MLB Player News

The Orioles claimed Ragsdale off waivers from Atlanta on Thursday and optioned him to the Florida Complex League, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

In the span of 10 days, Ragsdale has been DFA'd by Baltimore, claimed by Atlanta, DFA'd by Atlanta without making an appearance and now back in Baltimore. He'll report to the Orioles' facility in Florida now that the minor-league season has wrapped up and take the place of Dom Hamel on the 40-man roster.

Naylor is not in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Tigers.

Naylor will get a day off after going 1-for-4 with a single in Wednesday's win over the Tigers. Austin Hedges will do the catching and bat ninth Thursday as the Guardians go for the sweep.

The Orioles designated Hamel for assignment Thursday, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Just five days after being claimed off waivers from the Mets, Hamel will lose his place on Baltimore's 40-man roster to make room for Carson Ragsdale, who was claimed from Atlanta on Thursday. Hamel has spent the vast majority of the season in Triple-A, where he owns a 5.32 ERA and 1.34 WHIP alongside a 75:22 K:BB across 67.2 innings.

Diaz was removed from Thursday's game in Baltimore in the fifth inning with right groin tightness, Ryan Bass of FanDuel Sports Network Sun reports.

Diaz went 1-for-2 with a single and a run scored before being lifted for a pinch hitter. With just three games remaining, the injury could end Diaz's season even if it's just a day-to-day issue. The Rays could provide more on his status after Thursday's contest.

Pereira was removed from Thursday's game against the Orioles in the fourth inning with low-back tightness, Ryan Bass of FanDuel Sports Network Sun reports.

Pereira grounded out in the top of the fourth inning in his second plate appearance before being lifted for defense in the bottom of the frame. It's likely a day-to-day injury, but the Rays could provide more clarity soon regarding Pereira's availability for the weekend.

Hancock will start Thursday's game against the Rockies, Andrew Destin of the Associated Press reports.

He's filling in for Bryan Woo (pectoral), who is having a start skipped. Hancock hasn't thrown more than two innings in an appearance since being moved to the bullpen in late August, so it will be a relatively abbreviated outing for the righty Thursday.

Gallen's next start was pushed back a day to Friday in San Diego due to fatigue/illness, Jody Jackson of Bally Sports Arizona reports.

It was Gallen's turn Thursday versus the Dodgers, but he's dealt with an illness during his last two starts that's sapped his strength. His performance in those outings appeared unaffected, as the righty yielded four runs with a 15:3 K:BB over 13 innings, but the Diamondbacks nonetheless made the decision to give Gallen an extra day of rest. Jalen Beeks is opening and Nabil Crismatt is slated for bulk relief Thursday.

Knizner went 1-for-2 with two RBI, a triple and a walk in Wednesday's 4-3 win over the Cardinals.

Knizner appeared in just his fifth game this month, during which he's batting .333 with two RBI in 13 plate appearances. The backup catcher hit a sacrifice fly in the fourth inning and added an RBI triple in the eighth to give the Giants the lead. With that, the 30-year-old recorded the first three-bagger of his seven-year big-league career. He's slashing .227/.298/.307 with 11 runs scored, five RBI and a homer in 85 plate appearances this season.

Eldridge went 2-for-4 with a double in Wednesday's 4-3 win over the Cardinals.

Eldridge hit a two-bagger in the third inning and added a single in the seventh. With that, the 20-year-old delivered his first multi-hit performance in the big leagues. Over eight appearances with the Giants, he's slashing .125/.300/.208 with three RBI, two doubles and a run scored across 30 plate appearances. He has started five consecutive games and should continue to see a significant workload with three matchups remaining, as the Giants have been eliminated from playoff contention.

Sale will be used as a bulk reliever in Sunday's game against the Pirates, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

Atlanta will use Charlie Morton as an opener in his final career appearance before Sale takes over. It will be the first relief outing for Sale since he closed out the 2018 World Series as a member of the Red Sox. While it will be unconventional usage for the lefty, Sale will have a better chance to pick up a win as a bulk reliever, and he should be available for a typical starter's workload.