MLB Player News

Semien (foot) could miss the entire weekend series against the Guardians and a trip to the 10-day injured list is possible, Jeff Wilson of AllDLLS.com reports.

Semien had to be lifted from Thursday's game versus the Royals due to a left foot contusion after fouling a ball off the area. He has not been diagnosed with any fractures, but evidently the discomfort could keep him out a handful of days or longer. Ezequiel Duran, Cody Freeman and Josh Smith and Michael Helman are options to play second base for the Rangers while Semien is out.

Loaisiga (elbow) will be examined by Dr. Keith Meister on Tuesday, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

The initial diagnosis is a right flexor strain, but Loaisiga will receive a second opinion from noted surgeon Dr. Meister in Texas. Whether Loaisiga needs surgery could be determined during that appointment. Loaisiga underwent an internal brace procedure on his right elbow in April of 2024.

The Rays optioned Boyle to Triple-A Durham on Friday.

Boyle had yielded 16 runs (15 earned) over his last three starts and did not last longer than four innings in any of those outings. He will look to sharpen things up back at Durham and hope to get another opportunity with the Rays later this season.

Basallo is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Astros, Andy Kostka of TheBaltimoreBanner.com reports.

Basallo inked an eight-year extension with the Orioles earlier Friday, and he'll get the night off to rest after what interim manager Tony Mansolino called a "rigorous" medical examination leading up to the extension. The 21-year-old had started in three of four games since being called up from Triple-A Norfolk on Sunday, and he should be a near-everyday player going forward.

The Rays recalled Van Belle from Triple-A Durham on Friday.

Van Belle will receive his first look in the majors after being acquired from the Reds in the Zack Littell trade last month. The 29-year-old is taking the roster spot of Joe Boyle, who had been working out of the rotation for Tampa Bay and started Thursday versus St. Louis. Van Belle should be a candidate to fill that spot given his 3.17 ERA across 105 innings at Triple-A this year, but the Rays have yet to announce their updated pitching plans. Van Belle will likely be available out of the bullpen for the at least the next few days since the rotation opening won't come back up until next week in Cleveland.

The Orioles placed Westburg on the 10-day injured list Friday with a right ankle sprain, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Westburg injured the ankle during Monday's contest versus the Red Sox and did not improve enough in subsequent days to avoid a trip to the IL. He will be eligible for activation Aug. 29, but it's uncertain whether Westburg will be ready to go on that date. The Orioles have used Luis Vazquez and Jeremiah Jackson at third base since Westburg was hurt. Vimael Machin is taking Westburg's place on the active roster and could also see reps at the hot corner.

Baldwin is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Twins.

Baldwin's streak of five consecutive starts comes to an end Friday, as the utility player gets the night off. He notched a hit in all five of those outings, going 7-for-13 (.538) with a 3:3 BB:K during that stretch.

The Astros transferred Walter (elbow) to the 60-day injured list Friday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Walter suffered a setback Monday in his recovery from left elbow inflammation and was shut down from throwing. He'll now be ineligible to return until Sept. 23, making a regular-season return uncertain. The 28-year-old has a 3.35 ERA in 53.2 big-league innings this season.

The Astros activated McCullers (finger) from the 15-day injured list Friday, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

McCullers is set to rejoin the rotation Friday in Baltimore after missing more than a month of action with a blister on his pitching hand. The veteran right-hander threw 80 pitches and went five innings in his lone rehab start, so he shouldn't have much of a workload restriction Friday.

The Astros optioned VanWey to Triple-A Sugar Land on Friday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

VanWey will cede his spot on the 26-man roster to Lance McCullers (finger), who is coming off the injured list to start Friday's game. The 26-year-old logged a 5.59 ERA and 1.86 WHIP in 9.2 innings with the Astros. He has a 4.34 ERA in 18.2 innings with Sugar Land in 2025.