MLB Player News

Slaten (shoulder) threw off a mound at Fenway Park on Tuesday, Rob Bradford of WEEI.com reports.

Slaten looked to be throwing at full effort in his first time tossing from the bump since he landed on the injured list in early June due to right shoulder inflammation. The right-hander will surely require some rehab appearances before being activated from the 60-day injured list, and it's not clear when he might be ready for game action in the minors.

The Astros recalled Blubaugh from Triple-A Sugar Land, and he could pitch behind opener Steven Okert against the Marlins on Tuesday, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

The right-hander joined the Astros as a member of the taxi squad Monday and has now joined the 26-man roster. Blubaugh's lone MLB appearance this year was a start in late April, and he gave up seven runs (two earned) on five hits with one walk and six strikeouts over four innings.

Rodriguez (elbow) said Tuesday that he expects to be ready to throw bullpen sessions "in about a month-and-a-half to two months," Foul Territory TV reports.

Rodriguez is scheduled to undergo right elbow debridement surgery early next week, and it's possible the timeline for his throwing program will change based on how the operation goes. However, it sounds like the right-hander should have a relatively normal offseason if everything goes as planned. Rodriguez will remain a health risk heading into the 2026 season after missing all of 2025 and most of the second half of 2024 with arm problems.

Butler is not in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Nationals.

The left-handed-hitting Butler was out of the lineup Sunday against the Diamondbacks versus a lefty, and he's sitting again Tuesday as the Nationals send southpaw MacKenzie Gore to the bump. Dating back to June 26, Butler has started only one of his club's last six games against lefties. The 25-year-old is slashing just .174/.220/.349 with a 38.5 percent strikeout rate versus left-handers this season and now appears to be on the long side of a platoon. JJ Bleday is in center field, and Colby Thomas is in right field for the Athletics on Tuesday.

Urias (back) is not in the lineup for Tuesday's game versus the Nationals.

Urias had to exit Sunday's contest against the Diamondbacks with lower-back spasms and isn't ready to play even after his team was idle Monday. Max Schuemann will handle second base, and Gio Urshela will be at third base for the Athletics.

Dingler is absent from the lineup for Tuesday's game versus the Twins.

He'll get a well-deserved break after starting each of the previous four contests at catcher. Jake Rogers will be behind the dish and bat ninth while Dingler rests.

Baez is not in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Twins.

Baez had started each of the previous five contests but will get a breather Tuesday. Zach McKinstry is at shortstop, and Matt Vierling will cover center field for the Tigers.

Okert will serve as the Astros' opening pitcher in Tuesday's game versus the Marlins, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Okert will cover the first inning or two before handing things off to AJ Blubaugh, who is expected to be the bulk reliever. The left-handed Okert has had a dynamite season out of the Astros' bullpen, registering a 2.90 ERA and 59:11 K:BB over 49.2 frames.

The Red Sox recalled Campbell from Triple-A Worcester on Tuesday.

Campbell has allowed two runs over two innings during his brief time in the majors this season, and he has collected a 4.17 ERA and 41:15 K:BB across 45.1 frames with Worcester. The righty will likely be used as a low-leverage reliever.

The Red Sox designated Alcala for assignment Tuesday.

Alcala has fanned 46 batters over 40.2 innings this season between the Twins and Red Sox, but he's also walked 23 while posting a 6.64 ERA. Not having minor-league options remaining will hurt him, but it would not be a surprise if another team takes a shot on the hard-throwing reliever.