MLB Player News

The Cardinals selected Rajcic's contract from Triple-A Memphis on Thursday.

A sixth-round pick in the 2022 First-Year Player Draft, Rajcic's career had stalled out as a starting pitcher. However, he has blossomed this season after moving to the bullpen, posting a 2.88 ERA and 46:14 K:BB over 40.2 innings with Memphis. Rajcic will be making his major-league debut when/if he enters a game, and he'll likely fill a multi-inning middle relief role.

The Cardinals designated Roycroft for assignment Thursday.

The transaction clears space on the 40-man roster for the addition of Max Rajcic. Roycroft has flashed promise in spurts for the Cardinals but holds an unsightly 6.41 ERA, 1.77 WHIP and 52:37 K:BB over 60.1 innings covering parts of three big-league seasons.

Roupp and the Giants won't face Atlanta on Thursday, as the game was postponed due to inclement weather.

Thursday's game will be pushed back to Aug. 31; meanwhile, Roupp's next start is likely to come Friday during San Francisco's series opener in Miami. The 27-year-old has struggled since the beginning of June, giving up four or more runs in two of his three starts this month while failing to make it through the fifth inning on both occasions.

The Reds selected Banfield's contract Thursday and optioned him to Triple-A Louisville.

Banfield will remain in the minors despite joining the 40-man roster, claiming the spot that previously belonged to P.J. Higgins. Banfield has spent the entire season at Louisville while slashing .281/.337/.439 with six home runs, 34 RBI and 26 runs across 189 plate appearances. He'd likely be promoted if Tyler Stephenson or Jose Trevino were to miss any amount of time.

Higgins cleared waivers Thursday and was sent outright to Triple-A Louisville.

After losing his place on the active roster Sunday following Jose Trevino's return from the injured list, Higgins will now also be booted off the Reds' 40-man roster. The 33-year-old backstop posted a .545 OPS across 14 games with the big club and hasn't been better since moving to Triple-A, slashing just .125/.375/.125 over 48 plate appearances. Fellow catcher Will Banfield was selected to the 40-man roster in a corresponding move.

The Cardinals will call up Rajcic from Triple-A Memphis prior to Thursday's game in Kansas City, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

St. Louis cleared a 26-man roster spot by previously sending Chris Roycroft down, though it will need to free a spot on the 40-man roster for Rajcic. The righty transitioned to a full-time relief role this season at Memphis and has thrived, logging a 2.88 ERA and 46:14 K:BB over 40.2 innings. Rajcic will be making his major-league debut when/if he gets into a game.

Frelick is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against Cleveland.

Lefty Parker Messick is starting for the Guardians, so the left-handed-hitting Frelick will get a breather for the series finale. He'll cede his spot in right field to Jake Bauers, who will bat fifth.

Hamilton is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Guardians.

The Brewers will send the Hamilton to the bench for the series finale along with fellow left-handed hitters Sal Frelick and Garrett Mitchell while Milwaukee stocks up on some extra right-handed bats to counter Guardians southpaw Parker Messick. Hamilton had started in Milwaukee's last seven games, going 3-for-20 at the dish over that stretch to bring his batting average down to .230 for the season.

Ray (5-6) took the win in the resumption of Tuesday's game against Atlanta on Wednesday, allowing two hits and two walks while striking out eight across 6.1 scoreless innings in a 7-2 victory.

Adrian Houser started the contest Tuesday before it was suspended by inclement weather and resumed Wednesday. Ray entered in the second inning with a 3-2 lead and never let it go, recording his second win in his last three appearances. The 34-year-old southpaw struck out a season-high eight batters. He now owns a 4.07 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 74:38 K:BB across 79.2 innings in 15 outings.

Ramos (quadriceps) went 1-for-5 with a walk and a run scored in Triple-A Sacramento's 9-6 win over Oklahoma City on Wednesday.

Ramos began his rehab assignment with Sacramento after landing on the 10-day injured list May 16 with a right quadriceps strain. The 26-year-old outfielder singled in the fifth before coming around to score, and he also drew a walk in the sixth. Before he was sent to the IL, Ramos slashed .267/.307/.424 with 20 RBI, 19 runs scored, four home runs and a 26.7 percent strikeout rate across 176 plate appearances.