MLB Player News

The Blue Jays optioned Pinango to Triple-A Buffalo on Saturday.

Pinango impressed during his first stint in the majors, going 11-for-26 (.423) with four RBI and a run scored in 10 games. Despite his strong performance, he'll be pushed off the active roster by Addison Barger's (ankles) return from the injured list. If Toronto's outfield depth is tested again later in the year, Pinango will be one of the top candidates to rejoin the big club.

The Blue Jays reinstated Barger (ankle) from the injured list Saturday.

Barger has been sidelined by ankle issues since early April, but he's been playing in minor-league rehab games since Sunday. The 26-year-old went 2-for-9 with a pair of homers and three RBI during his three-game assignment and will now reclaim his role as Toronto's primary right fielder. Yohendrick Pinango was optioned to Triple-A Buffalo in a corresponding move.

Kjerstad (hamstring) will begin a rehab assignment at Double-A Chesapeake on Saturday, Jacob Calvin Meyer of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Kjerstad has been on the shelf all season due to a hamstring strain he suffered late in spring training. Due to the extensive time he's missed, the 27-year-old could be in line for a lengthy rehab assignment, and there's a real chance that he'll be optioned to Triple-A Norfolk upon his activation from the 10-day injured list.

The Guardians optioned Naylor to Triple-A Columbus on Saturday, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.

Naylor has slashed just .143/.200/.238 through 90 plate appearances this season, so Cleveland will send him back down to the minors to get him back on track. The Guardians traded for Patrick Bailey to replace Naylor on the active roster and provide defensive help at catcher. Austin Hedges is also likely to continue making starts behind the plate, given Bailey's recent offensive struggles.

The Guardians acquired Bailey from the Giants on Saturday in exchange for left-hander Matt Wilkinson and the 29th pick in the 2026 First-Year Player Draft, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Bailey was starting to see his playing time with the Giants trend down after beginning the season with just a .396 OPS through 89 plate appearances. The Guardians have also been fighting to get consistent production out of the catcher spot, as Bo Naylor has struggled to the tune of a .438 OPS over his first 28 games and will now head down to Triple-A following Cleveland's acquisition of Bailey. Although he hasn't produced much at the plate, Bailey's elite defense should allow him to at least work in a timeshare behind the dish with Austin Hedges.

Abreu went 1-for-2 with two walks and a solo home run in Friday's 2-0 win over the Rays.

Abreu's third-inning home run was all the Red Sox needed in a pitcher's duel at Fenway Park. It was the second homer in the last four games and sixth of the season for Abreu, who has knocked in runs in five of the last seven contests. He's been a steady producer since Opening Day and is slashing .303/.387/.486 over 163 plate appearances.

Slaten (oblique) is expected to be activated from the 15-day injured list Saturday or Sunday, MLB.com reports.

Slaten made two strong rehab appearances for Triple-A Worcester and was seemingly available to be activated Friday after Boston optioned Jake Bennett following his start Thursday. Instead, the team recalled Jack Anderson for Friday's game against the Rays. "I think you'll see Slaten this weekend at some point active," interim manager Chad Tracy told Christopher Smith of MassLive.com before Friday's game. The manager believed that Anderson could provide length if needed. Slaten, who hasn't pitched since April 8, recently threw for the WooSox on Wednesday.

Nimmo started in right field and went 0-for-3 in Friday's 7-1 loss to the Cubs.

Nimmo was back defending in the outfield after a hamstring issue cost him a couple of games and limited him to designated hitter in three others. He continues to be a bright light in the Rangers' lineup and is slashing .291/.373/.440 with four home runs, 12 RBI, one steal and 17 runs over 36 games, all as the team's leadoff batter.

Alonso went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Friday's 4-3 loss to the A's.

The slugging first baseman smashed a Jacob Lopez changeup the other way in the fourth inning to open the scoring. Alonso's blast extended his hitting streak to eight games, a stretch in which he's batting .333 (11-for-33) with four doubles, four homers, 10 RBI and 11 runs to account for half his long balls on the season.

Gibson gave up one run on three hits and one walk over two innings of relief in Friday's 4-3 loss to the A's. He struck out two.

Called back up from Triple-A Norfolk earlier in the day, Gibson was immediately deployed by manager Craig Albernaz in a long-relief role. It's a vote of confidence in Brandon Young's ability to hold down a spot in the rotation as injuries pile up on Baltimore's staff, but Gibson also hasn't done much to push for a bigger role. The 23-year-old right-hander has a 4.01 ERA, 1.65 WHIP and 25:12 K:BB over 24.2 innings for Norfolk, and in two big-league appearances (one start) he's managed a 5.40 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 4:3 K:BB in 6.2 frames.