MLB Player News

Walls isn't in the Rays' lineup for Thursday's game versus Cleveland, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Walls will take a seat Thursday after going 1-for-3 with an RBI during Wednesday's game against the Phillies. In his place, Jose Caballero will start at shortstop and bat sixth.

Rodriguez was placed on the 7-day injured list at Triple-A St. Paul on Thursday due to a right thumb sprain, Bobby Nightengale of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

Rodriguez first injured the thumb back in late April and has now aggravated the injury at least twice. He was limited to just 47 games and 209 plate appearances in 2024, so the Twins might want him to play winter ball once he's healthy to make up for lost time. Rodriguez still performed well when on the field, collecting a 1.026 OPS with nine homers and nine steals over four stops.

X-rays on Skubal's right hand came back negative after he exited Thursday's start against the Rockies, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

Skubal was hit on the non-throwing hand by a comebacker in the sixth inning Thursday, though he stayed in the finish the frame. It sounds as through he'll be fine, but he will undergo additional testing to be safe. Skubal yielded just one run on four hits and no walks while limiting the Rockies to one run over six innings in a no-decision. He had thrown just 84 pitches over his six frames, so the lefty might have gone back out for the seventh if not for the hand issue. Skubal is lined up to face the Royals on the road the next time out, as long as his hand continues to check out fine.

The Blue Jays designated Rodriguez (undisclosed) for assignment Thursday.

Rodriguez has been held out of action at Triple-A Buffalo since August due to an unspecified injury, and it remains unknown when he'll be cleared to return to games. While he waits to return, his spot on Toronto's 40-man roster will be given to Brett de Geus, who was claimed off waivers from Miami on Thursday.

The Blue Jays claimed de Geus off waivers from the Marlins on Thursday, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

The 26-year-old holds a 5.00 ERA and 6:2 K:BB over nine innings covering 11 appearances this season at the major-league level. De Geus will be assigned to Triple-A Buffalo for now.

Noel is not in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Rays.

Noel had started the last three games after being in the lineup just once over the previous five contests, but he's back on the bench for the series opener. The rookie is just 2-for-23 with 10 strikeouts so far in September. Will Brennan is occupying right field for the Guardians on Thursday.

The Guardians selected Walters' contract from Triple-A Columbus on Thursday, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.

A second-round pick in the 2023 First-Year Player Draft, Walters has dominated between Double-A Akron and Columbus this season, collecting a 2.32 ERA and 79:25 K:BB over 50.1 innings. The 23-year-old should pitch high-leverage situations eventually for the Guardians but given the weapons they already have in their bullpen, he might just be a middle reliever initially.

The Guardians placed Cobb on the 15-day injured list Thursday due to a right hand blister, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.

Cobb had to be scratched from a scheduled start this past weekend due to the issue and didn't heal fast enough to avoid another stint on the IL. He'll be eligible to return during the final week of the season and should be ready to go by that time. Cobb's injury means both Joey Cantillo and Ben Lively (thigh), presuming the latter is healthy enough to do so, should remain in the Cleveland rotation.

Walters has a 2.97 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, 41 strikeouts and six saves in 30.1 innings across 33 appearances for Triple-A Columbus.

A pure reliever who received almost $1 million after the Guardians selected him with the No. 62 overall pick last year, Walters was assigned to Double-A to begin his pro career and dominated to the tune of a 1.35 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, two saves and 38 strikeouts in 20 innings. His strikeout rate dipped from 46.3 percent to 31.8 percent and his walk rate spiked from 9.8 percent to 13.2 percent after the bump to Triple-A, but Walters is still one of the best relief pitching prospects in the game. He should figure prominently into Cleveland's setup mix as the 2025 season unfolds.

Misiewicz cleared waivers Thursday and was sent outright to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

He was DFA'd by the Yankees on Monday in order to make room for Jon Berti, but Misiewicz will stick with the organization after going unclaimed on waivers. The 29-year-old southpaw owns a 3.33 ERA and 1.13 WHIP across 54 innings in the minors this season.