MLB Player News

The Rays reinstated Lowe (oblique) from the 10-day injured list Friday.

The second baseman landed on the shelf just before the All-Star break due to oblique soreness and is ready to rejoin the Rays for the start of the second half. In 31 games since the start of June, Lowe had been one of the hotter hitters in baseball with eight homers and a .319/.366/.575 slash line.

Moncada isn't part of the starting lineup for Friday's game against the Phillies.

Moncada started six straight games after being activated from the 10-day injured list July 8. However, the third baseman is out of the lineup for the Angels' first game coming out of the All-Star break. Kevin Newman will bat ninth and play third base in Moncada's place.

Zeferjahn will start Friday's game against the Phillies, Sam Blum of The Athletic reports.

Zeferjahn will serve as an opener Friday, marking his first big-league start. The 27-year-old owns a 5.66 ERA and a 41:22 K:BB across 35 innings in 2025. He's completed two innings in just one of his 40 appearances.

Baldwin (back) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Charlotte on Friday, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

Baldwin has been shelved since July 9 with a lower back strain, and he'll work a brief minor-league rehab stint before being cleared to rejoin the 26-man roster. The 24-year-old is slashing .227/.271/.357 with four homers across 169 plate appearances this season for the White Sox.

The Royals recalled Hoffmann from Triple-A Omaha on Friday.

Hoffmann made his MLB debut earlier this season, allowing two runs in two innings of relief May 30. He'll take the spot of Michael Lorenzen (oblique) on the 26-man roster, although Hoffmann will work out of the bullpen rather than plugging the hole in the rotation. Hoffmann boasts a 2.31 ERA and 55:10 K:BB in 39 innings with Omaha.

MLB has extended Ortiz's non-disciplinary paid leave until Aug. 31, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.

Ortiz has been under investigation for a possible gambling-related offense since July 3, and he'll remain on leave as MLB continues its probe. Cleveland has filled Ortiz's vacated spot in the rotation with Joey Cantillo, and Shane Bieber (elbow) could be a few weeks away from his 2025 debut as well. Ortiz logged a 4.36 ERA over 88.2 innings before being placed on leave.

Fried (finger) isn't listed as one of the Yankees' scheduled starting pitchers in Atlanta this weekend, Chris Kirschner of The Athletic reports.

Reliever Ian Hamilton is starting Friday for the Yankees, with Will Warren and Marcus Stroman set to take the ball Saturday and Sunday, respectively. Fried exited his final start before the All-Star break last Saturday due to a blister on his left index finger, and it appears the organization wants to give him some extra rest before making his first start of the second half. It's unclear when exactly the left-hander will next take the mound, but he lines up to pitch in Toronto early next week, assuming the blister doesn't cause further issues.

Hamilton will open Friday's game against Atlanta, Max Goodman of NJ.com reports.

The Yankees were initially expected to start Max Fried (blister) on Friday, but the team has opted to give Fried a few extra days of rest. Instead, Hamilton will open up what's expected to be a bullpen game. The 30-year-old reliever has a 3.47 ERA through 36.1 innings this season, and he hasn't pitched more than two innings in an outing this season. Coming out of the All-Star break, New York could look to get multiple innings out of Hamilton's fresh arm Friday.

Bazzana (oblique) was activated from the 7-day injured list at Double-A Akron on Friday.

Bazzana has been on the shelf since mid-May with a strained right oblique, but he's been officially cleared to return to action with Akron. The first overall pick in the 2024 First-Year Player Draft appeared in 33 Double-A games before the injury, slashing .252/.362/.433 with four homers and eight stolen bases.

Rafaela will be added to the mix at second base and possibly play one or two games per week at the position, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports. "Give him one or maybe two starts at second so we can get everybody else in the lineup," Boston manager Alex Cora said.

Occasionally moving Rafaela to second base would allow Cora to get as many left-handed bats into the lineup as possible against righties, and reduce the logjam in the outfield. On the days when Rafaela plays second base, Jarren Duran will patrol center field with Roman Anthony in left and Wilyer Abreu in right, while Masataka Yoshida serves as the designated hitter.