MLB Player News

President of baseball operations Mike Elias said Saturday that Helsley (elbow) will be shut down for the remainder of the season, Andy Kostka of TheBanner.com reports.

Helsley had been working his way back from right elbow inflammation that forced him onto the injured list in late June, but he hasn't pitched in a rehab game at Triple-A Norfolk since last Saturday. With his progress stalling, the Orioles have officially now shifted their focus to getting the 32-year-old ready for 2027. He'll finish 2026 with a 4.11 ERA and 1.43 WHIP alongside a 21:9 K:BB across 15.1 innings.

Hentges (forearm) threw a scoreless inning while striking out two in Triple-A Sacramento's 6-4 loss to Reno on Friday.

Hentges was placed on the 15-day injured list Aug. 30 (retroactive to Aug. 27) due to a left forearm strain. The southpaw began a rehab assignment with Sacramento on Friday, throwing nine of his 14 pitches for strikes. He's running out of time to return to the big leagues this season, as San Francisco has already been eliminated from postseason contention.

The Yankees recalled Schuemann from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Saturday.

Schuemann has slashed .275/.333/.507 with three homers, six RBI and 14 runs scored across 76 plate appearances since being sent down to Triple-A in late August. He'll now return to the majors to give the Yankees a bench option capable of playing almost anywhere in the field while Aaron Judge (calf) is on the injured list.

The Yankees placed Judge on the 10-day injured list Saturday with a right calf strain, retroactive to Thursday.

Judge will be eligible to return from the injured list before New York's regular-season finale, though it's more likely that the team keeps him on the shelf until the postseason. Heliot Ramos is the favorite to take over as the Yankees' primary right fielder while Judge is out, and Max Schuemann will come up from Triple-A to fill the open roster spot.

Contreras (hand) isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Rays, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Contreras will miss a second consecutive start after leaving Thursday's contest with a bruised right hand. Nick Sogard will slide over to first base while Contreras sits, giving Isiah Kiner-Falefa a start at second.

The Orioles reinstated Franklin (hand) from the injured list Saturday, Rich Dubroff of BaltimoreBaseball.com reports.

Franklin has been out since Sept. 1 with left hand inflammation, but he was cleared to begin a rehab assignment Sunday and subsequently went 3-for-12 with a homer, two RBI, three runs and three steals over four games. Now fully healthy, he'll provide the Orioles with outfield depth down the stretch, replacing Heston Kjerstad.

The Orioles optioned Kjerstad to Triple-A Norfolk on Saturday, Rich Dubroff of BaltimoreBaseball.com reports.

Since joining the big club at the start of September, Kjerstad has gone 4-for-19 with two RBI, a run scored and nine strikeouts across 11 games. He'll now be sent back to the minors to make room for Christian Franklin (hand), who was activated from the IL in a corresponding move.

The Cardinals outrighted Strzelecki to Triple-A Memphis on Friday.

Strzelecki had been removed from the 40-man roster earlier this week and has since passed through waivers. Having been outrighted previously, the 31-year-old has the ability to decline the assignment and become a free agent. Strzelecki has collected a 5.79 ERA and 8:6 K:BB over 14 frames in the majors this season.

McKinstry isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the White Sox.

McKinstry will take a day to reset after going 0-for-16 across his last six games. His absence will allow Ben Malgeri to start in right field, batting seventh.

Torkelson isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the White Sox.

Torkelson will get a chance to rest his legs Saturday after going 10-for-24 (.417) with two homers, six RBI, five runs and a 7:8 BB:K during his seven-game hitting streak. Colt Keith will pick up a start at first base as a result, putting Riley Greene at the DH spot and Brett Callahan in left field.