MLB Player News

The Rays placed Rodriguez on the 15-day injured list Friday, retroactive to Sept. 3, with a lower-back strain.

Rodriguez has given up two earned runs and struck out eight batters in 4.2 innings since making his season debut Aug. 24, but he'll now head back to the injured list after tweaking his back. Cole Sulser (back) was reinstated from the 15-day IL in a corresponding move to take Rodriguez's place in the Rays' bullpen.

The Rays reinstated Sulser (back) from the injured list Friday.

Out since late July with lower-back spasms, Sulser began a rehab assignment at Triple-A Durham on Aug. 19 and has since given up two earned runs on nine hits and four walks while striking out seven batters over seven innings. Now fully healthy, he'll reclaim a middle-relief role in Tampa Bay's bullpen and replace Manuel Rodriguez (back) on the active roster.

Freeman cleared waivers Saturday and was sent outright to Triple-A Albuquerque.

Freeman has slashed just .247/.317/.314 across 288 plate appearances with the Rockies this season, and he'll likely play out the remainder of the season at Triple-A after passing through waivers unclaimed. His 40-man roster spot was filled by Vimael Machin, who was selected to the active roster Saturday.

The Rockies selected Machin's contract from Triple-A Albuquerque on Saturday.

With Willi Castro (plantar fasciitis) moving to the injured list Saturday, Machin will join the parent club to bolster Colorado's infield depth. The 32-year-old has spent the entire season at Albuquerque, slashing .290/.371/.445 with 12 homers, 73 RBI and 61 runs scored across 488 plate appearances.

The Rockies placed Castro on the 10-day injured list Saturday with left heel inflammation, retroactive to Wednesday.

Castro has sat out the Rockies' last three games while managing plantar fasciitis in his left foot, and he'll now officially remain out until at least next Saturday as he recovers. Vimael Machin will come up from Triple-A to replenish Colorado's infield depth, though Connor Norby and Ryan Ritter are more likely to benefit from additional playing time.

Young isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Dodgers, Mark Zuckerman of NatsJournal.com reports.

Young will grab a seat on the bench to begin Saturday's game after walking twice in Friday's series opener. Daylen Lile, Dylan Crews and James Wood will form Washington's outfield trio with Young out.

Nunez isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Dodgers, Mark Zuckerman of NatsJournal.com reports.

Nunez will get a chance to regroup Saturday after going just 3-for-35 (.086) with three steals and eight strikeouts across his last dozen games. CJ Abrams will slide over to shortstop as a result, allowing Jorbit Vivas to start at second base.

Ruiz (head) will start at catcher and bat eighth Saturday against the Dodgers, Mark Zuckerman of NatsJournal.com reports.

Ruiz will return to the starting nine for the first time since taking a foul tip off his mask during Wednesday's game against Atlanta. The 28-year-old has been productive when in the lineup recently, slashing .348/.411/.470 with two homers, nine RBI and eight runs scored across 73 plate appearances since the beginning of August.

Judge (ribs) is expected to face live pitching Monday at Yankee Stadium, Chris Kirschner of The Athletic reports.

Judge began taking batting practice on the field Friday, and his graduation to facing live pitching during New York's upcoming scheduled day off keeps him on track to return sometime during the team's homestand next week. Manager Aaron Boone said that Judge will likely require some kind of build-up plan other than a traditional minor-league rehab assignment, suggesting the 34-year-old may be limited to five to seven innings per game or given regular off days once activated.

The Athletics optioned Morris to Triple-A Las Vegas on Saturday.

Morris will be jettisoned off the big-league roster after giving up five earned runs in just 2.2 innings during his start Friday against Seattle. Seth Johnson will come up from Triple-A to add depth to the Athletics' bullpen while the team sorts out its rotation plans.