MLB Player News

The Padres traded Hightower to the Orioles on Thursday as part of the package for Ryan O'Hearn and Ramon Laureano, Jon Morosi of MLB Network reports. The Orioles also received Brandon Butterworth, Victor Figueroa, Boston Bateman, Tyson Neighbors and Tanner Smith in return.

Hightower, one of six prospects headed to Baltimore in the trade, has gotten off to a slow start in Single-A this season, slashing .239/.363/.314 with 21 RBI, 30 runs scored and seven steals through 40 games. The 20-year-old infielder will likely remain in Single-A with his new organization.

The Rangers acquired Kelly from the Diamondbacks on Thursday in exchange for left-handers Kohl Drake and Mitch Bratt and right-hander David Hagaman, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Kelly will step right into the rotation behind Jacob deGrom and Nathan Eovaldi, although it's unclear when he'll make his Rangers debut. The 36-year-old Kelly -- who is set to become a free agent this winter -- delivered a 3.22 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 121 strikeouts in 128.2 innings with Arizona this season.

The Padres traded Neighbors to the Orioles on Thursday as part of the package for Ramon Laureano and Ryan O'Hearn, Dennis Lin of The Athletic reports. The Orioles also received Brandon Butterworth, Victor Figueroa, Cobb Hightower, Boston Bateman and Tanner Smith in return.

Neighbors has flown up the Padres' farm system since being drafted last season, and he currently boasts a 3.13 ERA with a 1.04 WHIP and a 27:13 K:BB through 23 innings in Double-A. The 22-year-old righty will aim to continue his fast ascent through the minors with the Orioles, though his MLB debut will likely have to wait until next season.

Simpson suffered a left index finger sprain Thursday and is considered day-to-day, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

He exited Thursday's game against the Yankees with the injury, but it doesn't sound like it will result in a stint on the injured list. Simpson hit .317 with 10 steals, 11 runs, zero home runs and three RBI across 82 at-bats in July.

Williamson was optioned to Triple-A Tacoma on Thursday.

Williamson had been the Mariners third baseman prior to the Eugenio Suarez acquisition, and it makes more sense for Williamson to be playing every day at Triple-A than playing sparingly in the majors. Known more for his glove than his bat, Williamson is slashing .253/.294/.310 with one home run and five steals in 85 games as a rookie.

Mastrobuoni was recalled from Triple-A Tacoma on Thursday.

The Mariners acquired Eugenio Suarez to handle third base, and Mastrobuoni fits better as a bench infielder role than Ben Williamson, who will head back to Triple-A to get regular at-bats. Mastrobuoni is hitting .252 with one home run and five steals in 71 games in the majors.

Houston optioned Whitcomb to Triple-A Sugar Land on Thursday.

The Astros made a flurry of acquisitions ahead of Thursday's trade deadline that led to Whitcomb losing his spot on the 26-man active roster. The 26-year-old infielder is closing in on his third season in a row with 20-plus homers and double-digit steals at the Triple-A level, but he has a career .178 average and .231 on-base percentage in 78 plate appearances in the big leagues.

The Blue Jays acquired Valenzuela from the Padres on Thursday in exchange for Will Wagner.

Valenzuela has slashed .229/.313/.387 with 12 homers over 87 contests at Double-A San Antonio this season. The 24-year-old catcher looks to be mostly a depth addition for Toronto.

Bateman was traded from the Padres to the Orioles on Thursday as part of the return for Ryan O'Hearn and Ramon Laureano, Dennis Lin of The Athletic reports. The Orioles also received Brandon Butterworth, Victor Figueroa, Cobb Hightower, Tyson Neighbors and Tanner Smith in return.

A 6-foot-8, 19-year-old left-handed pitcher, Bateman has a high ceiling but is years away from the majors. The Padres drafted him 52nd overall in the 2024 First-Year Player Draft and gave him a $2.5 million bonus. Bateman has a 4.08 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 75:25 K:BB in 68.1 innings at Single-A this season.

The Rangers acquired Coulombe from the Twins on Thursday in exchange for Garrett Horn.

Coulombe turned himself into a nice trade chip for the Twins by posting a 1.16 ERA and 31:9 K:BB over 31 innings. The southpaw is effective against both left- and right-handed hitters and should help fill a setup role in Texas.