MLB Player News

Arrighetti has been diagnosed with Morton's Neuroma in his right foot but is aiming to pitch through the issue, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

Morton's Neuroma is a buildup of skin in the foot that leads to nerve problems. Arrighetti had to be pulled off his rehab assignment last week after the foot issue flared up, but the hurler is hopeful ongoing treatment will allow him to pitch through the injury. It's unclear when Arrighetti -- who was acquired from the Astros at the trade deadline for Daulton Varsho -- might be ready to resume his rehab assignment.

Straw is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Red Sox.

With George Springer (shoulder) returning to action Monday and with trade-deadline pickup Brett Bateman having settled in as the main replacement in center field for the departed Daulton Varsho, Straw looks poised to serve as a fourth outfielder for Toronto. Straw had started in eight of the Blue Jays' first nine games of August, going 7-for-32 (.219 average) with four doubles, one triple, one walk, one stolen base, four runs and one RBI.

The Blue Jays scratched Okamoto from the lineup for Monday's game against the Red Sox due to a left knee contusion.

Toronto called up utility player Charles McAdoo from Triple-A Buffalo as part of a flurry of roster moves Monday, and he'll wind up stepping into the starting nine at third base in place of the banged-up Okamoto. Though the bruised knee is likely causing Okamoto discomfort, he should avoid a trip to the injured list so long as he's not dealing with any sort of sprain or structural damage. Okamoto continues to lead the Blue Jays in home runs (24), RBI (70) and runs (61), but his season average has dropped 14 points since the All-Star break down to .225 while he's struck out at a 32.3 percent clip in the second half.

The Royals optioned McGee to Triple-A Omaha on Monday.

His spot on the roster will be absorbed by veteran reliever Craig Kimbrel. McGee was rocked for six runs in a two-inning relief appearance Sunday versus the Cubs.

Encarnacion-Strand is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Twins.

With the hot-hitting Tyler O'Neill seemingly solidifying himself as the Orioles' primary designated hitter, Encarnacion-Strand looks to have faded into a timeshare at third base with Coby Mayo, who will cover the position in Monday's series opener. Encarnacion-Strand will hit the bench for the third time in four contests while he's gone just 3-for-27 with a 2:8 BB:K over his last 10 games.

The Orioles recalled Sanders from Triple-A Norfolk on Monday.

Sanders made two scoreless appearances for the Orioles in July and is back for another go-round with the big club. The 29-year-old will fill a middle-relief role.

The Orioles optioned Povich to Triple-A Norfolk on Monday.

Povich started Sunday's game against the Rangers, yielding three runs on four hits and two walks over just three innings. With Chris Bassitt (back) due to return from the 60-day injured list later this week, Povich is headed back to Norfolk.

The Astros designated Whitcomb for assignment Monday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

The transaction frees a spot on the 40-man roster for the addition of waiver claim Nelson Velazquez. Whitcomb has slashed just .167/.216/.292 in his limited opportunities at the big-league level the past three seasons. The 27-year-old has hit .265/.342/.479 at the Triple-A level and can play all over the field defensively, so he could draw interest via waivers.

The Astros claimed Velazquez off waivers from the Cardinals on Monday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Velazquez had been booted off the Cardinals' 40-man roster this past weekend after slashing .216/.289/.432 with four home runs over 83 plate appearances. The 27-year-old is a candidate to get some starts in the outfield against left-handed pitching.

Monasterio is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Blue Jays.

On Sunday, interim manager Chad Tracy told Mac Cerullo of the Boston Herald that he planned to give Monasterio a day off in the near future, and the skipper settled on Monday's series opener in Toronto for giving the shortstop a breather. Nick Sogard will slide over from second base to replace Monasterio, who had produced a robust .344/.408/.492 slash line with one home run, one stolen base, 14 RBI and nine runs while starting in each of the Red Sox's previous 17 games.