MLB Player News

Mountcastle (hamstring) has gone 8-for-19 (.421) with two home runs, three doubles and six RBI over five games during his rehab assignment with Triple-A Norfolk.

After spending two months on the shelf due to a right hamstring strain, Mountcastle appears to be on the verge of being activated from the injured list. The 28-year-old slugger is expected to spend the weekend in the minor leagues to wrap up his assignment, and the Orioles are likely to reinstate him ahead of Monday's series opener in Philadelphia if all goes well. Mountcastle should return to his role as Baltimore's primary first baseman upon his return, which would shift Ryan O'Hearn back into the outfield, and it remains to be seen how much playing time Coby Mayo will see down the stretch. That outlook could change depending on what the Orioles do ahead of Thursday's trade deadline, however.

Kolek was traded from the Padres to the Royals on Thursday along with Ryan Bergert in exchange for Freddy Fermin, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Kolek was optioned to Triple-A earlier this week after logging a 4.18 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 56 strikeouts across 79.2 innings in the big-league rotation. Bergert and/or Kolek could get a look in the Royals rotation down the stretch, given the injuries to Cole Ragans (shoulder) and Kris Bubic (shoulder).

Vest should remain Detroit's closer, but the club has some new setup options in front of him with the Tigers adding Rafael Montero, Kyle Finnegan and Codi Heuer in separate trades, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

Finnegan had been Washington's closer before the deal, compiling a 4.38 ERA and 20 saves in 40 appearances, but he isn't a big strikeout guy with only 32 over 39 innings. Vest has a stronger 2.53 ERA and has also struck out 51 batters across 46.1 innings, so he still profiles as the best closing option for Detroit. However, Finnegan and the other relievers at least give the Tigers some more options to mix and match with. Detroit also added former closer Paul Sewald (shoulder) in a trade, but he was transferred to the 60-day injured list Thursday, per Chris McCosky of The Detroit News, and won't be eligible for activation until Sept. 10.

The Royals acquired Bergert and Stephen Kolek from the Padres on Thursday in exchange for Freddy Fermin, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Bergert has made seven starts and four relief appearances this season for the Padres and compiled a 2.78 ERA and 34:18 K:BB over 35.2 innings. The 25-year-old boasts a 26.8 percent strikeout rate at the minor-league level and should go directly into the Kansas City rotation.

The Yankees acquired Bednar from the Pirates on Thursday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports. Pittsburgh received Rafael Flores and two other prospects in the deal.

Bednar had a poor 2024 season and a bad enough start to 2025 that he was sent down to the minors for a while. However, he has rebounded in a major way, permitting just one earned run with a 29:5 K:BB over 23.1 innings covering his last 24 appearances. It's not clear whether manager Aaron Boone will use Bednar, Devin Williams or both to close games. Bednar has an additional year of team control next season.

Aranda was lifted from Thursday's game against the Yankees in the fifth inning with an apparent left wrist injury, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

He was playing first base when a throw from Junior Caminero took Aranda up the line. Aranda's hand collided with the midsection of Giancarlo Stanton -- who was trying to beat out an infield single -- and Aranda immediately fell to the ground in pain. He is likely to undergo tests, and the Rays could have more on his status after the game. Aranda went 1-for-2 with an RBI single in his two plate appearances before exiting.

The Tigers transferred Sewald (shoulder) to the 60-day injured list Thursday, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Acquired earlier in the day in a trade with the Guardians, Sewald is now shifting off the 40-man roster to make room for another reliever, Kyle Finnegan. Sewald is working his way back from a moderate teres major strain and now isn't eligible for activation until Sept. 10.

The Tigers designated Enns for assignment Thursday.

The transaction will free up a spot on the 40-man roster for Codi Heuer, who was acquired via trade. Enns has posted a 5.60 ERA and 15:4 K:BB over 17.2 innings with the Tigers this season, making two starts and five relief appearances.

The Rangers traded Heuer to the Tigers on Thursday in exchange for cash.

Since being sent down to Triple-A in early June, Heuer has posted a 3.63 ERA and 1.27 WHIP alongside a 28:4 K:BB in 17.1 innings. He'll now provide additional bullpen depth to the Tigers' 40-man roster, but he'll begin his tenure in the organization at Triple-A Toledo.

Diaz was removed from Thursday's game against the Yankees in the fourth inning after being hit on the right forearm by a pitch, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Diaz initially remained in the game after being hit by a Marcus Stroman offering in the top of the first inning, but he was removed for a pinch hitter the next time his spot in the order game up. The designated hitter's name has come up in trade rumors, but Topkin hears that Diaz's removal was related to injury and not a trade. The Rays should have more on his condition after the game.