MLB Player News

Benge (wrist) isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Pirates.

Benge made an early exit from Friday's game after jamming his left wrist while making a sliding catch, and although all imaging done on his wrist came back negative, the Mets will keep him on the bench Saturday -- and possibly for a few additional games -- while he manages a bone bruise. Brett Baty will start in right field and bat sixth.

Junis (adductor) threw out to 90 feet Friday and expects to toss a bullpen session Monday, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Junis landed on the 15-day injured list July 30 due to a left adductor strain. The fact that he's throwing suggests that the issue isn't severe, and Junis has said that he's hoping for a quick recovery. However, it's unclear at this point if he'll be ready to return when first eligible Aug. 13.

Stephenson isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against Washington.

Stephenson will take a seat on the bench Saturday after going 0-for-4 with a strikeout to open the series Friday. Jose Trevino will fill in as Cincinnati's catcher and bat seventh.

The Rockies reinstated Castano (pectoral) from the injured list Saturday and optioned him to Triple-A Albuquerque.

Castano has been on the injured list since late June due to a pectoral strain. He began playing in rehab games last Saturday and has since allowed four runs on four hits and two walks over 2.1 innings. Now fully healthy, the 27-year-old will remain in Triple-A for the time being but could return to the majors later in the year as bullpen depth.

The Cubs optioned Garrett to Triple-A Iowa on Saturday, Vinnie Duber of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Garrett was called up from Iowa on Thursday, but he'll now be sent back down to Triple-A without making an appearance for the Cubs. His roster spot will be filled by Clay Holmes (fibula), who returns from the injured list to start Saturday's game against Kansas City.

Ramirez isn't starting for Cleveland versus the White Sox on Saturday, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.

Ramirez didn't start Tuesday or Wednesday due to a sore left hand, but he returned to the lineup Thursday and Friday, going 2-for-7 with two walks, four runs and a stolen base over the pair of contests. It's not immediately clear if his absence Saturday is due to continued soreness or if it's just a rest day. Angel Genao is starting at third base in Ramirez's stead, while Chase DeLauter is serving as the DH.

The Cubs reinstated Holmes (fibula) from the 60-day injured list ahead of his start Saturday against the Royals, Vinnie Duber of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Holmes has been on the shelf since May due to a fractured fibula. He made three rehab starts in the minors while he was still in the Mets organization, logging a 3.86 ERA and 1.37 WHIP across 11.2 innings. He built up to 73 pitches during his final rehab outing, so he isn't likely to have a significant workload restriction while he makes his Cubs debut against a Royals offense that's posted just a .688 OPS since the All-Star break. Braxton Garrett was optioned to Triple-A in a corresponding move.

The Mets optioned Wagaman to Triple-A Syracuse on Saturday.

Wagaman will depart the big-league roster to free up space for Gabriel Arias, who was claimed off waivers from Cleveland on Friday. Wagaman, 28, has put up a .610 OPS in 47 major-league plate appearances this season and is likely to spend most of what's left of the season in the minors.

The Cardinals designated Velazquez for assignment Saturday.

Velazquez will be jettisoned off the 40-man roster to free up space for Everson Pereira, who was claimed off waivers from the White Sox on Friday. Velazquez could draw attention from other teams on waivers after slashing .216/.289/.432 over 83 plate appearances with St. Louis.

The Rangers optioned Peoples to Triple-A Round Rock on Saturday.

Peoples has posted a 2.19 ERA and 1.05 WHIP over 12.1 innings since joining the Rangers in early July, but he'll end up as the odd man out of Texas' bullpen following MacKenzie Gore's return from paternity leave. Peoples has also performed well at Triple-A this season (2.39 ERA, 1.10 WHIP) and is a likely candidate to return to the majors later this season whenever the Rangers need a fresh arm.