MLB Player News

Teel went 1-for-3 with a solo home run and an additional run scored during Tuesday's 12-3 win over the Twins.

Teel and Lenyn Sosa went back-to-back in the seventh inning against Thomas Hatch. Teel is on a heater right now, going 19-for-47 (.404) with three home runs, nine runs scored, 10 RBI and an 8:10 BB:K over his last 13 games. He has five home runs in 215 plate appearances this season.

The Orioles optioned Handley to Triple-A Norfolk on Tuesday, Rich Dubroff of BaltimoreBaseball.com reports.

Handley was recalled from Norfolk on Monday, but he did not see the field. The catcher getting optioned corresponds with Tyler Wells (elbow) and Jorge Mateo (hamstring) both being reinstated from the 60-day injured list Tuesday.

Naylor is not in the lineup for Tuesday's game in Boston.

The Red Sox are sending lefty ace Garrett Crochet to the hill, so it's a good time for the left-handed-hitting Naylor to get a breather. Austin Hedges will do the catching and bat ninth for the Guardians.

Ruiz (concussion) reported to Double-A Harrisburg to begin a rehab assignment Tuesday, Spencer Nusbaum of The Washington Post reports.

The 27-year-old backstop has been on the shelf nearly two months due to a concussion, but he's now been cleared for game action after clearing the concussion protocol. It's unclear how many games in the minors Ruiz will need to get back up to speed, but it's possible he's back with the Nationals as early as this weekend.

Stephenson (thumb) will begin a rehab assignment Wednesday, Charlie Goldsmith of Fox 19 Now Cincinnati reports.

Stephenson has missed just over two weeks of action with a fractured thumb but has already been cleared to play in games. He could be ready for activation from the 10-day injured list by this weekend.

The Nationals transferred Millas (finger) to the 60-day injured list Tuesday.

Millas underwent season-ending finger surgery last week, so his move to the 60-day IL was an inevitability. The 27-year-old had an .807 OPS in 54 plate appearances for the Nationals this year and is expected to be healthy for the start of spring training.

The Nationals optioned Stubbs to Triple-A Rochester on Tuesday.

Stubbs was promoted by Washington on Friday and will return to the minors after going 0-for-3 in Monday's matchup with Miami. The 28-year-old was demoted to make room on the MLB roster for Jorge Alfaro, who inked a big-league deal with the Nationals on Tuesday.

Jeffers is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the White Sox.

Jeffers started the past six games and will take a seat Tuesday after going 4-for-17 with four walks, a double and two RBI during that stretch. Mickey Gasper will step in behind the plate to catch for Twins righty Simeon Woods Richardson.

Crooks is starting at catcher and batting sixth in Tuesday's game versus the Athletics.

It's just the second start Crooks has made in five contests since being promoted from Triple-A Memphis. He homered in his first start Sunday in Cincinnati. Pedro Pages will begin Tuesday's festivities on the bench.

The Nationals signed Alfaro to a one-year contract Tuesday, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.

Alfaro recently opted out of his minor-league deal with the Brewers after slashing .244/.285/.430 with 15 home runs and 12 stolen bases with Triple-A Nashville. He'll give the Nationals an experienced catcher with Keibert Ruiz (concussion) still working his way back and Drew Millas (finger) out for the season.