MLB Player News

The Athletics designated Zhuang for assignment Friday.

The move corresponds with the Athletics selecting Jonathan Ornelas' contract from Triple-A Las Vegas and optioning Colby Thomas to Triple-A. Zhuang has spent the entire 2026 season in Las Vegas but has allowed at least six earned runs over his last five outings, which has him at a 7.84 ERA and 1.79 WHIP across 59.2 innings in Triple-A.

Astros manager Joe Espada said Friday that Imai will be moving to the bullpen for the team's weekend series against the Rangers, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Imai struggled in his last start against the Angels on Monday, when he tossed only 12 of 33 pitches for strikes and allowed two runs on one hit and four walks while striking out one batter over two-thirds of an inning. He was in line to start in Sunday's series finale, and while a replacement has yet to been announced, Chandler Rome of The Athletic suggested Thursday that Peter Lambert could be on the mound on short rest.

Orioles president of baseball operations Mike Elias said Friday that Bassitt (back) will make 1-to-2 more rehab starts before rejoining the active roster, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

Bassitt gave up one run over 3.1 innings in his first rehab outing with Triple-A Norfolk on Tuesday. He got his pitch count up to 46 in that start and will continue to stretch out with at least one more rehab outing. Bassitt has been out since early June following surgery to remove bone spurs from his back, and he posted a 5.27 ERA in 56.1 innings before getting hurt. The 37-year-old isn't a given to go back into the Orioles' rotation once he's deemed physically ready, though that could depend on what the club does at the trade deadline.

Burrows (elbow) threw a 35-pitch live batting practice session Friday, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

It's the first time the right-hander has faced hitters since he landed on the 15-day injured list in mid-July with right elbow neuritis. Burrows had initially been optioned to Triple-A Sugar Land before the injury was discovered, so he could head there once healthy rather than rejoining the big club.

Mets manager Andy Green said that Senga will start Friday's matchup against the Marlins, Max Goodman of NJ.com reports.

With Freddy Peralta scratched from Friday's start as trade talks progressively advance, Senga will start in his place for the Mets. The 33-year-old has had a dreadful 2026 season, posting an 8.85 ERA, 1.84 WHIP and 49:30 K:BB in 40.2 innings. Senga has registered five or more innings in just three of his 12 appearances this campaign.

The Phillies recalled Painter from Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Friday.

Painter will appear in Friday's series opener against Baltimore in some fashion. Painter will be making his first appearance with the big-league club since June 17. In 65 innings, the right-hander has struggled, posting a 7.06 ERA, 1.66 WHIP and 53:24 K:BB this season. To make room on the 26-man roster for the 23-year-old, Philadelphia optioned Brian Keller to Triple-A.

The Rays placed McClanahan (back) on the 15-day IL on Friday due to a back injury, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

After leaving Thursday's start in the fourth inning with mid-back tightness, McClanahan will officially be shut down. President of baseball operations Erik Neander believes the injury is "pretty minor", and the left-hander could miss just two starts. On the campaign, the 29-year-old owns a 3.09 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 91:35 K:BB in 99 innings. Tampa Bay is recalling Alex Cook from Triple-A Durham to take McClanahan's place on the active roster.

The Mets have scratched Peralta from Friday's scheduled start versus the Marlins as trade interest in the hurler heats up, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports.

A trade does not appear imminent, but Peralta is a virtual lock to be dealt before Monday's deadline and the Mets don't want to risk him getting injured. The club has not yet revealed who will start Friday in Peralta's place. The Cubs, Rays, Phillies, Brewers and Atlanta are among the teams known to have trade interest in Peralta, who is a pending free agent.

Soroka (glute) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Reno on Tuesday, John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports 98.7 FM reports.

Soroka is slated to throw up to five innings and 60 pitches in the outing. It will be his first time appearing in a game since he went down with a left glute strain in late June. The right-hander could be ready to rejoin the Diamondbacks' rotation after Tuesday's start, though the club might prefer Soroka to get stretched out further before reinstating him. He boasts a 3.07 ERA and 79:17 K:BB over 82 innings covering 15 starts for Arizona this season.

Steele (elbow) will throw from flat ground and then toss 20 pitches off a mound Saturday, Tony Andracki of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Steele has been sidelined all season, first as he continued his recovery from UCL revision surgery and later after suffering a flexor strain in April. The left-hander will not have enough time to get stretched out as a starting pitcher this season, but a return late in the year as a reliever is possible.