MLB Player News

The Guardians activated Ramirez (personal) from the paternity list Tuesday.

Ramirez missed the final two games of the series in Toronto over the weekend as he welcomed a new addition to the family. He's now back for the start of the Guardians' three-game set versus the Mariners, which kicks off Tuesday night.

Villalobos signed a minor-league contract with the Tigers on Monday.

Villalobos made his MLB debut earlier this season with the Marlins, appearing in three games as a reliever and covering 4.1 innings before Miami optioned him back to the minors May 11. He was outrighted off the 40-man roster later that month and elected to become a free agent upon clearing waivers. Villalobos didn't take long to find a new opportunity with the Tigers, who assigned him to the rookie-level Florida Complex League after signing him. Before joining his new organization, Villalobos hadn't pitched since May 24, so he likely just needs some time to get ramped back up before eventually settling into a relief role with Detroit's Triple-A affiliate in Toledo.

Astros manager Joe Espada said Tuesday that Verlander's (neck) progress has been "slower than we expected," Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Verlander was scratched of his most recently scheduled start this past weekend against the Tigers because of neck discomfort. The club had been hoping he would be ready to start Thursday versus the White Sox, and while Espada didn't seem to officially rule Verlander out for the series finale in Chicago, he now appears likely to be pushed back again. Houston could have Spencer Arrighetti and Ronel Blanco both move up a day to start on Thursday and Friday, respectively, which would keep both pitchers on their typical four days' rest. The arrangement would also give Verlander a couple extra days to heal up if the team thinks he could take the ball Saturday versus the Orioles. A stint on the injured list for Verlander also can't be ruled out.

Foster (elbow) began a rehab assignment Monday in the rookie-level Arizona Complex League, striking out two over a scoreless inning.

Foster is working his way back from April 2023 Tommy John surgery, so he'll likely need the full 30-day rehab window to get fully ramped up. The right-hander opened his rehab assignment Monday on a positive note and is expected to make at least a few more appearances in the ACL before eventually moving up to one of the White Sox's higher-level affiliates. During his last healthy season in 2022, Foster made 48 appearances out of the White Sox bullpen and turned in a 4.40 ERA and 1.33 WHIP over 45 innings.

The Royals recalled Hernandez from Triple-A Omaha on Tuesday.

The right-hander was optioned to Triple-A in late May but will now rejoin the MLB club. Hernandez has made just four big-league appearances this season and has allowed one earned run with one strikeout and three walks over 2.2 innings.

The Royals optioned Waters to Triple-A Omaha on Tuesday.

Waters' first stint in the big leagues this season lasted just a week and he went 1-for-8 at the plate, going hitless in both of his starts. Reliever Carlos Hernandez is absorbing Waters' roster spot.

The Mariners designated Zavala for assignment Tuesday.

Zavala has played in just 18 games this season and has a .154/.214/.282 slash line and 37.2 percent strikeout rate in 43 plate appearances. The Mariners already have Cal Raleigh and Mitch Garver on the big-league roster, so the club will roll with two catchers going forward.

The Mariners activated France (heel) from the 10-day injured list Tuesday.

France missed the minimum 10 days with a right heel fracture and will skip a rehab assignment, going right back onto the Mariners' 26-man active roster. Tyler Locklear has been filling in at first base for France and remains on the roster, but France should go back to seeing the bulk of the starts at first base for Seattle.

Wacha (foot) struck out six and gave up two hits and no walks over four scoreless innings in his rehab start Monday with the Royals' rookie-level Arizona Complex League affiliate.

Royals manager Matt Quatraro said prior to the outing that Wacha might need just the one rehab start before returning from the 15-day injured list and rejoining the major-league rotation this weekend against the Rangers. Given how well he pitched, Wacha looks to be a good bet to be activated this weekend, either on Saturday or Sunday. He's been sidelined since early June with a non-displaced left foot fracture.

Martin (elbow) began a rehab assignment with the White Sox's rookie-level Arizona Complex League affiliate Friday, allowing one run with a 5:1 K:BB over two innings.

Martin had Tommy John surgery last May and is currently on Triple-A Charlotte's 60-day injured list. He will eventually move up to Charlotte once the White Sox decide he's fully stretched back out and ready to assume a spot in the Triple-A rotation. Martin possesses a spot on the 40-man roster and could be an option to join the major-league club at some point after the All-Star break.