MLB Player News

The Mariners placed France on irrevocable outright waivers Sunday, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

France is now eligible to be claimed by the 29 other teams in the league, but if no team is willing to foot the bill on the money remaining on his $6.78 million salary for 2024, the Mariners can send him to the minors. That being said, France has the option to decline reporting to the minors as a result of his MLB service time. Additionally, there's a possibility that he clears waivers and remains a member of Seattle's roster, something that happened with the Blue Jays' Kevin Kiermaier earlier in July. France has produced a disappointing .223 average with eight home runs, 31 RBI and 28 runs scored over 88 games with Seattle so far this season. Tyler Locklear is expected to be called up from Triple-A Tacoma and will get full-time at-bats at first base, according to Jeff Passan of ESPN.com.

Ryan did not factor into the decision Sunday, allowing four runs on seven hits over six innings against the Brewers. He struck out six.

Ryan started strong, managing to avoid pitching from the stretch through four innings, with a third-inning two-out solo homer from Eric Haase representing the only batter to reach base against him. Ryan then ran into trouble in the fifth, allowing hits to four of the first five batters he faced with three runs crossing the plate. He managed to complete the sixth in line for the win, but a leaky bullpen prevented him from grabbing his seventh victory of the season. Ryan has now allowed nine runs through 11.1 innings over his last two starts, though his season stats remain impressive. Through 20 starts, Ryan has completed 120.2 innings with a 3.65 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 130 strikeouts. He's currently projected to next take the hill when the Twins travel to Detroit to take on the Tigers next weekend.

Malloy went 1-for-3 with a walk and a grand slam in Sunday's 5-4 loss to the Blue Jays.

Malloy provided all of his team's offense, taking Toronto starter Kevin Gausman deep in the fifth inning with the bases loaded. The rookie now has six home runs through 35 games as he continues to show good power potential. He's also been striking out roughly 33 percent of the time, though he encouragingly didn't have any strikeouts Sunday and drew his 14th walk of the season. If Malloy can continue to refine his approach at the plate, he could be primed for a strong finish to the year.

Montero (1-3) allowed five runs on eight hits across 5.1 innings to take the loss Sunday against the Blue Jays. He didn't walk anyone and struck out three.

Montero was hounded by Toronto leadoff hitter George Springer, who took him deep twice, once with a runner on. The righty has had some ups and downs so far in his rookie campaign. He allowed nine runs over 8.2 innings in his first two MLB starts, then followed that by allowing only two runs over 12.2 innings in his next two appearances. Montero has now allowed 10 runs across 10.1 innings in his last two starts. Based on prior results, the 24-year-old may be ready for another upswing, but fantasy managers would be wise to tread carefully due to his 5.97 ERA overall. Montero is penciled in to start again Friday against the Twins.

X-rays on Rodriguez's right ankle returned negative after he was removed from Sunday's 6-4 win over the Astros, Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times reports. He went 0-for-3 with a strikeout prior to exiting the contest.

Rodriguez crashed into the outfield wall while trying to run down a fly ball in the sixth inning and exited the contest immediately thereafter. In a positive turn of events, Rodriguez appears to have avoided a significant injury, with manager Scott Servais describing him as "day-to-day" with "a little bit of an ankle sprain." The 23-year-old has found his stride at the plate recently, batting .459 with four home runs and eight RBI over his last 12 contests. Fantasy managers may have dodged a major blow Sunday if his ankle injury does in fact prove to be little more than a day-to-day concern.

McGonigle was promoted to High-A West Michigan on Sunday, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

McGonigle produced a .323/.404/.456 slash line with three home runs, 34 RBI, 39 runs and 19 stolen bases over 226 at-bats in 59 games with Single-A Lakeland, and he'll now take the next step in his professional career. Fellow 19-year-old Max Clark was also promoted Sunday, and the two athletes will look to impress with West Michigan for the remainder of the year.

Clark was promoted to High-A West Michigan on Sunday, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Clark will take a step up to High-A after he produced a .279 average with six home runs, 56 RBI, 52 runs scored and 25 stolen bases over 276 at-bats in 72 games with Single-A Lakeland this season. The 19-year-old was selected third overall in the 2023 First-Year Player Draft, but unlike Paul Skenes, who went first overall, Clark will likely need to slowly work his way up the minor-league levels before making his major-league debut in the distant future.

Refsnyder was scratched from Sunday's lineup against the Dodgers as a result of shoulder soreness, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Refsnyder is dealing with some shoulder soreness after attempting to make a diving play in Saturday's 7-6 loss. Manager Alex Cora said Sunday that he expects Refsnyder to be ready to go for Monday's series opener on the road against the Rockies.

Blanco went 2-for-4 with an RBI and a stolen base in Sunday's 4-1 win over the White Sox.

Blanco collected an RBI single as part of a three-run eighth inning and later stole a base. Blanco is a bit of a one-trick pony, but it's a trick he does very well, as his 18 stolen bases are now tied with Jose Ramirez and Julio Rodriguez for the seventh most in the American League this season. Blanco has just one home run and five RBI in 84 at-bats this season.

Rodriguez exited Sunday's contest against the Astros with a right leg injury, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Rodriguez collided with the center field wall while trying to run down a fly ball from Yordan Alvarez with two outs in the top of the sixth inning, and he was ultimately removed from the contest. The 23-year-old was able to walk off with assistance from a trainer, which at least provides some optimism the issue isn't a serious one. Ty France replaced Rodriguez in the lineup while Victor Robles shifted over to center field.