MLB Player News

The Angels optioned Marte to Triple-A Salt Lake on Thursday.

Marte will end up as the odd man out of a roster spot as Jack Kochanowicz comes up from Double-A to start Thursday's game against the Mariners. Marte has posted the best numbers of his MLB career this season, logging a 3.55 ERA and 1.11 WHIP over 12.2 innings. He's been similarly as solid in the minor leagues (2.89 ERA in 18.2 innings), so there's a good chance the 28-year-old right-hander rejoins the Halos' bullpen at some point this season.

The Astros optioned Ort to Triple-A Sugar Land on Thursday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Ort registered two appearances with the Astros after being recalled from Triple-A on Saturday, throwing three shutout innings while striking out six batters. Despite his solid showing, he'll be sent back to the minors in order to clear room for Jake Bloss (shoulder), who was reinstated from the IL on Thursday. Ort has been dominant in the minors (0.75 ERA in 12 innings) since joining the Astros organization in late May, so it's possible he returns to Houston in the near future.

The Nationals will recall Rutledge from Triple-A Rochester to start Friday's game against the Brewers, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.

Rutledge has appeared in just one game for the Nationals this season, allowing a run to score in one inning May 14 against the White Sox. He hasn't done a much better job preventing runs in the minor leagues, posting a 6.66 ERA and 1.66 WHIP through 71.2 frames. He'll be facing one of the National League's more dynamic offenses Friday, as the Brewers rank fourth in the NL in both OPS (.732) and runs scored (450).

Banda will start Thursday's game against the Phillies, SportsNet LA reports.

Banda has a 2.05 ERA and 20:12 K:BB over 22 innings this season and will make his first start since 2022 on Thursday. The lefty will likely cover only an inning or two before turning things over to the bullpen, with Landon Knack a candidate to work as the bulk reliever.

The Royals traded Selby to the Orioles on Thursday in exchange for cash, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

Selby will remain in Triple-A upon joining his new organization, though he will once again hold a spot on a 40-man roster. The 26-year-old righty was DFA'd by Kansas City on Saturday after putting up a 6.23 ERA and 1.18 WHIP over 21.2 innings with Triple-A Omaha, and he'll fill in as organizational depth for the O's. Kyle Bradish (elbow) was moved to the 60-day IL in order to clear space on Baltimore's 40-man roster.

Speier (shoulder) emerged from throwing live batting practice at Petco Park on Tuesday feeling healthy and will make rehab appearances Friday and Monday, MLB.com reports.

Speier will actually kick off his rehab assignment with Triple-A Tacoma in Albuquerque on Friday before moving down to the Mariners' Arizona Complex League team for Monday's outing. If both appearances go well, Speier will likely be activated ahead of Seattle's first series coming out of the All-Star break against the Astros, which begins July 19.

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

Tate will head to Triple-A after he permitted 11 runs on 18 hits over nine innings across his last seven appearances out of the Orioles bullpen. Baltimore selected the contract of right-hander Burch Smith from Norfolk in a corresponding move.

The Orioles selected Smith's contract from Triple-A Norfolk on Thursday.

He'll join the Baltimore bullpen as a replacement for right-hander Dillon Tate, who was optioned to Norfolk in a corresponding move. Though he opened the season as a member of the Miami bullpen, Smith was cut in June after he posted a 4.25 ERA and 1.62 WHIP in 29.2 innings. He quickly caught on with the Orioles on a minor-league deal and turned in a pair of scoreless appearances with Norfolk before getting the call back to the majors.

Williams (back) will begin a rehab assignment with High-A Wisconsin on Saturday, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

After he tossed a live batting practice session Tuesday in Milwaukee without incident, Williams will move on to the final stage in his prolonged recovery from a pair of stress fractures in his back, an injury he suffered in spring training. As a late-inning reliever, Williams won't require an extensive buildup, but he's still likely to remain on his minor-league rehab assignment once the Brewers open their post-All-Star-break schedule July 20. A return from the 60-day injured list before the end of July can't be discounted, however, especially if Williams looks healthy and pitches effectively during his time in the minors. Once activated, Williams should settle back in as Milwaukee's closer after he racked up 51 saves and posted a 1.73 ERA and 0.96 WHIP in 126 appearances between the 2022 and 2023 seasons.

Erceg was credited with his 11th hold in a win over the Red Sox on Wednesday, firing 1.1 scoreless innings during which he allowed a hit and a walk while recording a strikeout.

Erceg filled his usual setup role with customary proficiency, generating his eighth straight scoreless appearance. The right-hander coaxed his ERA back under 3.00 (2.97) for the first time since May 25 with Wednesday's outing, and his season tally of 11 holds equals the total he mustered during his rookie 2023 campaign, albeit over 17 additional appearances.