearm strain, Adam Jude of The Seattle Times reports.

Per MLB.com, Raley had been dealing with discomfort in his forearm/elbow for multiple weeks before the Mariners elected to place him on the injured list Saturday. The Mariners are still deciding on a treatment plan for Raley, with surgery seemingly not being ruled out. A right-handed thrower, Raley won't be affected by the injury in the field, but since he bats from the left side, he'll require a lengthy recovery even if he's able to avoid surgery and instead treats the injury with rest and rehab. Raley's injury was likely a major factor in the Mariners' acquisition Monday of Taylor Ward, who served as a designated hitter in Tuesday's loss to the Tigers but is expected to serve as Raley's primary replacement in right field.

Mears (shoulder) is scheduled to begin a mound progression next week, MLB.com reports.

Mears has been sidelined since May 29 due to a right shoulder impingement and has dealt with multiple setbacks in his recovery, but after resuming a throwing program July 29, the right-hander is nearing a return to mound work. The 29-year-old will almost certainly need a rehab assignment before being activated, but if no new setbacks arise during his progression, a return before the end of August is possible. On the year, Mears owns a 5.12 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 15:11 K:BB across 19.1 innings.