MLB Player News

The Cardinals selected Crooks' contract from Triple-A Memphis on Friday.

Crooks has slashed .337/.404/.518 with three home runs in August with Memphis and has hit .274/.337/.441 with 14 home runs there for the full season. The left-handed hitter could be worth a look in fantasy leagues if the Cardinals use him on the long side of a platoon at catcher with Pedro Pages. Crooks is not in the lineup for Friday's game in Cincinnati against righty Zack Littell, though the Cardinals could just be giving him a day to get settled in.

Narvaez is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Pirates, Tim Healey of The Boston Globe reports.

Narvaez has been ceding more work to Connor Wong recently, and it'll be Wong who starts Friday's game behind the dish. Including Friday, both catchers have made five starts in Boston's last 10 games.

Slater (hamstring) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Friday.

Slater landed on the 10-day injured list nearly four weeks ago with a strained left hamstring but is ready to test things out in game action again. He shouldn't require too many rehab at-bats before being reinstated to the Yankees' active roster. When he does return, Slater will see some reps against left-handed pitching.

Machin cleared waivers and accepted an assignment to Triple-A Norfolk, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

The Orioles designated Machin for assignment Wednesday, and the 31-year-old will remain in the organization. Machin has slashed .285/.344/.470 in 442 plate appearances with Norfolk this season.

The Red Sox recalled Sogard from Triple-A Worcester on Friday, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Sogard will be part of the 26-man roster for the first time since being optioned June 30. He replaces Jhostynxon Garcia. Sogard has slashed .254/.323/.339 in 65 plate appearances with the Red Sox this season.

The Red Sox selected Tolle's contract from Triple-A Worcester on Friday, Chris Henrique of the Boston Sports Journal reports.

Tolle is set to make his major-league debut Friday at Fenway Park against the visiting Pirates. The left-hander earned his first look in the big leagues after collecting a 3.04 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 133:23 K:BB over 91.2 innings covering three levels in the minors. Tolle should remain in the Boston rotation for the rest of the season if he pitches well.

The Red Sox released Buehler on Friday, Chris Henrique of the Boston Sports Journal reports.

Buehler was recently demoted to the bullpen and has now been cut loose by Boston after stumbling to a 5.45 ERA, 1.56 WHIP and 84:55 K:BB over 112.1 innings covering 23 appearances (22 starts). The Red Sox will be responsible for what remains of his $18.05 million salary, as well as a $3 million buyout on his 2026 option. Buehler simply hasn't been the same pitcher since his second Tommy John surgery, holding a 5.42 ERA and 17.4 percent strikeout rate since the beginning of the 2024 season.

The Red Sox optioned Garcia to Triple-A Worcester on Friday, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Garcia struggled in his first taste of MLB action, going 1-for-7 with a double, two walks and five strikeouts after being called up Aug. 22. The 22-year-old made two starts, both in right field, during the big-league stint. Nick Sogard was recalled from Worcester in a corresponding move.

McLain is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Cardinals.

McLain will get the night off after making four consecutive starts at second base. Santiago Espinal will fill in at the keystone and bat ninth.

The Nationals selected Stubbs' contract from Triple-A Rochester on Friday, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.

The former Astros farmhand will take the place of Drew Millas (finger) on the active roster. Stubbs will be making his MLB debut when he gets into a game and is set to serve as Riley Adams' backup at catcher.