MLB Player News

The Cubs signed Jones to a minor-league contract Tuesday.

Jones elected free agency last week after being removed from the Brewers' 40-man roster, and he's now linked up with a division rival. The 28-year-old is just 3-for-30 in parts of three big-league seasons.

Martinez (foot) started in center field and went 2-for-4 with a double, a home run and two RBI for Double-A Akron on Tuesday.

Martinez played in his third game of a rehab assignment, which started Friday at Triple-A Columbus. He played seven innings Tuesday, his longest outing of the three contests. In between each start, Martinez was given days off, as the Guardians continue a measured ramp-up to nine innings for the outfielder. He'll continue to rehab with Akron this week, per Tim Stebbins of MLB,com, and could be re-evaluated this weekend.

The Yankees recalled Jones from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and appointed him as their 27th man for Wednesday's doubleheader versus the Pirates.

Jones will be up with the Yankees for the third time this season after he slashed .233/.317/.370 with two home runs, one stolen base, seven RBI and six runs in 30 games between his first two stints in the big leagues. Though he's expected to be returned to Triple-A immediately following the doubleheader, the left-handed-hitting Jones could be included in the lineup for either or both contests of the twin bill while the Pirates send right-handers Mitch Keller and Bubba Chandler to the hill for Game 1 and 2, respectively.

Lopez entered Tuesday's game in the fourth inning as a replacement for the injured Josh Jung (calf), going 2-for-3 with an RBI in a 10-0 win over the White Sox.

Lopez, who's been the primary second baseman during the month of July, entered to play shortstop while Ezequiel Duran shifted to third base. Depending on how Jung responds, Lopez could continue to defend shortstop or move back to second base Wednesday. The Rangers' primary starter at short, Corey Seager (back), is progressing in his rehab but has only hit off a batting tee, which indicates it will be at least another week or so before he returns. Once Seager returns, it's expected that Duran and Lopez will share second base, while also serving in utility roles.

Crochet (lat/shoulder) said Tuesday that he and the Red Sox training staff have no timeline in mind for when he'll be cleared to restart his throwing program, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.

Initially placed on the injured list April 29 due to left shoulder inflammation, Crochet was cleared to face hitters in a one-inning simulated game May 26 but felt lat tightness a couple days following that workout and has been shut down from throwing baseballs ever since. Crochet was able to do some light throwing with weighted plyometric balls in mid-June, but he paused that activity at the beginning of July after he hadn't progressed as well as the Red Sox hoped. For now, Crochet's main focus will be doing strengthening exercises for his rotator cuff, though he acknowledged that he doesn't know what the training staff needs to see from him before he resumes throwing again. The lack of a clearer target date for Crochet's return at this point in the calendar makes it tough for managers in redraft leagues with limited IL or bench spots to justify holding him.

Duran started at shortstop and went 2-for-5 with a double, an RBI and a run scored in Tuesday's 10-0 win over the White Sox.

Duran, who's been filling in for injured shortstop Corey Seager (back), shifted to third base mid-game when Josh Jung (calf) was removed in the fourth inning. It sounds like Jung's injury is not serious -- he told Kennedi Landry of MLB.com that he should be good to go Wednesday -- so Duran should move back to shortstop soon. Regardless of which position the versatile Duran plays, he should remain a regular in the middle of the batting order. He's posted a slash line of .268/.323/.433 with 10 home runs, 51 RBI, seven steals and 43 runs over 92 games.

Pena went 1-for-4 with a solo home run and an additional run scored in Tuesday's 5-3 win over the Marlins.

Pena led off the bottom of the first with a 405-foot blast off Tyler Phillips to give Houston an early 1-0 lead. It's the eighth homer of the season for Pena, who's now gone deep in back-to-back games. The shortstop has come out of the All-Star break hot, going 5-for-13 in four contests. Overall, Pena is slashing .293/.355/.452 with 40 runs scored, 27 RBI and eight steals across 231 plate appearances this season.

Carrasco signed a one-year, $360,000 contract with the LG Twins of the Korea Baseball Organization on Wednesday, Kim Tae-woo of SPOTV reports.

The 39-year-old Carrasco has spent the entire 2026 season in the Atlanta organization, submitting a 5.94 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 7:3 K:BB in 16.2 innings at the big-league level and a 2.55 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 28:13 K:BB across 35.1 innings at Triple-A Gwinnett. After re-signing with Atlanta on a minor-league deal July 9, Carrasco wasn't expected to be in line for a promotion back to the big club in the immediate future, so the organization granted him his release so he could pursue an opportunity overseas.

Diaz went 1-for-3 with a double and a run scored in Tuesday's 10-0 win over the White Sox.

Diaz made a second straight start behind the plate and is in line for more work after the Rangers placed Kyle Higashioka (forearm) on the 10-day injured list. The club selected the contract of Austin Wynns from Triple-A Round Rock in a corresponding move, but the primary catching job belongs to Diaz, who's been Texas' best hitting catcher since his arrival in early June. The 35-year-old backstop is slashing .269/.275/.410 with two home runs, 11 RBI and eight runs scored over 31 games for the Rangers.

McLain (calf) will begin a rehab assignment Friday at Triple-A Louisville, MLB.com reports.

McLain is scheduled to play both shortstop and second base while on rehab, which suggests at least a two-day stay on assignment. Prior to the calf injury, McLain got emergency work in center field, but he may no longer be needed in the outfield, as Dane Myers returned from his injury.