MLB Player News

The Blue Jays acquired Bloss, outfielder Joey Loperfido and infielder Will Wagner from the Astros on Monday in exchange for left-hander Yusei Kikuchi, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

Bloss was scheduled to start for the Astros on Monday against the Pirates, but he was a late scratch due to his inclusion in the trade. He last pitched Tuesday, so he could slot into the Toronto rotation for its series this week in Baltimore. One of the Astros' top pitching prospects, Bloss had a 1.48 ERA, 0.68 WHIP and 38 strikeouts in 48.2 innings across his last nine minor-league starts, primarily at Double-A. He doesn't have dominant stuff, but Bloss has a deep pitch mix and throws strikes (5.5 percent walk rate in the majors).

The Astros acquired Kikuchi from the Blue Jays on Monday in exchange for outfielder Joey Loperfido, right-hander Jake Bloss and infielder Will Wagner, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Kikuchi will head to Houston after producing a disappointing 4.75 ERA and 1.34 WHIP with 130 strikeouts over 115.2 innings in 22 starts with Toronto this season. The left-hander has struggled to a 6.87 ERA over his last 12 starts, but he'll look to get back on track with the Astros. Kikuchi will return to the AL West after spending the first three years of his major-league career with the Mariners from 2019 through 2021.

Atlanta activated Waldrep (elbow) from the 15-day injured list Monday and optioned him to Triple-A Gwinnett, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

Waldrep had been on the shelf since mid-June while nursing right elbow inflammation, but Atlanta came away convinced in his health after the right-hander tossed a pair of two-inning rehab starts between the rookie-level Florida Complex League and Single-A Augusta last week. Before being deactivated, the right-hander made two starts with Atlanta, giving up 13 runs over seven innings. He had previously made only one start with Gwinnett before being called up for his MLB debut, so Atlanta will likely have Waldrep settle in for a bit in the Triple-A rotation and find some success before considering him for a return to the majors.

The Nationals acquired Clemmey and infielders Jose Tena and Rafael Ramirez from the Guardians on Monday in exchange for outfielder Lane Thomas, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

Clemmey is the regarded as the top asset of the three-prospect haul heading to Washington in the deal. The 58th overall pick in the 2023 First-Year Player Draft, Clemmey has produced a 5.15 ERA with an impressive 12.4 K/9 over 71.2 innings in 20 starts with Single-A Lynchburg so far this season. The left-hander will likely report to Washington's Single-A affiliate in Fredericksburg.

Kelly (shoulder) will throw a three-inning simulated game Wednesday, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports.

Eduardo Rodriguez (shoulder) will throw a four-inning simulated game the same day and could join the Diamondbacks' rotation next week. Kelly is behind him, but it doesn't appear by much. A return for the right-hander by mid-August looks doable if all goes well. He's been out since late April with a right shoulder strain.

Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said Monday that Rodriguez (shoulder) could make his season debut next week in Cleveland, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports.

Rodriguez is slated to throw a four-inning simulated game Wednesday, and it sounds like that could be his final test before joining Arizona's rotation. The left-hander has been out all season with a left shoulder injury and has not made any rehab starts, so his workload and sharpness next week would be a bit of a mystery.

Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said Monday that Gray (groin) could miss up to a month of action, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Gray tweaked his groin during warmups and had to be scratched from Sunday's scheduled start versus the Blue Jays before officially landing on the 15-day injured list Monday. It's not clear what grade the strain is, but it's evidently bad enough that the Rangers aren't expecting him back for several weeks. Dane Dunning, Jose Urena and Cody Bradford are options to fill Gray's rotation spot for now, but the Rangers are expected to get Tyler Mahle (elbow) back soon and Jacob deGrom (elbow) hopefully not long after that.

Bloss was scratched from his scheduled start Monday against the Pirates, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com.

Bloss has made two starts for the Astros since being activated from the injured list July 11, covering eight innings while allowing seven earned runs on 10 hits and two walks. The Astros haven't provided an explanation for why Bloss was scratched from the start, and he may still be available out of the bullpen if Houston elects to have a reliever serve as its opening pitcher for the game.

The Blue Jays optioned Rodriguez to Triple-A Buffalo on Monday, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Rodriguez had seemingly earned some leash in the Blue Jays rotation with how well he had pitched lately, having come into Monday's start against the Orioles with a 2.01 ERA and 25:8 K:BB over 22.1 innings in his first four starts this month. However, he lasted only two-thirds of an inning against Baltimore, yielding four runs (three earned) on one hit, four walks and a hit-by-pitch. While that poor outing has cost Rodriguez his roster spot for now, he should be back with the big club in August.

The Reds activated Spiers (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list ahead of his scheduled start Monday versus the Cubs.

Spiers will rejoin the rotation after missing the last two weeks of action with a right shoulder impingement. The right-hander didn't make a rehab start, so it's possible his workload will be a bit limited Monday. Spiers holds a 3.86 ERA and 41:9 K:BB over 47 innings with the Reds this season.