MLB Player News

The Royals optioned Waters to Triple-A Omaha on Friday.

Waters has been in a slump at the plate recently, going 1-for-19 since June 24. His struggles will ultimately cost him his place on the active roster and open up playing time in the outfield for Nick Loftin, John Rave and Mark Canha. Luke Maile was selected from Omaha to fill the open roster spot.

The Royals selected Maile's contract from Triple-A Omaha on Friday, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Salvador Perez has been playing through a bit of calf tightness recently, so the Royals will bring up Maile to provid insurance behind the plate in case Perez ends up on the IL. The 34-year-old Maile has done well in the minors this year, slashing .280/.416/.354 through 101 plate appearances at Triple-A. Drew Waters was optioned to Omaha in a corresponding move.

Paddack didn't factor into the decision Friday against the Rays, giving up two runs on five hits and no walks in five innings. He struck out five.

The five punchouts were Paddack's most since he fanned 10 during his June 1 start. The right-hander hasn't thrown greater than five innings in any of his last five starts, but he's walked just two batters during that span. Paddack owns a lackluster 4.64 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 68:24 K:BB over 95 innings this year, and he shapes up as a fairly risky fantasy option his next time out in a difficult assignment at home versus the first-place Cubs.

Littell didn't factor into the decision Friday against the Twins, giving up one run on four hits and two walks in six innings. He struck out five.

Littell fanned five while allowing a lone run in his third consecutive start, tossing six strong innings Friday. The 29-year-old right-hander had previously gone four straight outings without walking a batter, but he's now issued two free passes in each of his last two appearances. Littell is now up to 12 quality starts in 2025, and he'll carry a steady 3.50 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 76:15 K:BB across 110.2 frames into a tough spot on the road against the first-place Tigers.

Stroman didn't factor into the decision Friday against the Mets, giving up three runs on seven hits and one walk in five innings. He struck out four.

Although Stroman allowed a season-high seven hits, he was able to stretch out to 81 pitches in his second start off the injured list. Additionally, the veteran right-hander set a season high in strikeouts while producing nine whiffs. The Yankees will likely need him to stay in their rotation going forward due to Clarke Schmidt (forearm) going on the injured list Friday. Stroman will look to improve upon a 7.45 ERA, 1.66 WHIP and 12:10 K:BB over 19.1 frames his next time out at home versus the Mariners, who are averaging 5.2 runs per game over their last 21 contests.

Kim was removed from Friday's game against the Twins due to a right calf injury, Ryan Bass of FanDuel Sports Network Sun reports.

After spending the first several months of the season on the injured list due to shoulder and hamstring injuries, Kim's Rays debut came to an early end after he injured his calf attempting to steal third base in the seventh inning. Manager Kevin Cash said after the game that Kim is considered day-to-day, so it doesn't seem like the 29-year-old infielder is headed for another IL stint. Taylor Walls will likely start any games Kim has to miss.

The Astros designated Weems for assignment Friday, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Since joining the active roster June 24, Weems has made two appearances for Houston, giving up two runs across three total innings. He'll now lose his spot on the 26-man and 40-man rosters in favor of Jason Alexander, who was recalled from Triple-A Sugar Land in a corresponding move.

The Astros recalled Alexander from Triple-A Sugar Land on Friday. Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Alexander owns a 10.50 ERA through 12 innings in the majors this season, though he's given up just two runs in six frames since joining the Astros organization. He'll come up from the minors to provide length out of the bullpen and replace Jordan Weems, who was DFA'd in a corresponding move.

Manoah (elbow) could begin a minor-league rehab stint after throwing one more live bullpen session, Mitch Bannon of The Athletic reports.

Manoah began facing live hitters in early June and tossed two simulated innings July 1. He appears close to kicking off a rehab assignment in the minors, which will presumably span several weeks since the right-hander hasn't yet seen game action this season. Early August seems like the most likely timeframe for Manoah to be activated from the 60-day IL.

The Athletics placed Urias on the 10-day injured list Friday with a right hamstring strain, retroactive to Thursday.

Urias' hamstring forced him to make an early exit from Wednesday's game, and he'll spend at least 10 days on the injured list now that he's been officially diagnosed with a strain. Zack Gelof (ribs) was activated from the 60-day IL in a corresponding move, which means Urias likely won't benefit from regular playing time once he's healthy.