MLB Player News

The Padres designated Otto (undisclosed) for assignment Sunday.

The right-hander is on the injured list at Triple-A El Paso and has now been removed from the Padres' 40-man roster. The specifics of the injury are unclear, and that -- combined with a 4.63 ERA for El Paso this season -- is an indicator he's likely to pass through waivers unclaimed.

Tauchman is not in the starting lineup for Sunday's series finale against the Royals.

The lefty-hitting Tauchman will begin Sunday's contest on the bench with Kansas City sending southpaw Cole Ragans to the mound. Seiya Suzuki will start in right field and bat third.

Small (oblique) shifted his rehab assignment to Single-A San Jose on Saturday and struck out two while allowing one hit and no walks over one inning.

Small was cleared to join the Giants' California League affiliate after he struck out four over three innings of a one-run ball across his three rehab appearances in the rookie-level Arizona Complex League. The southpaw will eventually move his rehab assignment up to Triple-A Sacramento, and he could remain with the Giants' top affiliate once he's activated from the 60-day injured list after his 30-day rehab window comes to a close. Small has been on the shelf all season with a right oblique strain.

Bader (ankle) is not in the starting lineup for Sunday's series finale against Atlanta.

Bader has not played since rolling his ankle Tuesday against the Yankees. The Mets will start Ben Gamel, Tyrone Taylor and Jeff McNeil in the outfield Sunday.

Atlanta will start Holmes against the Brewers on Monday, Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

The right-hander has worked out of the bullpen since being called up by Atlanta in mid-June, though he's primarily worked in long relief and has covered at least three frames in five of his 10 outings. Holmes threw a season-high 52 pitches in his previous appearance Wednesday, so he should be able to provide some length even if it's not quite a full starter's workload.

The Giants optioned Birdsong to Single-A San Jose on Sunday.

San Francisco previously optioned Birdsong to Single-A this past Monday, but the rookie right-hander didn't have to miss a turn through the rotation since the Giants were able to recall him from the minors to have him serve as the 27th man for Saturday's doubleheader with the Rockies. Birdsong took the hill for the second game of the twin bill and spun another gem, striking out eight over five shutout innings while the Giants rolled to a 5-0 win. Now that Birdsong has been optioned to the minors again, the Giants would need to place a player on the injured list in a corresponding move in order for the 22-year-old to be eligible to rejoin the big club in fewer than 15 days. Even though Birdsong holds a 2.97 ERA and 30.2 percent strikeout rate in the majors this season, it's unclear if the Giants will have room for him in their rotation. The Giants returned lefty Robbie Ray from the 60-day injured list this past week, and another starter in right-hander Alex Cobb (hip/shoulder) could be ready to come off the 60-day IL during the upcoming week.

Martinez is not in the starting lineup for Sunday's game against Atlanta.

Martinez will get a breather after striking out in all four of his plate appearances Saturday. Brandon Nimmo will serve as the designated hitter Sunday and bat third against Atlanta right-hander Reynaldo Lopez.

Puk allowed one walk and struck out one over a scoreless eighth inning in Saturday's 9-5 win over the Pirates.

Puk made his debut for the Diamondbacks after being acquired from the Marlins on Thursday. The left-hander was brought in to face the top of the Pirates order, which included three right-handed batters, so it would seem manager Torey Lovullo is comfortable using the new reliever against all hitters. Puk becomes the second lefty out of the bullpen along with Joe Mantiply, who typically gets opponents' toughest lefties and can now get a break. Puk will join other setup arms, like Kevin Ginkel, Justin Martinez and Ryan Thompson.

The Nationals recalled Call from Triple-A Rochester on Sunday.

Call will take the vacated spot on the 26-man roster left by Jesse Winker, who was traded to the Mets on Saturday. In Triple-A this season, Call is slashing .222/.362/.413 with 13 stolen bases, 11 home runs and 50 RBI over 312 plate appearances.

Beck (hand) transferred his rehab assignment to Triple-A Albuquerque on Saturday and went 2-for-3 with a run scored while also reaching base on a hit-by-pitch.

Beck moved to Albuquerque after going 3-for-11 with two runs scored across his first three rehab games in the rookie-level Arizona Complex League. The rookie outfielder has been on the shelf since late May after fracturing his left hand and undergoing surgery, so he'll likely remain with Albuquerque for at least a few more game before the Rockies consider activating him from the 10-day injured list. Colorado could have an everyday role available in the outfield for Beck when he returns if Beck is reinstated before Nolan Jones (back), who has resumed taking batting practice but isn't yet playing in rehab games.