MLB Player News

Interim manager Tony Mansolino said Wednesday that Mountcastle (hamstring) will be sidelined "a while" after the Orioles received his MRI results, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

It's not an encouraging sign for Mountcastle, who remains without a definitive timetable for a return and appears to be out indefinitely due to a right hamstring strain. Baltimore recalled Coby Mayo from the minor leagues after Mountcastle hit the injured list, and the former looks to have a fairly clear pathway to at-bats either at first base or designated hitter for the time being. Ryan O'Hearn is also likely to be needed to handle additional reps at first base as opposed to the outfield while Mountcastle is on the shelf.

Coulombe (forearm) will begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A St. Paul on Friday, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

Coulombe has been on the shelf since mid-May due to a left forearm strain, though he appears to be nearing the final stretch of his recovery. He'll likely only need a few minor-league outings to build back up and could be back in action for Minnesota within the next week. Before hitting the IL, Coulombe had yet to allow a run on the season and turned in an 0.60 WHIP and 19:2 K:BB in 16.2 innings.

The Athletics optioned Sterner to Triple-A Las Vegas on Thursday, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Sterner will head to the minors just one day after he made his first MLB start. While serving as an opening pitcher in front of bulk reliever Jeffrey Springs, Sterner took his third loss of the season after giving up a solo home run in his lone inning. The Athletics reinstated T.J. McFarland (groin) from the injured list in a corresponding move.

The Athletics optioned Alvarado to Triple-A Las Vegas on Thursday, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Alvarado appeared in two of the first three games of this week's series against the Twins, yielding a run in both outings. He'll return to the bullpen at Las Vegas.

The Athletics designated Alexander for assignment Thursday, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

After the Athletics optioned him to Triple-A Las Vegas on Wednesday, Alexander will now be pushed off the 40-man roster a day later with the organization needing to free up a spot for right-hander Michael Kelly (suspension), who was reinstated from the ineligible list. Alexander offers some defensive versatility and has slashed .252/.350/.516 over 180 plate appearances with Las Vegas this season, but since he's an older prospect (28 years old) with a limited track record at the big-league level, it wouldn't be surprising if he ends up clearing waivers.

The Athletics activated McFarland (groin) from the 15-day injured list Thursday, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

He's been out more than three weeks with a groin injury but has been cleared to return following one rehab appearance. McFarland will fill a middle-relief role for the Athletics.

Rogers is starting at catcher and batting ninth in Thursday's game against the White Sox.

Rogers will start Thursday's afternoon tilt to give Dillon Dingler a rest following three straight starts behind the plate. Dingler has emerged as Detroit's top catcher with a .296 batting average and .795 OPS, while Rogers is batting only .125 with a .410 OPS. Rogers has also yet to go deep in 2025, which has sapped him of pretty much any fantasy utility at this point.

The Athletics reinstated Kelly (suspension) from the ineligible list Thursday, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Kelly had been suspended one year for violating the league's gambling policy. The 32-year-old posted a 2.59 ERA and 22:10 K:BB over 31.1 relief innings for the Athletics last season and could end up serving in a middle-relief or setup role now that he's available to the big club again.

Bleday is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Twins.

After getting called back up from Triple-A Las Vegas on Monday, Bleday was on the bench for the series opener but started in left field the past two days, going 0-for-6 with two walks. With Tyler Soderstrom expected to see more time at first base while Nick Kurtz (hip) remains on the injured list, the Athletics will have a spot available in the corner outfield, but Bleday will likely need to be more productive before settling into a full-time role. Bleday will head back to the bench for Thursday's series finale while Brent Rooker cedes designated-hitter duties to Shea Langeliers and steps in for Bleday in left field.

Dingler is not in the lineup for Thursday's game against the White Sox.

Dingler had started each of the last three games but will get Thursday afternoon off, with Jake Rogers entering the lineup. The former has seized the top role behind the plate for the Tigers due to much stronger offensive numbers. Dingler is batting .296 with a .795 OPS, while Rogers is batting only .125 with a .410 OPS.