MLB Player News

Ruiz (wrist) started in center field and played nine innings in the ACL Athletics' extra-inning loss to the ACL Brewers on Tuesday, going 0-for-4 with three strikeouts.

While Ruiz's hot streak at the plate during his rehab assignment was ironically snapped against a much lower caliber of competition than he normally faces, the fact the outfielder played a full game's worth of innings on defense is the main takeaway. After logging 21 plate appearances over five games down on the farm, Ruiz may be deemed ready for activation ahead of the Athletics' game of the second half Friday against the Angels.

Toro (hamstring) went 2-for-4 with a grand slam in the ACL Athletics' win over the ACL Angels on Wednesday.

The recovering veteran also logged a full workload at second base in the seven-inning contest, which is an encouraging development in his second rehab game. The bases-loaded blast was a bonus against a much lower caliber of competition than Toro normally faces, and it's likely he's bumped up to a higher affiliate as soon as post-All-Star-break play resumes Friday.

The Athletics optioned Alvarez to Triple-A Las Vegas on Wednesday.

The 30-year-old received his first big-league call-up June 22 and went on to appear in seven games with the Athletics prior to the All-Star break, batting .261 with a stolen base, six runs and one RBI. The utility player will get the chance to see more consistent playing time as he heads back to Las Vegas. The Athletics will announce a replacement for Alvarez on the 26-man active roster shortly before their next game Friday versus the Angels.

The White Sox designated Maldonado for assignment Wednesday, Ken Rosenthal and Chandler Rome of The Athletic report.

After slashing .119/.174/.230 across 147 plate appearances during what has been the worst season of his career at the plate, Maldonado has now officially lost his roster spot with the White Sox. Given his poor performance, the 37-year-old backstop will most likely pass through waivers unclaimed, at which point he would have the option to elect free agency.

The White Sox optioned Sosa to Triple-A Charlotte on Wednesday, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Sosa had a stretch recently with five straight multi-hit games, but he finished the first half going just 2-for-22 across his last six contests and has managed just a .624 OPS on the season. Nick Senzel will take Sosa's spot on the roster and could also replace him as the White Sox's everyday third baseman.

The White Sox designated Mendick for assignment Wednesday.

Mendick will give up his spot on the 40-man roster and 26-man active roster to third baseman Nick Senzel, whom the White Sox signed to a one-year contract Wednesday. While operating largely as a short-side platoon player in the infield for the White Sox this season, Mendick slashed .197/.243/.318 with three home runs and six stolen bases over 141 plate appearances.

Cannon is scheduled to start Saturday's game against the Royals in Kansas City, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

In his final appearance before the All-Star break last Friday versus the Pirates, Cannon worked out of the bullpen as a piggyback pitcher behind starter Garrett Crochet, tossing six innings while allowing four earned runs. Cannon will now take back a rotation spot in the White Sox's opening series of the second half, as he'll be picking up his ninth start of the season Friday. The White Sox have already confirmed Cannon for another start for next Thursday in Texas, but it's unclear if he'll stick around in the rotation thereafter.

The Twins activated Weiss (shoulder) from the 60-day injured list Wednesday and outrighted him to Triple-A St. Paul, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

Weiss has been out all season with a teres major strain in his right shoulder. He's healthy now, after having allowed six runs with an 8:3 K:BB over eight innings during his rehab assignment, which included stops at three affiliates. The Twins didn't have room on Weiss from the 40-man roster, but he'll remain in the organization as bullpen depth at St. Paul.

Dubin has made his last three appearances out of the Houston bullpen, striking out three while allowing one earned run on four hits and one walk across 2.2 innings.

Dubin made 3.1- and 2.2-inning starts on June 30 and July 5, respectively, but he was moved back to the bullpen after the Astros got Jake Bloss back from the injured list shortly before the All-Star break to fill out the final spot in their rotation. Though he notched a three-inning save May 16, Dubin has otherwise operated in a low-leverage role out of the bullpen this season, as he hasn't recorded any holds over his 17 relief appearances.

Mahle (elbow) struck out five and allowed one hit and one walk over 2.2 scoreless innings during his rehab start Monday in the rookie-level Arizona Complex League.

Mahle had made his previous two rehab starts at Double-A Frisco, but he shifted his assignment to the ACL this week while all of the Rangers' full-season affiliates are off due to the All-Star break. The right-hander has looked strong thus far in his first three minor-league outings coming back from his May 2023 Tommy John surgery. He has yet to let in a run over 6.2 innings and built his pitch count up to 45 on Monday. Mahle will likely shift his assignment back to a higher-level affiliate over the weekend and will presumably need at least two or three more minor-league outings to get fully stretched out before he becomes a realistic option for the Rangers' rotation.