MLB Player News

The Rays optioned Madrigal to Triple-A Durham on Thursday.

Madrigal went 3-for-10 and drove in one run during his brief time on the big-league roster. His roster spot is being absorbed by Taylor Walls (hip), who has returned from the injured list.

The Rays activated Walls (hip) from the 10-day injured list Thursday.

Walls required just a minimum 10-day absence as he recovered from a right hip flexor strain. He'll return to a lowly .218/.304/.292 batting line. Nick Madrigal was sent down to Triple-A Durham in a corresponding roster move.

Rave went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in Wednesday's 5-2 win over Houston.

Rave opened the scoring with a two-run blast in the fourth inning. The 28-year-old has seen more action in right field this season, but he patrolled center field in favor of the light-hitting Kyle Isbel on Wednesday. In 131 plate appearances, Rave is slashing .219/.310/.447 with six homers, 13 RBI, 22 runs and seven stolen bases.

Bleday is not in the lineup for Thursday's contest against the Dodgers.

It's a rare day off for Bleday, who is slashing only .182/.287/.291 over 43 games since Aug. 1. TJ Friedl will cover left field for the Reds in Bleday's stead.

Contreras went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run in Wednesday's 7-3 loss to the Rangers.

Contreras belted a two-run homer in the first inning that gave Boston an early lead. The blast was his career-high 27th and accounted for his 81st RBI, which is also a career-best figure.

Suarez is absent from the lineup for Thursday's game versus the Dodgers.

He'll receive the afternoon off after starting the last six contests for the Reds. Elly De La Cruz is getting a day at designated hitter, and Ke'Bryan Hayes will play third base while Suarez rests.

Foscue started at second base and batted leadoff, going 2-for-5 with a double, an RBI and a run scored in Wednesday's 7-3 win over Boston.

Foscue settled in at leadoff for a third consecutive game, all against left-handed starters. He typically doesn't start against righties. Foscue has hammered southpaws this season, posting a slash line of .326/.397/.607 with eight home runs and 27 RBI over 151 plate appearances.

Doyle (blister) is listed as Double-A Springfield's probable starter for Thursday's Texas League playoff game versus Tulsa.

Doyle was lifted from his last outing with Springfield due to a blister, but he's ready to go after getting seven days of rest in between starts. The left-hander was dynamite down the stretch of the regular season, collecting a 1.73 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 59:25 K:BB over 52 innings covering his final 10 starts.

Eovaldi improved to 11-9 on the season after allowing one hit and no walks while striking out one batter over four scoreless innings out of the bullpen in Wednesday's 7-3 win over the Red Sox.

Eovaldi made his second relief appearance since coming off the injured list last weekend and shut down the Red Sox. He was needed for length as starter MacKenzie Gore battled muscle spasms in his shoulder and was limited to four innings. After tossing 46 pitches Wednesday, Eovaldi could be built up enough to make an abbreviated start or bulk-relief appearance at some point during the final week of the regular season. The Rangers could have some openings in the rotation, as Gore and Cal Quantrill (back) are battling injuries, while Cody Bradford has gone 0-5 with a 4.72 ERA in his seven starts since returning from the 60-day IL in early August.

Nationals president of baseball operations Paul Toboni said Wednesday that Early (elbow) is tentatively scheduled to make his team debut Sept. 26 against the Mets, Spencer Nusbaum of The Athletic reports.

Early made his first rehab appearance with Triple-A Rochester on Tuesday, allowing three runs and throwing 35 pitches in one inning. The southpaw is scheduled to throw again Sunday -- presumably at Rochester -- before making his Nationals debut on the penultimate day of the regular season. Acquired at the trade deadline from the Red Sox, Early has missed the better part of three months with left elbow inflammation.