MLB Player News

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.

Estevez (shoulder) is scheduled to throw a bullpen Sunday before being re-evaluated, per MLB.com.

Estevez has been on the injured list since April 1, initially due to a left foot contusion before he suffered a right rotator cuff strain during a rehab outing May 6. The veteran right-hander began a mound progression Aug. 7 and has yet to experience any hiccups. The Royals have struggled mightily to fill the closer role in Estevez's absence this season, with Steven Cruz currently serving as the top option in the ninth inning.

Peraza (hand) will start at second base and bat seventh in Sunday's game against the Royals.

Peraza made his most recent start in Wednesday's 5-2 win over the Rangers, exiting that game early due to a left hand contusion. The injury never appeared to be much of a concern, as he was used off the bench as a pinch runner in Friday's 7-6 loss and will now return to the lineup for the series finale. Peraza is expected to handle a part-time role for the Angels moving forward while he's produced a lackluster .229/.276/.353 slash line across 313 plate appearances on the season.

Valencia is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the White Sox.

Valencia started the last three games, all against left-handed pitchers, and went 5-for-11 with two home runs, a double and four RBI, but he'll head to the bench against White Sox righty Sean Burke. The Tigers haven't yet cleared the way for Valencia to receive a full run of at-bats against right-handed pitching, but with a 1.291 OPS through his first 54 plate appearances in the majors, it wouldn't be a surprise if he soon gets a look in a near-everyday role between catcher and DH.

Clarke (hamstring) could begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Las Vegas as early as Tuesday, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Clarke has been shelved since April 22, first with a bone bruise in his right foot then by a strained left hamstring he picked up during a rehab game in late May. With the center fielder wrapping up his running progression in Arizona, he's nearing a return to game action. The Athletics are likely to give Clarke an extended rehab assignment to get back in a rhythm, putting his potential return to the big-league club around the end of August or beginning of September.

Martinez is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Padres.

Martinez's playing time appeared to be trending up after he produced five extra-base knocks during an eight-game hitting streak that ran from Aug. 4 through Thursday, but he now finds himself on the bench for the third time in four contests. With Martinez taking a seat, the Guardians will roll out a starting outfield of Jo Adell, Steven Kwan and Chase DeLauter from left to right.

Genao is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Padres.

For just the second time since being promoted from Triple-A Columbus on Aug. 5, Genao will hit the bench. Rhys Hoskins will enter the starting nine as a replacement for Genao, who has produced a .294/.368/.412 slash line with one home run, one stolen base, three RBI and seven runs through his first 10 big-league games.