MLB Player News

Butler is not in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Astros.

Butler will get a day off as the Astros send left-hander Framber Valdez to the bump. Colby Thomas will occupy center field and bat fifth for the Athletics.

Rays manager Kevin Cash said Thursday that the team is "taking it day-to-day" in terms of when or if Aranda (wrist) will be activated from the 10-day injured list, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Aranda has been playing in backfield games at the Rays' spring training complex in Florida and appears ready to return from a fractured left wrist that's kept him sidelined since late July. However, it does not seem to be a slam dunk that he'll rejoin the active roster, as the Rays are weighing the benefit of a late-season return for Aranda, as well as who he would replace on the roster.

Sasaki notched a hold against Arizona on Wednesday, striking out two batters in a perfect seventh inning.

Sasaki was the first reliever Dodgers manager Dave Roberts used after Blake Snell allowed just one run over six innings. The appearance was Sasaki's first out of the bullpen in the majors after beginning his career with eight starts. The right-hander not only got through a clean inning, he looked dominant in doing so, striking out two of the three batters he faced and notching three whiffs on 13 pitches. Roberts is seeking answers to patch up a beleaguered bullpen that blew its 27th save of the season Wednesday, so Sasaki could be handed a pretty prominent high-leverage role in the playoffs if he's able to consistently pitch the way he did in his initial relief appearance.

The Pirates recalled Shugart from Triple-A Indianapolis on Thursday.

Shugart will be able to offer some length out of the Pirates' bullpen. He's posted a 3.50 ERA and 29:17 K:BB over 43.2 frames this season and has gone multiple innings in 14 of 34 appearances.

The Pirates optioned Moreta to Triple-A Indianapolis on Thursday.

Moreta has pitched well in 18 appearances out of the Pirates' bullpen this season, collecting a 3.24 ERA and 19:7 K:BB over 16.2 frames. He'll be replaced on the roster and in the bullpen by Chase Shugart.

Arenado said Wednesday that he will be willing this offseason to expand his list of teams to which he would approve a trade to, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

Arenado told the Cardinals last winter that he would be willing to waive his no-trade clause to join the Dodgers, Yankees, Red Sox, Padres or Astros. However, he wound up blocking a potential deal to Houston and remained in St. Louis for the 2025 season. Being more open-minded to potential trade destinations helps the possibility of a deal going down, but Arenado's declining performance and the roughly $40 million he's still owed remain major roadblocks. Arenado remains a plus defender at third base, but he's slashed just .236/.289/.371 with 11 homers in 105 games this season and will turn 35 next April.

Holliday underwent an MRI on his injured knee Thursday, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

Holliday is missing a second straight start Thursday and will get imaging to make sure there's nothing structurally wrong with his knee. Orioles interim manager Tony Mansolino appeared optimistic Holliday will be OK, noting that he's hopeful the 21-year-old will be back in the lineup Friday versus the Yankees, but more will be known after the test results are in.

Reds manager Terry Francona said Thursday that he's discussed with Greene the possibility of pitching out of the bullpen during Sunday's game in Milwaukee, Charlie Goldsmith of Fox 19 Now Cincinnati reports.

Greene threw 96 pitches over six innings in Wednesday's extra-innings loss to the Pirates, so he would be pitching on three days' rest Sunday and would be making his first-ever relief appearance. Francona said that Greene is "open" to the idea, though it will ultimately come down to how the righty feels Sunday and also whether the Reds still have something to play for.

Garcia is absent from the lineup for Thursday's contest versus the Twins.

Garcia has been dealing with a lingering quad issue, and while he will be available to play again Thursday, he has made only one start over the last five contests. With the Rangers no longer in playoff contention, Garcia's playing time in the final days could continue to be sparse. Billy McKinney will be in right field and bat seventh for the second straight day.

Tellez will start at first base and bat cleanup in Thursday's contest versus the Twins.

It's his fourth start over the last five games against right-handed pitching, as Tellez has overtaken Jake Burger as the Rangers' primary first baseman. Tellez has a .915 OPS with one home run over his last nine tilts.