MLB Player News

Atlanta released Mateo on Sunday.

Mateo is now officially a free agent after passing through waivers unclaimed following his removal from Atlanta's 40-man roster. The veteran utility player is a career .223/.268/.365 over parts of seven major-league seasons.

Montgomery went 1-for-3 with a three-run home run Sunday against the Guardians.

Montgomery delivered the key blow in the game with his home run, breaking a 2-2 tie in the third inning. That marked his third long ball since the All-Star break and 26th of the season. While he has struggled to find his groove at the plate since mid-July, Montgomery now has three multi-RBI showings in his last nine starts.

The Pirates announced July 31 that Griffin (finger) has resumed participating in baseball activities, including playing catch and taking right-handed swings against a Trajekt machine, MLB.com reports.

Griffin is about four and a half weeks into a six-week immobilization period for his left ring finger sagittal band injury, but he'll still be able to do some light activities during that time. Once the six weeks are up around the middle of August, Griffin could be cleared for more intense workouts as he gears up for a potential return from the 60-day injured list in early September. While Griffin remains out, Jacob Gonzalez is expected to see the bulk of the reps at shortstop for the Pirates.

Johnson was removed from Triple-A Indianapolis' game against Iowa on Saturday after four innings due to an apparent left knee injury, Danny Demilio of PittsburghBaseballNow.com reports.

Johnson sustained the injury while tumbling over first base as he attempted to beat out a grounder for an infield single in the bottom of the fourth. Per Jason Mackey of MLB.com, Johnson needed to be carted off the field and was fitted for an air cast. The Pirates haven't provided an updated diagnosis for Johnson, but the knee issue seems likely to force the 22-year-old to Indianapolis' injured list.

Brewers manager Pat Murphy said Sunday that Williams, who was activated from Triple-A Nashville's 7-day injured list Saturday, is headed to Arizona to visit a specialist after aggravating his wrist injury, Hunter Baumgardt of Fox Sports 920 Milwaukee reports.

The young infielder struck out in his lone plate appearance Saturday before departing the contest due to continued wrist soreness. Williams spent a month on the shelf due to injury, which was originally considered a minor issue. Since he's already stepping away from the club to be evaluated, a return trip to the IL wouldn't be surprising.

Baez is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Giants.

Kevin McGonigle will cover shortstop in the series finale in place of Baez, who started at the position in each of the Tigers' previous three contests while going 4-for-14 with three RBI. Though he appears to be locked in as a near-everyday player for the time being, Baez could fade into more of a part-time role once Kerry Carpenter (foot) eventually returns from the injured list.

Mariners general manager Justin Hollander said July 31 that Crawford is expected to be "a couple weeks down" after requiring an injection to relieve inflammation in his left wrist, MLB.com reports.

Crawford was expected to rest for 3-to-5 days following the injection, so he may have already started up the process of ramping back up. The veteran infielder is eligible to return from the injured list Sunday, but it looks like he'll need more time to complete a full range of baseball activities before the Mariners bring him back from the shelf. Brendan Donovan returned from the IL on Tuesday and has settled in as the Mariners' primary third baseman, so Crawford could be headed for a utility role once he's activated.

Walls (back) will start at shortstop and bat ninth Sunday against the Mariners, Ryan Bass of Rays.tv reports.

The 30-year-old was withheld from the starting nine in Saturday's 3-2 win due to lower-back tightness, but he'll rejoin the lineup for the series finale in Seattle. Walls is batting .103 (3-for-29) with four walks, three steals and 11 strikeouts in his past 12 games.

Ortiz is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Twins due to an upper-back injury and is considered day-to-day, Hunter Baumgardt of Fox Sports 920 Milwaukee reports.

Ortiz was forced out of Saturday's 4-3 win due to the injury, but his back issue is considered less of a concern than the hamstring strain fellow infielder Cooper Pratt sustained in the same game. With the Brewers moving Pratt to the injured list Sunday, Ortiz could settle in as the primary option at shortstop once he's healthy. David Hamilton will cover shortstop Sunday while Andrew Vaughn makes his second career MLB start at third base.

Culpepper is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Brewers.

The 23-year-old started at shortstop in his first two MLB games after being called up Friday, and he'll get a break Sunday after going 2-for-5 with a walk, two hit-by-pitches and solo home run. Ryan Kreidler will handle shortstop for the Twins in the series finale.