MLB Player News

Rojas struck out four and scattered four hits and two walks over three scoreless innings out of the bullpen in Wednesday's 4-0 loss to the Royals.

Rojas tossed four scoreless frames in a start against the Athletics in his last appearance over the weekend, but he shifted back to a relief role this week after Connor Prielipp (finger) returned from the injured list to fill the open spot in the rotation. Rojas, a 23-year-old lefty, mopped up after starter Joe Ryan covered the first six innings, and the former trimmed his ERA down to 2.51 for the season. Ryan is expected to be a sought-after commodity ahead of Monday's trade deadline, and if he ends up getting moved, Rojas could be first in line to join the Minnesota rotation.

Tolbert went 2-for-3 with a solo home run, a double, an additional run scored, a steal and a walk in Wednesday's 4-0 win over the Twins.

Tolbert opened the scoring with a solo homer in the third inning. He also showed off his elite speed by stealing second base after drawing a leadoff walk in the seventh frame. The utility man has seen limited opportunities this season but has put up good numbers when called upon, slashing .324/.373/.485 with three homers, six RBI, 21 runs and 13 stolen bases in 79 plate appearances. Tolbert has seen increased playing time at shortstop while Bobby Witt (back) has been sidelined, though the latter's return likely isn't far off.

Athletics manager Mark Kotsay said Wednesday that Kurtz will undergo an MRI on Thursday after X-rays on his left forearm were "kind of unclear," Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Kurtz was forced to depart Wednesday's contest versus the Red Sox after being struck on the forearm by a Patrick Sandoval pitch. The Athletics should offer an update on the star first baseman's status later Thursday. Kurtz just returned from the injured list less than a week ago after missing time with a thumb injury.

The Athletics outrighted Hartlieb to Triple-A Las Vegas on Wednesday.

Hartlieb has the ability to decline the outright assignment and elect free agency, but he already accepted an outright assignment earlier this month and could do so again. The reliever has allowed nine runs with a 6:9 K:BB over 13.1 frames during his time with the Athletics this season.

Diaz is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Rays.

Diaz will be handed the afternoon off after he started behind the plate in three of the Rangers' last four games. Austin Wynns will handle catching duties for the Rangers in the series finale.

Winn is slated to serve as the Rangers' opening pitcher in Thursday's game against the Rays.

The Rangers are treating the series finale in Tampa as a bullpen day, with Winn likely to work the first inning or two before exiting the contest. Marco Gonzales hasn't pitched since making a three-inning appearance July 21 in his Rangers debut and could be tasked with covering multiple frames behind Winn.

Montgomery (elbow) is scheduled to make another rehab start Sunday, Jeff Wilson of AllDLLS.com reports.

Montgomery is sufficiently stretched out after getting his pitch count up to 75 in his last rehab outing, but the Rangers will have the lefty make one more rehab start to iron out the kinks. Working his way back from March 2025 UCL surgery, Montgomery has turned in a 4.74 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 16:2 K:BB in 19 innings across seven rehab starts thus far.

Rangers president of baseball operations Chris Young said Thursday that Seager (back) is on track to be activated from the 10-day injured list before Friday's game in Houston, Jeff Wilson of AllDLLS.com reports.

Seager has played two rehab games with Double-A Frisco this week, and as long as he bounces back physically with no concerns, he'll be reinstated to the active roster this weekend. The veteran shortstop has been sidelined since early July with lower-back inflammation.

Palacios is out of the lineup for Thursday's contest versus the Rangers, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Lefty Marco Gonzales is expected to work in bulk relief for the Rangers, so the lefty-swinging Palacios will take a seat. Ben Williamson will cover second base for the Rays.

Simpson is not in the lineup for Thursday's game versus the Rangers.

It looks to be a routine day off after Simpson started each of the previous 11 contests. Jonny DeLuca, Cedric Mullins and Victor Mesa will patrol the outfield for the Rangers in Thursday's rubber match.