MLB Player News

The Astros optioned Blubaugh to Triple-A Sugar Land on Sunday.

Blubaugh's latest stint with the big club lasted just one day, as the right-hander was put to work in long relief in Saturday's 9-8 win over the Orioles and was unlikely to be available for at least the next few days. The Astros recalled John Rooney from Triple-A to join the bullpen as a replacement for Blubaugh, who struck out four and gave up two earned runs on three hits and one walk over four innings during Saturday's appearance en route to picking up his second win.

The Astros recalled Rooney from Triple-A Sugar Land on Sunday.

Houston optioned AJ Blubaugh to Triple-A to make room for a fresh bullpen arm. Acquired from the Marlins on Aug. 3, Rooney will be joining the big club for the second time this month after failing to make his MLB debut during his initial stint with Houston.

Keith was scratched from the lineup for Sunday's game against the Royals due to an illness, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

Keith had been slated to start at third base and bat leadoff, but instead Zach McKinstry will get the nod at the hot corner while center fielder Wenceel Perez sets the table. Assuming the illness isn't anything too debilitating, Keith should return to the lineup Monday versus the Athletics. He'd gone 0-for-8 with one walk and five strikeouts over his last three starts, on the heels of a five-game hitting streak.

Gray is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Cardinals.

Gray started in each of the previous three contests and went 4-for-11 with a home run, a double, a walk and two RBI, but he may have to settle for a part-time role moving forward. The Rays will get Yandy Diaz (hamstring) back Sunday following a one-game absence, and top prospect Carson Williams is likely to get an extended look at shortstop after getting called up from Triple-A Durham on Friday. Even with Ha-Seong Kim (back) and Taylor Walls (groin) on the injured list, Gray lacks a clear path to everyday playing time in the middle infield.

Mangum is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Cardinals.

Mangum is a switch hitter, but he's been far more effective against right-handed pitching (.769 OPS in 228 plate appearances) than lefties (.451 OPS in 100 plate appearances) this season. He'll cede the start in center field to Everson Pereira while the Cardinals send Matthew Liberatore to the hill.

Seymour is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Cardinals.

With southpaw Matthew Liberatore on the hill for St. Louis, the left-handed-hitting Seymour will head to the bench while the Rays go with Yandy Diaz at first base and Christopher Morel at designated hitter in the series finale. Since being called up from Triple-A Durham on Aug. 15, Seymour has gone 4-for-24 (.167 average) with one home run and a 1:12 BB:K in seven games.

Feduccia is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Cardinals.

With southpaw Matthew Liberatore toeing the rubber for the Cardinals, Feduccia will give way to Nick Fortes behind the dish. Feduccia has produced a minuscule .506 OPS in 15 games since being acquired from the Dodgers at the trade deadline.

Seymour is slated to start Monday's game against the Guardians in Cleveland, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

At least for one turn through the rotation, Seymour will take over the starting role that was vacated by Joe Boyle, who was optioned to Triple-A Durham on Friday. Since being called up from Triple-A on July 31, Seymour has made five relief appearances, but he covered 3.1 innings Aug. 15 in San Francisco and three frames in his most recent appearance Tuesday against the Yankees, so he should be reasonably stretched out ahead of his first MLB start. The 26-year-old lefty had previously been serving as a full-time member of the rotation at Durham, producing a 2.62 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 104:20 K:BB in 86 innings.

Lowe went 2-for-4 with a walk, an RBI and a run scored in Saturday's 12-1 win over the Yankees.

Lowe contributed to Boston's seven-run ninth inning with a run-producing single and then scored himself. He's either scored or driven in a run in five straight games since joining the Red Sox. Lowe is 5-for-14 with three walks, two doubles, a home run, five RBI and four runs scored for his new team.

Diaz (hamstring) will start at first base and bat third Sunday against the Cardinals, Brian Murphy of MLB.com reports.

Diaz sustained a low-grade hamstring strain in the series opener versus St. Louis on Thursday and sat out Friday's 10-6 win, but he'll return to the lineup following Saturday's team off day. The first baseman has collected at least one hit in eight of his past 10 games and has five multi-hit efforts during that span.