MLB Player News

Loperfido (thumb) went 3-for-5 with a run scored in Wednesday's win over the Orioles.

Getting the start in right field and batting leadoff against right-hander Dean Kremer, Loperfido proved the thumb issue he picked up during Tuesday's twin bill wasn't a serious concern. The 26-year-old outfielder has produced four multi-hit performances in his last eight games, a stretch in which he's batting .500 (12-for-24) with two solo home runs, a steal and two additional runs scored. The Blue Jays could have a logjam in the outfield once Daulton Varsho (hamstring) comes off the injured this weekend with Loperfido, Nathan Lukes, Davis Schneider and Myles Straw all making contributions at the plate.

Lukes went 1-for-2 with a three-run home run in Wednesday's win over the Orioles.

The 31-year-old outfielder had the biggest hit of the afternoon, taking Yennier Cano deep in the seventh inning as he pinch hit for Leo Jimenez before staying in the game to play right field. Lukes has nine homers on the season, but four of them have come in the last eight contests, a stretch in which he's driven in nine runs. Despite his recent display of power, Lukes could get squeezed for playing time when Daulton Varsho (hamstring) comes off the IL this weekend.

Chisholm went 1-for-5 with two stolen bases in a 5-4, extra-innings win against the Rays on Wednesday.

Chisholm singled and proceeded to steal both second and third base in the fourth inning but was stranded without crossing the plate. However, he scored the winning run in the 11th frame after beginning on second as the automatic runner. The thefts were Chisholm's first since June 10 -- a span of 40 games. While he hasn't been as active on the basepaths this season, his .813 OPS is on pace for the second-best mark of his career.

Leiter (leg) threw a live batting practice session Thursday, Jorge Castillo of ESPN.com reports.

It appears to be the first time he's faced hitters since landing on the 15-day injured list in early July with a left fibular head stress fracture. Per Yankees manager Aaron Boone, Leiter could be ready to rejoin the bullpen during the team's series early next week in Texas.

The Athletics acquired Nunez, shortstop Leo De Vries, right-hander Braden Nett and right-hander Henry Baez from the Padres on Thursday in exchange for right-hander Mason Miller and left-hander JP Sears, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Of the four players acquired by the Athletics, Nunez has the closest proximity to the big leagues. He had occupied a spot on the Padres' 40-man roster and made his MLB debut earlier in July, making four relief appearances for San Diego before being demoted shortly before the All-Star break. He had otherwise spent the entire 2025 season in the minors and compiled a 2.06 ERA and 1.03 WHIP while striking out 56 batters over 35 innings between Double-A San Antonio and Triple-A El Paso. Even if the Athletics opt to have Nunez begin his time in the organization at Triple-A Las Vegas, the right-hander likely won't have to wait long to earn a look in the big-league bullpen.

Thaiss is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Yankees, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Though the Rays recently shipped catcher Danny Jansen to Milwaukee while acquiring another backstop in Nick Fortes from Miami, Thaiss' playing-time outlook is unlikely to change dramatically. Thaiss had started in three of the previous four contests, but he's still likely to be stuck in a timeshare behind the dish with Fortes, who is regarded as the superior defender of the two.

Baez was traded rom the Padres to the Athletics on Thursday along with Leo De Vries, Braden Nett and Eduarniel Nunez in exchange for Mason Miller and JP Sears, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Baez is already on the 40-man roster and has never pitched above Double-A, but he has a chance to be a back-end starter for the Athletics as early as next year. The 22-year-old righty has a 1.96 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 89:31 K:BB in 96.2 innings across 20 starts at Double-A this year. Baez doesn't have any plus pitches, and he may not even have any above-average pitches, so his fantasy upside is limited.

Mangum is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Yankees, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Mangum will cede his spot in the outfield to Jonny DeLuca, who will cover center field while Chandler Simpson shifts over to left field. Since the All-Star break, Mangum has started in nine of the Rays' 13 contests while slashing just .147/.194/.176 with two stolen bases, two runs and zero RBI.

Nett was traded rom the Padres to the Athletics on Thursday along with Leo De Vries, Henry Baez and Eduarniel Nunez in exchange for Mason Miller and JP Sears, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Nett has power stuff and has always missed bats at a high clip, but his control has typically been shaky. He had his best stretch as a pro in May and June, when he logged a 1.94 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 49:14 K:BB in 41.2 innings, although he walked nine in 10 innings over his next three starts. The 23-year-old righty has logged 18 total starts at Double-A in his career, so he could get a taste of Triple-A before the end of the year. If Nett is able to limit the walks, he could spend time next year in the Athletics' rotation.

The Rays recalled Rock from Triple-A Durham on Thursday.

Rock made one relief appearance for the Rays earlier this season, allowing two runs over two innings. The lefty has been used primarily as a starter in the minors, so he can give the bullpen some length.