MLB Player News

The Blue Jays reinstated Martinez from his 80-game suspension Monday and optioned him to the rookie-level Florida Complex League.

Martinez was handed an 80-game ban in June for violating MLB's performance-enhancing drugs policy and began a rehab assignment Sept. 6 at Triple-A Buffalo. With Buffalo's season ending Sunday and the Blue Jays not eager to open up a spot for him on the active roster for the final week of the season, Martinez will head to Toronto's spring training complex in Florida for additional work. Despite the suspension presenting a bump in the road in his development, the 22-year-old performed well in 74 games at Triple-A Buffalo this season, batting .267 with 17 home runs and 49 RBI. Martinez should get every opportunity in the spring to compete for a spot on Toronto's Opening Day roster.

The Mariners optioned Diaz to their spring training complex Monday.

The move makes room on the Mariners' 28-man active roster for right-handed reliever Gregory Santos (biceps), who was reinstated from the 15-day injured list. Diaz had made two appearances for the big club since being recalled Sept. 1, allowing one hit and one walk while striking out three over 3.1 scoreless innings.

Alvarez will undergo an MRI on his right knee Monday after an X-ray on Sunday came back negative, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Alvarez exited Sunday's game against the Angels after banging his knee on the ground on a slide and is not in the lineup for Monday's series opener versus the Mariners. Astros manager Joe Espada noted that the slugger woke up sore Monday, although Alvarez had been set to undergo an MRI regardless. Consider Alvarez day-to-day for now, with more clarity on his situation potentially coming later in the day.

The Mariners reinstated Santos (biceps) from the 15-day injured list Monday, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.

Santos had been on the injured list since Aug. 2 due to right biceps inflammation. He began his rehab assignment with Triple-A Tacoma in early September, and across six outings he allowed one run on two hits and seven walks while striking out six across 5.1 frames. Santos has joined the Mariners in Houston and will operate out of the bullpen as Seattle makes a final push for a wild-card spot. To make room on the big-league roster for Santos, left-hander Jhonathan Diaz was optioned to the minors.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Sunday that he will "mix and match" at closer with Slaten and Chris Martin following the season-ending injury to Kenley Jansen (shoulder), Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald reports.

Slaten has looked sharp since returning from his elbow injury last month, posting a 1.69 ERA and 12:2 K:BB over 10.2 innings covering 11 appearances. Cora indicated Sunday that he envisions the Rule 5 pick as a potential long-term closer option, and the 27-year-old could get a look in the role this week. Jansen is an impending free agent, so Boston will be looking for a new closer next season.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Sunday that he will "mix and match" at closer with Martin and Justin Slaten following the injury to Kenley Jansen (shoulder), Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald reports.

Martin stepped into the closer role for the Red Sox late last season after Jansen's campaign ended prematurely and will now be in the mix for saves again for the final week of this year. The veteran reliever has put up a 3.48 ERA and superb 48:2 K:BB over 41.1 innings out of Boston's bullpen this season.

Blue Jays manager John Schneider said Monday that Bichette (finger) traveled to Arizona this week to meet with a hand specialist, Scott Mitchell of TSN.ca reports.

Bichette has already been ruled out for the season with a fractured right middle finger, but the consultation with the specialist should help the infielder determine whether or not he'll need surgery to address the injury. Regardless of whether he gets surgery, Bichette should be back to full health in advance of spring training. The 26-year-old is scheduled to become a free agent after the 2025 season and could be a trade candidate this winter, though the Blue Jays may prefer to have Bichette rebuild some value after he posted a career-worst .599 OPS over 336 plate appearances in 2024.

The Red Sox recalled Shugart from Triple-A Worcester on Monday, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

He'll absorb the roster spot vacated by Kenley Jansen (shoulder), who was placed on the 15-day injured list. Shugart has yielded three runs over 1.1 innings covering three appearances during his brief time with the Red Sox this season.

The Red Sox placed Jansen on the 15-day injured list Monday with right shoulder inflammation, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

The move was reported Sunday and now the transaction is official, which ends Jansen's season. Jansen has battled through a shoulder problem throughout this month, and since the Red Sox are out of the playoff hunt, they have opted to go ahead and shut him down. The Red Sox will turn to Chris Martin and Justin Slaten as closer options over the final week of the season. Jansen will be a free agent this offseason and has likely thrown his last pitch for the Red Sox.

Blue Jays manager John Schneider confirmed that Varsho (shoulder) underwent right rotator cuff surgery Monday, Scott Mitchell of TSN.ca reports.

The Blue Jays haven't provided a timeline for Varsho to resume baseball activities. Before being shut down for the season earlier this month, Varsho hit just .214 and got on base at a .293 clip over 513 plate appearances, but he was a decent source of counting stats (18 home runs, 10 stolen bases, 73 runs and 58 RBI).