MLB Player News

Hoerner is absent from the lineup for Thursday's contest versus the Nationals.

After starting each of the previous 13 games, Hoerner will get a breather on the final day of the Cubs' road trip. Pedro Ramirez will cover second base in Hoerner's stead.

The Giants claimed Whitcomb off waivers from the Astros on Thursday and optioned him to Triple-A Sacramento, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Whitcomb will reclaim a roster spot after being booted off the Astros' 40-man roster Monday, though he will remain in the minors for the time being. Trevor McDonald (elbow) was transferred to the 60-day injured list in a corresponding move.

The Rays designated Martin for assignment Thursday.

Martin will cede his spot on the 40-man roster to Jorge Mateo, who officially signed a major-league deal with the Rays on Thursday. The 25-year-old righty has given up four runs in 11.1 innings with Tampa Bay this year and owns a 3.09 ERA through 43.2 frames at Durham, though his inability to limit traffic may deter teams from picking him up via waivers.

The Rays optioned Williams to Triple-A Durham on Thursday.

Williams will lose his place with the big club after the Rays signed Jorge Mateo to a major-league deal Thursday. Williams owns a .710 OPS across 358 plate appearances in the minors this year but has been overmatched by big-league pitching, slashing just .108/.154/.216 over 16 games with the Rays.

Martin was ejected from Thursday's start against the Reds in the third inning after hitting Sal Stewart with a pitch, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

Stewart homered off Martin in the first inning and then was the leadoff hitter in the top of the third. Martin's second pitch of the latter plate appearance sailed over Stewart's head, and the next offering clipped Stewart's helmet, prompting Martin's ejection. The right-hander was ultimately charged with four runs on two hits and three walks over two-plus innings. Martin is tentatively lined up to face the Cubs next Tuesday, but he's facing a likely suspension as a result of Thursday's incident.

Bogaerts went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in a 4-3, extra-innings win over Milwaukee on Wednesday.

Bogaerts plated the Padres' first run with a solo shot to left field in the third inning. The long ball snapped a 25-game stretch without a homer for the veteran shortstop, who batted a meager .205 with only four RBI during the power drought. Bogaerts has now belted double-digit home runs in 11 straight seasons, though he hasn't reached 20 long balls since the 2021 campaign, when he was still with Boston.

The Rays optioned Grove to Triple-A Durham on Thursday.

After giving up two home runs in two innings Wednesday, Grove will end up as the odd man out of a roster spot to make room for Jesse Scholtens, who was recalled from Durham in a corresponding move. Grove has now given up four earned runs in seven innings with the Rays but could still return to the big leagues down the stretch to provide a fresh bullpen arm.

The Rays recalled Scholtens from Triple-A Durham on Thursday.

Scholtens owns a 3.82 ERA and 1.27 WHIP through 37.2 frames in the majors this year but has fired 10.2 consecutive shutout innings at Triple-A. He'll return to the big leagues presumably to make a spot start during the Rays' upcoming series against Baltimore. Michael Grove was optioned to Durham in a corresponding move.

The Twins activated Buxton (hip) from the 10-day injured list Thursday.

Buxton's progress from a right hip impingement was slow going initially, but he got through a full workout this week with no issues to clear the way for his return to action. It's possible the Twins will give him some extra time at designated hitter in order to protect his hip, but fantasy managers will receive a nice boost from being able to re-insert Buxton into their lineup.

White Sox manager Will Venable said Thursday that Teel's (ankle) current progress should have him ready to begin a rehab assignment before the end of August, Bruce Levine of 670TheScore.com reports.

Teel is a little more than three weeks into a projected 6-to-12 week timetable as he works his way back from a left high-ankle sprain. He's currently running at about 80 percent and is expected to be cleared to hit off the Trejekt machine soon. The six-week mark in Teel's recovery would be Sept. 1, and it seems he has a good shot to be back around that time. However, the young catcher still has several boxes to check before a possible return date comes into focus.