MLB Player News

Merrill is absent from the lineup for Thursday's game in Atlanta.

Southpaw ace Chris Sale is on the bump for Atlanta, so the left-handed-hitting Merrill will begin the contest on the bench. Jase Bowen will grab a start in center field in the series finale.

Roupp didn't factor into the decision in Wednesday's 5-4 loss to the Royals, allowing two runs on four hits over six-plus innings. He struck out seven without walking a batter.

The right-hander took a shutout into the seventh inning, but manager Tony Vitello left Roupp in a little too long as he surrendered a double to Vinnie Pasquantino and a homer to Salvador Perez before being lifted. Roupp had to settle for his 10th quality start of the season and his third straight in July -- over 21 innings this month he's produced a 1.29 ERA, 0.67 WHIP and 14:5 K:BB. He'll look to keep rolling in his next outing, which lines up to come at home early next week against the Brewers.

The Blue Jays optioned Estrada to Triple-A Buffalo on Wednesday.

Estrada had thrown 41 pitches over two innings in Tuesday's loss to the Rays, so he was replaced by a fresh bullpen arm. The right-hander has collected a 4.82 ERA and 6:5 K:BB over 9.1 innings with Toronto in 2026.

The Tigers signed Perez to a minor-league contract Wednesday.

Perez has split this season between Triple-A Sugar Land in the Astros organization and the Mexican League. The 35-year-old last appeared in the big leagues in 2023 and is merely a catching depth addition for Detroit.

The Royals signed Lopez to a minor-league contract Wednesday.

Lopez will backfill the Royals' organizational middle-infield depth after Andrew Velazquez was called up to grab Bobby Witt's (back) roster spot. The 30-year-old Lopez had been at Triple-A Tacoma in the Mariners organization, where he slashed .302/.379/.419 with two home runs and a 13:10 BB:K in 43 games. He hasn't played in the majors since 2023.

The Orioles optioned Walker to Triple-A Norfolk on Thursday.

Walker served as the 27th man on the roster for the second game of Wednesday's doubleheader in Boston, but he did not appear in the contest. The lefty has yielded three runs with a 7:2 K:BB over six innings in the majors this season.

Canning will be used as a bulk reliever behind opening pitcher Kyle Hart for Thursday's contest in Atlanta, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

The Atlanta lineup features three left-handers in its top four spots (Drake Baldwin, Matt Olson and Michael Harris), so San Diego will have the left-handed Hart cover the first inning or two before the right-handed Canning takes over. Righties have posted a .628 OPS against Canning this season, while lefties have pummeled him for a .939 OPS.

Hart will serve as the Padres' opening pitcher for Thursday's game in Atlanta.

Hart -- who has an ugly 10.80 ERA in six appearances this month -- will handle the first inning or two for the Padres before turning things over to Griffin Canning. The lefty has had one other opener assignment this season, giving up one run in two frames on June 27 versus the Dodgers.

Bello allowed four hits and one walk while striking out five over 5.1 scoreless relief innings in the second game of Wednesday's doubleheader.

Bello shined in bulk relief for the second time since being recalled from Triple-A Worcester earlier this month. He resurfaced with the team prior to the All-Star break and allowed one run over 4.1 innings in a win over the Yankees on July 12. Given Bello's success while following an opener this season (0.77 ERA in six outings), Boston interim manager Chad Tracy may want to keep him in that role for the stretch run rather then sending him back to the minors.

Seager (back) could begin live batting practice sessions this weekend, MLB.com reports.

Seager continues to progress through his rehab from lower-back inflammation. He's moved from hitting off a tee to soft toss and machine work in the batting cage, while also taking groundballs and running the bases. Facing pitchers will be the next step, presumably followed by a rehab assignment.