MLB Player News

The Athletics selected Morales' contract from Triple-A Las Vegas on Friday.

Morales has pitched at both Double- and Triple-A this season, registering a 3.73 ERA, 10.8 K/9 and 3.5 BB/9 across 89.1 innings. He's started 14 games but recently was moved to the bullpen at Las Vegas. Expect Morales to initially work out of the Athletics' bullpen.

Ortiz's locker has been cleared out in the Guardians' clubhouse Friday as he remains under investigation by MLB, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.

Teammate Emmanuel Clase also had his locker cleared out, as both pitchers are currently on paid non-disciplinary leave as part of the MLB's sports-betting investigation. Ortiz was placed on leave July 18, and Clase joined him this week just ahead of Thursday's trade deadline. It appears the Guardians don't expect to have Ortiz available again this season.

Clase's locker has been cleared out in the Guardians' clubhouse Friday as he remains under investigation by MLB, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.

Clase was placed on non-disciplinary paid leave through Aug. 31 as part of MLB's sports-betting investigation, but his locker being cleared out could signal that the Guardians don't expect Clase to be back with the team this season. Teammate Luis L. Ortiz also had his locker cleared out Friday, as he is also on paid leave in the same gambling investigation. Clase's fall from grace has been quick after he finished third in AL Cy Young voting last season. It remains to be seen if he'll pitch again in the majors.

Correa (illness) is batting fourth and starting at third base in Friday's game against the Red Sox.

Correa was out of the lineup Wednesday in Minnesota with an illness before he was traded back to the Astros on Thursday. With Jeremy Pena (ribs) activated from the IL on Friday, Correa will man third base moving forward for Houston. The 30-year-old is slashing .267/.319/.386 with seven home runs, 31 RBI, 40 runs scored and a 26:68 BB:K across 364 plate appearances this season. Returning to the Astros could wake up his bat.

Short was designated for assignment by the Astros on Friday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Jeremy Pena (ribs) is back from the injured list, and the team also acquired Carlos Correa from the Twins on Thursday. Short has been booted from the 40-man roster as a result. The infielder slashed .220/.291/.380 with two home runs, seven RBI, nine runs scored and a 4:18 BB:K across 56 plate appearances with Houston.

The Astros optioned Melton to Triple-A Sugar Land on Friday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

The Astros' No. 2 prospect, Melton slashed .206/.270/.265 with one triple, six RBI, three runs scored, three stolen bases and a 3:14 BB:K across his first 37 big-league plate appearances this season. Following the team's acquisition of Jesus Sanchez at the trade deadline, Melton will go get more at-bats in the minors.

The Astros optioned Matthews to Triple-A Sugar Land on Friday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Houston's top prospect, Matthews got his first taste of the big leagues in July and slashed .143/.211/.400 with three home runs, eight RBI, five runs scored and a 2:18 BB:K across 40 plate appearances. With Jeremy Pena (ribs) back from the IL and the addition of Carlos Correa, the Astros can let Matthews get more seasoning in the minors.

The Astros recalled Hernandez from Triple-A Sugar Land on Friday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Hernandez has pitched in three games out of the bullpen for Houston this season, logging a 7.71 ERA, 2.36 WHIP and 7:5 K:BB across 4.2 innings. He's been much better at Triple-A, with a 1.70 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 48:17 K:BB over 37 innings of action.

The Astros activated Pena (ribs) from the 10-day injured list Friday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Pena missed the entire month of July and hasn't been in the Astros' lineup since June 27. Following the addition of Carlos Correa, Pena will stick at shortstop for Houston, with Correa taking up third base. Getting both players, along with Jesus Sanchez, will be a big boost to the lineup. Pena is slashing .322/.378/.489 with 11 home runs, 40 RBI, 48 runs scored, 15 stolen bases and a 20:55 BB:K across 350 plate appearances this season.

The Tigers optioned Lee to Triple-A Toledo on Friday, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Following the Tigers' plethora of bullpen additions over the last few days, Lee is the odd man out after he's been getting hit hard in recent outings. Lee has registered a 4.10 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 36:9 K:BB across his first 37.1 major-league innings.