MLB Player News

The Rays optioned Piper to Double-A Montgomery on Tuesday, though he'll remain with the big-league club through Wednesday's series finale in Colorado as a member of the taxi squad.

The 28-year-old was promoted Monday to provide catching depth in the wake of Hunter Feduccia's departure at the trade deadline, but trade-acquisition Liam Hicks has quickly joined the active roster. Piper started Monday's contest and went 1-for-4 with a walk and a run scored in his major-league debut. He should return to Montgomery later this week, as long as Hicks and backup Nick Fortes stay healthy.

Donovan (groin) was activated from the 10-day injured list Tuesday and is starting at third base versus the Tigers, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.

As expected, Donovan is back Tuesday after a left groin strain kept him out since mid-May. The infielder should find work at the hot corner with J.P. Crawford on the 10-day injured list due to a wrist injury. The Mariners also activated Taylor Ward and recalled Jhonny Pereda from Triple-A Tacoma on Tuesday. In corresponding moves, the Mariners released Rob Refsnyder and Mitch Garver, and they designated Stuart Fairchild for assignment.

The Mariners designated Fairchild for assignment Tuesday.

The Mariners selected Fairchild to the active roster Saturday, but he'll now lose his spot without making an appearance with the big club. Brendan Donovan (groin) was reinstated from the injured list in a corresponding move.

The Rays optioned Grove to Triple-A Durham on Tuesday.

The right-hander was promoted from Durham on Monday and will quickly return to the affiliate to make room on the big-league roster for trade acquisition Tyler Wells. Grove has made two appearances with Tampa Bay this year and has pitched well in that limited sample with two earned runs allowed and a 4:0 K:BB over five innings.

Interim Red Sox manager Chad Tracy said Tuesday that Crochet (lat/shoulder) has resumed throwing from 50-to-60 feet on flat ground, Mac Cerullo of the Boston Herald reports.

It's a significant development in Crochet's rehab program, as he hadn't thrown a baseball since lat tightness forced him to shut down his throwing program in late May. The left-hander still has a significant way to go before being cleared for game action, but he still appears to have a shot of rejoining the Red Sox before the end of the regular season.

The Rays designated Solesky for assignment Monday.

Solesky ended up losing his spot on the 40-man roster after the Rays needed to clear room for trade-deadline pickup Tyler Wells. The 28-year-old righty made a three-inning relief appearance in his MLB debut for the Rays back in May but has pitched exclusively at Triple-A Durham ever since. Over 24 appearances (seven starts) at Durham, Solesky owns a 7.03 ERA, 1.71 WHIP and 54:22 K:BB in 56.1 innings.

The Royals claimed Thomas off waivers from the Athletics on Tuesday and optioned him to Triple-A Omaha.

Thomas didn't throw a pitch for the Athletics after being claimed off waivers last week, and he's now on the move again. The left-hander has been tagged for a whopping 27 runs over 11.2 innings covering four career major-league outings.

The Twins optioned Rojas to Triple-A St. Paul on Tuesday.

The left-hander last pitched Sunday in Seattle and surrendered three earned runs over one inning. Rojas and his 3.34 ERA over 29.2 innings this season are returning to Triple-A to make room on the big-league roster for trade-acquisition Jeff Hoffman.

The Red Sox optioned Gonzalez to Triple-A Worcester on Tuesday, Chris Henrique of BostonSportsJournal.com reports

Gonzalez will head back to the minors to help make room on the active roster for the additions Boston made prior to Monday's trade deadline. The 29-year-old utility man has seen his production take a hit this season, slashing just .185/.264/.308 with seven RBI and seven runs scored in 73 plate appearances with Boston.

Manager Craig Albernaz said Tuesday that Basallo (shoulder) is close to participating in both his catching and hitting progressions and could be cleared for a rehab assignment within the next two weeks, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

The 21-year-old was shut down in late July after receiving an injection to help his right shoulder inflammation, and he appears close to being cleared for most baseball activities. Given that he'll require a rehab assignment and still has at least a few steps before getting to that point, Basallo is tracking toward a return from the injured list in the second half of August.