MLB Player News

Way (back) is expected to start a rehab assignment with Double-A Northwest Arkansas next week, per MLB.com.

After landing on the injured list July 28 due to low-back spasms and tightness, Way has worked through a throwing progression with no issues and is closing in on a rehab assignment. The 27-year-old has made 19 appearances with the Royals this season, posting a 3.86 ERA, 1.59 WHIP and 21:10 K:BB across 23.1 innings.

Semien is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Nationals.

Semien will sit for the second time in four games as the Mets open up a spot at the keystone for Brett Baty in the series finale. The Mets could give the 35-year-old Semien more frequent days off down the stretch, as he's struggled to a career-worst 209/.269/.354 slash line during his first season in Queens.

Mears (shoulder) is scheduled to throw another bullpen early this week as he continues his mound progression, MLB.com reports.

Mears has been shelved since May 29 due to a right shoulder impingement and has dealt with multiple setbacks, but the 29-year-old could finally be nearing a rehab assignment. Before hitting the injured list, the right-hander posted a 5.12 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 15:11 K:BB across 19.1 innings.

The Athletics claimed Rock off waivers from the White Sox on Sunday and optioned him to Triple-A Las Vegas.

Rock will join his third organization this season after spending time with both the Rays and the White Sox in 2026. All four of Rock's appearances in the big leagues came with the White Sox, with theleft-hander compiling a 3.48 ERA, 2.13 WHIP and 12:11 K:BB over 10.1 innings. The Athletics transferred Justin Sterner (knee) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL to clear room on the 40-man roster for Rock.

Tena is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Mets.

Tena has been included in the lineup just once in the Nationals' last six games, missing out on two starts against right-handed pitching during that span. Rather than calling upon Tena to hold down the strong side of a platoon at designated hitter, the Nationals may be content to rotate players at that spot to open up more at-bats for the likes of Brady House and Andres Chaparro.

House will start at third base and bat fifth in Sunday's game against the Mets.

The 23-year-old will remain in the lineup for a sixth straight game after going 8-for-20 with a home run, a stolen base, four RBI and four runs over the prior five contests. House has made three starts versus righties and three versus lefties during that span, and the Nationals could continue to deploy him in a near-everyday role between third base and designated hitter while he's wielding a hot bat.

The Athletics transferred Sterner (knee) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Sunday.

After undergoing right knee surgery Friday, Sterner had already been ruled out for the rest of the season. His move to the 60-day injured list is merely procedural, as it opens up a spot on the 40-man roster for waiver pickup Joe Rock. The 29-year-old Sterner logged a 6.12 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 40:13 K:BB over 42.2 innings out of the bullpen before hitting the shelf July 18.

Lee went 2-for-3 with a walk and a run scored in Saturday's 7-1 win over the Rockies.

Lee drew a walk in the first inning and singled twice in a six-run fourth, coming around to score after his first base hit. The 27-year-old outfielder has tallied at least one hit in eight of his 13 games in August, batting .245 with six runs scored, six RBI, three home runs and two stolen bases on the month. Overall, he's slashing .293/.329/.435 with 58 runs scored, 46 RBI, nine long balls and eight stolen bases across 459 plate appearances this season.

Estevez (shoulder) is scheduled to throw a bullpen Sunday before being re-evaluated, per MLB.com.

Estevez has been on the injured list since April 1, initially due to a left foot contusion before he suffered a right rotator cuff strain during a rehab outing May 6. The veteran right-hander began a mound progression Aug. 7 and has yet to experience any hiccups. The Royals have struggled mightily to fill the closer role in Estevez's absence this season, with Steven Cruz currently serving as the top option in the ninth inning.

Caissie is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Reds.

Esteury Ruiz will enter the lineup in right field while Caissie takes a seat against southpaw Nick Lodolo. Caissie had started the last eight games, going 5-for-22 (.227) with one home run, one stolen base, seven runs and two RBI.