MLB Player News

Diaz drew a start at third base in Thursday's loss to the Royals, going 1-for-2 before being lifted for a pinch hitter in the seventh inning.

The veteran drew only his fifth start of June and delivered his third hit of the season across 24 plate appearances. Diaz began the month logging what was a third straight start at the time, but his sparse playing time since and advanced age may imply he's not much longer for the roster of an Athletics team that will increasingly focus on developing young players as the remainder of the season unfolds.

Nittoli (0-1) took the loss against the Royals on Thursday, allowing an earned run on a solo home run and recording two strikeouts over two innings.

Nittoli paid dearly for his one mistake, a tie-breaking solo home run surrendered to Bobby Witt in the eighth inning. The Athletics would prove incapable of erasing the one-run deficit in the final two frames, saddling Nittoli with his first major-league loss in 13 career outings. Despite the stumble Thursday, Nittoli has been a solid bullpen piece for manager Mark Kotsay since being summoned from Triple-A Las Vegas in early June, posting a 2.25 ERA across eight innings over seven appearances.

Toro (shoulder) entered Thursday's loss to the Royals as a pinch hitter in the bottom of the seventh inning and remained in the game at third base, recording a double in his only plate appearance.

Toro was out of the starting nine for the third straight game due to shoulder soreness, but his ability to make some hard contact and then stay in the game on defense implies he may be ready to return to the lineup Friday. The veteran's pinch-hit, two-out two-bagger Thursday had the potential to generate Toro's 25th RBI of the campaign and snap a 2-2 tie, but Kyle McCann was thrown out at the plate on the play to end the frame.

Kepler said after being removed from Thursday's game against the Rays because of neck spasms that he expects to avoid the injured list, Bobby Nightengale of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune reports.

Kepler revealed that he actually felt his neck spasming in the on-deck circle before his first plate appearance and made a decision not to swing the bat, which is why he attempted to bunt twice. He was pulled from the game following a headfirst slide into first base while trying to beat out a bunt. While it's unclear whether Kepler will be ready to play Friday in Oakland, he can be considered day-to-day.

Moore went 1-for-3 with with a two-run home run, a walk and a stolen base in a loss to the Guardians on Thursday.

Moore got the Mariners' night started on the right foot with his first-inning 429-foot shot to left field. The round tripper was Moore's second in the last three games, following a 21-game homer drought. Moore has been particularly active on the basepaths of late, recording four steals in his last five contests to push his season total to 13.

The Twins recalled Funderburk from Triple-A St. Paul on Friday.

He'll take the roster spot vacated by Jay Jackson, who has been designated for assignment. Funderburk has struck out 14 and allowed just one run over eight innings with St. Paul since being optioned last month.

The Royals optioned Nola to Triple-A Omaha on Friday.

The 34-year-old was called up by Kansas City last weekend but will lose his place on the 26-man roster as Hunter Renfroe (toe) returns from the injured list. Nola didn't see game action while up with the Royals.

The Royals reinstated Renfroe (toe) from the 15-day injured list Friday.

The 32-year-old resumed taking swings over the weekend and is back on the active roster after spending the 10-day minimum on the shelf with a bruised toe. Renfroe had a hot start to June prior to the injury as he went 7-for-18 with two doubles, two homers and six RBI in six games.

The Astros will recall Loperfido from Triple-A Sugar Land prior to Friday's game against the Orioles, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

It's not yet clear what the corresponding roster move will be. Loperfido has slashed .272/.365/.568 with 13 home runs and nine stolen bases this season with Sugar Land and has hit .333/.381/.436 with one homer and one steal in 15 games with the Astros. Contact has been an issue at both spots, as he had a 28 percent strikeout rate at Sugar Land and a 39.5 percent strikeout rate in Houston. His power and speed potential is real, however. Loperfido played only center field during his most recent stint in the minors, so while he does have some experience at first base, the Astros seem to still be viewing him mostly as an option in the outfield.

The Blue Jays reinstated Rodriguez (back) from the 15-day injured list to start Friday against the Guardians.

The right-hander has been on the shelf since late April due to thoracic spine inflammation, but he'll re-enter Toronto's rotation for Friday's series opener in Cleveland. Rodriguez built up to 79 pitches in his final rehab outing and should be able to handle a full workload. However, the Blue Jays were handling the 27-year-old carefully prior to the injury, so it's possible Rodriguez is deployed in tandem with Bowden Francis, who has been handling a bulk-relief role.