MLB Player News

The Mariners selected Ford's contract from Triple-A Tacoma on Monday.

One of the best catching prospects in the game, Ford is now the third backstop on Seattle's roster, joining Cal Raleigh and Mitch Garver. The 22-year-old Ford earned the call-up after slashing .283/.408/.460 with 16 home runs and seven steals in 97 games at Triple-A. Despite being one of the youngest players at Triple-A, Ford's 0.84 BB/K is the 15th-best mark among qualified Triple-A hitters, and his seven steals were the second-most among Triple-A backstops.

Blue Jays manager John Schneider said that Lauer will shift to the bullpen for the remainder of the season, as the team transitions back to a five-man rotation, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Lauer has generally been dependable as a back-end starter for the Blue Jays, but he was knocked around over his four appearances (three starts) in August, allowing 13 runs (11 earned) on 27 hits and six home runs over 18.2 innings. With Shane Bieber looking strong thus far since completing his recovery from Tommy John surgery and returning from the injured list, the Blue Jays were comfortable proceeding with five starters. Lauer will likely operate as a multi-inning option out of the bullpen, and if he performs well down the stretch, he could secure a spot on the Blue Jays' postseason roster.

The Angels activated Taylor (hand) from the 10-day injured list Monday.

Taylor was shelved for a little more than a month with a fractured left hand but is ready to go following a brief rehab assignment. He's slashing just .189/.286/.378 through 15 games during his time with the Halos and is likely to be used mostly in a reserve role.

The Royals recalled Avila from Triple-A Omaha on Monday.

Though Avila made a one-inning relief appearance in his MLB debut back on Aug. 13 against the Nationals, Kansas City will likely be counting on him to provide some length out of the bullpen in September. Avila has mostly served as a swingman at Omaha this season, starting in nine of his 14 appearances while accruing a 5.23 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 61:23 K:BB in 53.1 innings.

The Angels optioned Moore to Triple-A Salt Lake on Monday.

Moore has mostly languished during his time in the majors to this point, slashing .195/.287/.336 with a 31.5 percent strikeout rate. While Moore will have a good chance to open up next season as the Angels' primary second baseman, he will head back to the minors for now, and Luis Rengifo is expected to hold down the keystone during the final month of the campaign.

The Royals reinstated Caglianone (hamstring) from the 10-day injured list Monday.

Caglianone had been on the shelf since July 26, but he appears to have been fully recovered from his left hamstring strain for quite some time. The rookie wrapped up an uncommonly long rehab assignment at Triple-A Omaha over the weekend, with Caglianone proving his health by slashing .385/.467/.692 with five home runs in 16 games. Caglianone hit for limited power in the big leagues (.133 ISO in 161 plate appearances) prior to landing on the IL, but the Royals are hoping that the extra time in the minors to regain confidence at the plate will set the 22-year-old up for a big finish to the season. He should settle back into an everyday role for the Royals while moving between the corner-outfield spots and designated hitter.

The Royals selected Jensen's contract from Triple-A Omaha on Monday.

One of the top catching prospects in all of baseball, Jensen will join the Royals for September after he delivered a .290/.377/.501 slash line with 20 home runs and 10 stolen bases in 111 games between Omaha and Double-A Northwest Arkansas this season. The Royals' immediate plans for Jensen aren't clear, but the team's willingness to frequently use top backstop Salvador Perez at designated hitter or first base could pave the way for Jensen to see semi-regular playing time at catcher or DH. Jensen bats from the left side, so the Royals may look to limit his exposure to southpaws over the final month of the season.

The Royals placed India on the 10-day injured list Monday due to a left wrist sprain.

India had been held out of the lineup in both of the Royals' previous two games, but the nature of his absence wasn't known until the team revealed Monday that he was dealing with an injury. The severity of the wrist sprain isn't known, making it difficult to speculate how quickly India might be able to return from the IL. While India is on the shelf, Michael Massey and Adam Frazier should be in line to see the bulk of the starts at second base.

The Athletics transferred Bowden (lat) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Monday.

Bowden landed on the 15-day IL on Aug. 22 after straining his left lat, and his move to the 60-day IL officially ends his season. The 30-year-old reliever posted a 4.22 ERA and 7:5 K:BB over 10.2 frames with the big club.

The Athletics recalled Schuemann from Triple-A Las Vegas on Monday.

Schuemann was sent down to the minors on Aug. 22 after slashing only .200/.303/.288 in 188 plate appearances, but he's back in the big leagues with the Athletics' active roster expanding to 28 men Monday. The 28-year-old will fill a utility role in September.