MLB Player News

The Royals claimed Little off waivers from the Cubs on Thursday and optioned him to Triple-A Omaha.

Little lost his spot on Chicago's 40-man roster in the flurry of moves following Monday's trade deadline, but he'll reclaim a roster spot upon joining the Royals organization. He'll begin his tenure with the Royals organization at Triple-A, where he's logged a 5.70 ERA and 1.81 WHIP over 23.2 innings this season.

Major League Baseball suspended Speier for three games Thursday, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Speier was ejected from Wednesday's game after intentionally hitting Gleyber Torres with a pitch and will now also receive a three-game ban for his actions. Speier will appeal the suspension, per McCosky, and he'll remain eligible to pitch until a final verdict is reached.

The Astros optioned Dezenzo to Triple-A Sugar Land on Thursday, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Dezenzo has received only 19 plate appearances during the second half, going 3-for-18 with a 1:7 BB:K. The Astros will announce a corresponding roster move prior to Friday's game in San Diego.

Donovan is not in the lineup for Thursday's contest versus the Tigers.

Donovan returned from a nearly three-month long absence this week, going 1-for-7 at the plate in the first two games of the series. The Tigers are starting southpaw Framber Valdez in the series finale, but the left-handed-hitting Donovan not being in the lineup could be more about easing him back into action following a long layoff. Leo Rivas is handling third base in Donovan's stead.

Naylor is not in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Tigers.

It's the first day off since June 17 for Naylor, who is in a 42-game homerless drought. Weston Wilson will fill in at first base and bat sixth for the Mariners.

Raleigh is absent from the lineup for Thursday's game versus the Tigers.

Raleigh was hit by a pitch in the midsection during Wednesday's win over the Tigers, though he stayed in and finished the contest. He's likely sore, but his absence from Thursday's lineup could simply be due to it being an afternoon game after he started the last eight tilts. Jhonny Pereda will fill in at catcher in the series finale while Raleigh rests.

Blue Jays manager John Schneider said Thursday that Yesavage has been diagnosed with meniscus damage in his left knee and will visit a specialist Monday, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Yesavage had to be lifted from his start Tuesday against the Astros and was placed on the injured list Wednesday. Schneider noted that surgery for Yesavage "is always a possibility," but that determination will be made following his exam Monday. Even if an operation isn't required, Yesavage is likely to be sidelined for several weeks.

Joyce pitched a scoreless and hitless inning in relief against Baltimore on Wednesday, walking one batter and striking out one.

Joyce was activated from the 60-day IL on Tuesday after being deemed ready to return from right shoulder surgery. The flamethrowing reliever showed that he still has impressive velocity, throwing nine of his 16 pitches over 100 mph and topping out at 102.2 mph. Joyce's command was a bit spotty -- he threw eight balls and eight strikes -- but that didn't cost him in the scoring column. Joyce has always had closer-like stuff, and with the Angels trading away Kirby Yates and Ryan Zeferjahn at the deadline, there's a clear path for Joyce to work his way up to the closer role before the end of the campaign.

The Athletics outrighted Zhuang to Triple-A Las Vegas on Tuesday.

Zhuang is no longer a member of the Athletics' 40-man roster after the Athletics designated him for assignment Friday, but he'll remain in the organization after going unclaimed off waivers. The 25-year-old righty has yet to make his MLB debut and has compiled a 6.42 ERA, 1.60 WHIP and 63:33 K:BB in 82.2 innings between stops with Las Vegas and Double-A Midland.

Springs (hip) was able to restart a throwing program Wednesday after landing on the 15-day injured list Tuesday, MLB.com reports.

The Athletics placed Springs on the shelf due to a fatigued right hip, an injury that's been plaguing him throughout the season. An MRI on the hip returned negative for an acute injury, and the fact that Springs is already throwing again seemingly indicates that he didn't suffer any sort of major setback coming out of his most recent start Friday and may have just been placed on the IL for the purpose of getting a reset. Though Springs could be physically ready to go when first eligible to return from the IL on Aug. 16, the Athletics won't have much incentive to rush him back or guarantee him a rotation spot once he returns. The veteran southpaw has posted a bloated 6.17 ERA and 1.48 WHIP this season and will likely be headed for free agency this winter, as the Athletics hold a $15 million club option on his contract for 2027 that they will almost certainly decline.