MLB Player News

MLB and the MLBPA announced Sunday that Ortiz will remain on non-disciplinary paid leave until further notice while MLB continues its sports-betting investigation.

The Guardians aren't planning on commenting further on Ortiz's status until the investigation concludes, but the right-hander's locker at Progressive Field was cleared out nearly a month ago, which implies that he isn't expected to pitch again this season. Ortiz remains under club control heading into 2026, but whether he returns to the mound with the Guardians or another team down the road won't become clear until MLB releases the findings of its investigation.

Crawford went 2-for-4 with two runs scored in Sunday's 4-2 win over Cleveland.

It was the sixth multi-hit game of the month for Crawford, who also scored multiple runs for the second time in August. The 30-year-old shortstop had worked as Seattle's primary leadoff man from May through July, but he's since tumbled down the batting order and hit seventh or lower in 28 consecutive outings. Crawford is slashing an uninspiring .240/.305/.344 with two home runs, four doubles, seven RBI and two stolen bases over his last 106 plate appearances.

The Phillies plan to have Buehler, who has been assigned to Triple-A Lehigh Valley, make his first start with the big club Sept. 12 versus Kansas City, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

Buehler was assigned to Lehigh Valley after signing a minor-league contract with Philadelphia on Sunday, but he'll remain at Triple-A on a short-term basis before joining the big club when it expands its rotation to six men Sept. 12. With Zack Wheeler (shoulder) out for the season, the Phillies seem to be opting to deploy a six-man rotation down the stretch, with Taijuan Walker and Buehler making up the final two starting slots. Buehler should be able to get in three starts with the Phillies if he indeed debuts with the club against Kansas City.

MLB and the MLBPA announced Sunday that Clase will remain on non-disciplinary paid leave until further notice while MLB continues its sports-betting investigation.

The Guardians aren't planning on commenting further on Clase's status until the investigation concludes, but the reliever's locker at Progressive Field was cleared out nearly a month ago, which implies that the right-hander isn't expected to pitch again this season. Clase remains under club control through 2028, but whether he returns to the mound with the Guardians or another team down the road won't become clear until MLB releases the findings of its investigation.

The Phillies officially signed Buehler to a minor-league contract Sunday and assigned him to Triple-A Lehigh Valley.

Though Buehler's contract is a minor-league deal, it's likely just a formality so that the Phillies can avoid a move when the active roster expands from 26 to 28 men Monday. Since the veteran hurler officially joined the organization before the end of Sunday, he'll still be eligible for the postseason roster. Buehler will likely serve in a swingman role down the stretch while offering the Phillies an experienced arm with past postseason success.

O'Brien has dealt with fatigue in his right shoulder area in recent days and is set to be examined by a doctor Monday, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

According to Goold, the Cardinals are weighing whether to place O'Brien on the injured list, and the results of his upcoming exam will likely be vital in that decision. With the active roster expanding to 28 players Monday, the Cardinals are likely to call up at least one pitcher from the minors, and the team could bring another relief arm aboard if O'Brien heads to the IL in a corresponding move. Since the beginning of June, O'Brien has performed as one of the Cardinals' top relievers, logging two wins, two saves and five holds while pitching to a 1.04 ERA and 1.07 WHIP over 34.2 innings.

Soler (back) has increased his work on the field as of Friday, as he's been shagging flyballs in addition to hitting against high-velocity pitching, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

The 64-72 Angels are well removed from wild-card contention, but Soler still appears to be gearing up for a return before the end of the season after he was placed on the injured list July 26 due to low back inflammation. He's continuing to steadily incorporate more activity into his workouts, but the Angels haven't yet revealed when he'll be ready for a rehab assignment. Once he's activated from the IL, Soler should settle back in as the Angels' primary option in right field, which will result in Jo Adell shifting back to center field on a more regular basis.

Schanuel (wrist) said Friday that he has yet to resume baseball activities, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

After being placed on the shelf last Sunday due to a bone bruise in his left wrist, Schanuel expressed confidence that he would be available to rejoin the Angels in the minimum 10 days, but he doesn't appear to be progressing as quickly as he anticipated. The Angels will likely continue to get by with a platoon of Niko Kavadas and Oswald Peraza at first base until Schanuel makes a full recovery.

Farris was scratched ahead of his scheduled start Sunday with Double-A Rocket City and could be called up to enter the Angels rotation during the team's four-game series in Kansas City that begins Monday, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

After optioning Jack Kochanowicz to Triple-A Salt Lake on Thursday and placing Tyler Anderson (oblique) on the 15-day injured list Sunday, the Angels will have openings in their rotation Tuesday and Wednesday in Kansas City. The newly signed Jose Urena looks like a strong bet to fill one of those slots, and Farris appears to be as good of a candidate as any within the organization to take over the other rotation vacancy. Though Farris doesn't have a spot on the 40-man roster and has yet to pitch at the Triple-A level, the 24-year-old lefty has dazzled over his last four starts for Rocket City, turning in a 1.52 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 32:6 K:BB in 23.2 innings. Even if he doesn't get the call to the big leagues during the upcoming week, Farris may have at the very least earned himself a bump up to Triple-A Salt Lake.

The Astros will activate Garcia (elbow) from the 60-day injured list Monday to start the team's series finale versus the Angels, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Garcia will be making his first major-league start since May 1, 2023 following a lengthy recovery from Tommy John surgery and related setbacks. The right-hander will get the green light to rejoin the Astros after a nine-appearance minor-league rehab assignment, during which he posted a 3.30 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 38:7 K:BB over 30 innings. In Garcia's most recent rehab start Tuesday with Triple-A Sugar Land, he allowed one run over six frames while throwing 75 pitches, so he should be able to handle something close to a normal workload in his 2025 Astros debut.