MLB Player News

The Rangers optioned O'Hoppe to Triple-A Round Rock on Saturday.

Since joining the Rangers on Aug. 23, O'Hoppe has gone 6-for-17 with an RBI and five runs scored across 10 games. Despite making the most of his limited opportunities, he'll be squeezed off the Rangers' bench to make room on the active roster for Josh Jung (calf), who returned from the injured list Saturday. O'Hoppe is likely to play out the remainder of the season at Triple-A.

The Rangers optioned Macko to Triple-A Round Rock on Saturday.

Macko has coughed up seven runs (six earned) in just 6.2 innings since joining the big club Aug. 28. His poor performance will end up costing him a spot in the Rangers' bullpen as the team makes room for Nathan Eovaldi's (elbow) return from the injured list.

Sears allowed four runs on seven hits and one walk while striking out five batters over 4.1 innings in a no-decision against Colorado on Saturday.

Sears was recalled from Triple-A early in the day to make his fourth career MLB appearance (and second start). The southpaw got through two scoreless frames but then allowed two runs in each of the third and fourth innings. Sears did show good command with 51 of his 77 pitches going for strikes, but the seven hits he allowed were his most in a big-league appearance so far. Sears may return to the minors soon, as Jack Flaherty (forearm) could return from the injured list next week.

Culpepper was removed from Saturday's game against the Guardians after getting hit on the back by a pitch, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

Culpepper was taken out of the game immediately after taking a 95-mph fastball off his upper back in the third inning. He was diagnosed with a shoulder contusion after X-rays came back negative following his removal, per Audra Martin of Twins.tv, though Ryan Kreidler could still benefit from an uptick in at-bats if Culpepper sits out a day or two beyond Saturday.

The Diamondbacks recalled Locklear from Triple-A Reno and placed him on the 60-day injured list Saturday due to a fractured right thumb.

Locklear was dispatched to Triple-A last month but was summoned back to the big leagues Saturday so the team could place him on the 60-day IL to open a spot on the 40-man roster for Pavin Smith. The move effectively ends Locklear's season after slashing .278/.357/.444 with one home run, six RBI, eight runs scored, one stolen base and a 4:9 BB:K across 42 plate appearances in the majors. He posted an .871 OPS with 10 homers and 46 RBI at Reno.

The Diamondbacks optioned Del Castillo to Triple-A Reno on Saturday.

Del Castillo was summoned from Reno last weekend but will head back in favor of Pavin Smith, whose contract was selected in a corresponding move. Del Castillo has slashed .196/.249/.313 with five home runs, 24 RBI, 18 runs scored, one stolen base and a 13:55 BB:K across 195 trips to the plate at the big-league level this season.

Benge went 2-for-5 with a home run and an additional RBI against the Yankees in a 12-2 victory Saturday.

The Mets hit three homers off Gerrit Cole, capped by Benge's solo shot in the third inning. The long ball was the rookie outfielder's first in his past 18 games, a stretch during which he batted just .246 with a 27.0 percent strikeout rate. Benge has experienced the typical ups-and-downs during his first MLB campaign this year, but he's held onto a starting job and has delivered solid numbers, including a .273/.337/.414 slash line, 17 home runs, 19 doubles, three triples, 76 runs, 57 RBI and 22 stolen bases.

The Diamondbacks selected Smith's contract from Triple-A Reno on Saturday.

Smith opened the season as the Diamondbacks' main designated hitter against right-handed pitching, but he slashed just .141/.236/.192 with two extra-base hits and six RBI across 89 plate appearances before being DFA'd in early July. With Reno, Smith hit .301 with a .925 OPS across 181 trips to the plate to earn another chance at the big-league level.

The Rangers reinstated Jung (calf) from the injured list Saturday.

Jung has been sidelined for almost all of the second half due to a left calf strain, but he was cleared to begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A on Tuesday and has since gone 3-for-15 with a homer in four games. Now fully healthy, he figures to reclaim his job as Texas' everyday third baseman. Logan O'Hoppe was sent down to Triple-A in a corresponding move.

Luzardo (shoulder) said Saturday that an MRI revealed no structural damage, and he is hopeful of pitching sometime next week, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

Luzardo is dealing with some stiffness and inflammation after firing a complete-game, two-hit shutout Monday against Atlanta. The lefty was due to start Saturday against Atlanta once again, but Tim Mayza will instead open for Philly while Luzardo gets his turn in the rotation skipped. The 28-year-old will take anti-inflammatory medication with an eye toward next weekend's four-game set with the Mets.