MLB Player News

Keys went 2-for-4 with a walk, two home runs and four RBI for Triple-A Buffalo on Wednesday.

The 23-year-old third baseman began the year with a .287/.419/.585 slash line and 14 homers in 49 games for Double-A New Hampshire, and since getting promoted to Buffalo in early June, Keys has kept right on slugging with a .288/.408/.712 line and six long balls in his first 17 games at Triple-A. A fourth-round pick in the 2024 First-Year Player Draft out of Bucknell, Keys is knocking loudly on the door of the majors, but it's unclear where he might fit this summer on a Blue Jays roster that has Vladimir Guerrero at first base, Kazuma Okamoto at third and George Springer at DH.

Knack (chest) began a rehab assignment with Triple-A Oklahoma City on Thursday, yielding two runs on five hits and one walk over 1.1 innings.

Knack struck out a pair in the outing and got his pitch count up to 33. The right-hander has been out all season with an intercostal strain, and he will be built up as a starting pitcher before likely remaining in the OKC rotation once he's activated from the 60-day injured list.

Rodriguez is absent from the lineup for Thursday's contest versus the Mariners.

Rodriguez started each of the previous three games at catcher, so he's earned a breather during Thursday's matinee. Henry Davis is doing the catching and batting ninth for the Pirates.

The Pirates are expected to place Horwitz (hamstring) on the 10-day injured list, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

Horwitz was lifted from Wednesday's game against the Mariners because of left hamstring discomfort. It's unclear at this point how severe the strain is, but even a mild one could knock Horwitz out through the All-Star break. While Horwitz is sidelined, the Pirates will likely use Ryan O'Hearn at first base and Marcell Ozuna at designated hitter most days.

Paddack elected free agency Wednesday after clearing waivers.

Rather than accepting an outright assignment to Triple-A Louisville after the Reds designated him for assignment Monday, Paddack will head to the open market in search of his next opportunity. After going 0-7 with a 6.96 ERA, 1.66 WHIP and 39:19 K:BB in 53 innings over his 13 appearances (nine starts) between the Twins and Reds this season, Paddack may have to settle for a minor-league deal if he wants to keep his career going.

Canzone is not in the lineup for Thursday's contest in Pittsburgh.

Canzone returned to the lineup Wednesday following a one-day absence with a right hamstring injury, but he'll be back on the bench Thursday. He did not suffer any known setback Wednesday, so the Mariners are likely just giving Canzone a break for Thursday's matinee. Cal Raleigh is in the designated-hitter slot, and Mitch Garver will grab a start at catcher.

The Cubs outrighted Peralta to Triple-A Iowa on Wednesday.

Over the weekend, the Cubs became the third organization to designate Peralta for assignment in 2026. The 25-year-old lefty was scooped up off waivers on the previous two occasions, but after going unclaimed this time around, he'll stick around in the Cubs organization but will no longer be part of the 40-man roster. Peralta has posted a 4.70 ERA, 1.76 WHIP and 21:16 K:BB over 15.1 innings at Iowa since the Cubs claimed him May 3.

DeLuca is not in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Royals.

DeLuca has now started five of seven contests since returning from the injured list last week. The Rays are going with Cedric Mullins in center field and Victor Mesa in right field in Thursday's series finale.

Massey is absent from the lineup for Thursday's game against the Rays.

The Rays have a right-handed opener (Casey Legumina) followed by a left-handed bulk reliever (Ian Seymour) going in the series finale, so the left-handed-swinging Massey will take a seat. Josh Rojas is at second base and will bat fifth for the Royals.

Witt (knee) remains out of the lineup for Thursday's contest versus the Rays.

Witt will miss a sixth consecutive start as he deals with a Grade 1 MCL sprain of his right knee. He has been available off the bench the last couple days, so Witt does appear likely to avoid a trip to the injured list. His next opportunity to return to the Royals' lineup will come Friday in Chicago against the division-leading White Sox.