MLB Player News

The Pirates designated McKinney for assignment Friday.

The 30-year-old was added to Pittsburgh's roster Aug. 19 but has been let go after he posted a .526 OPS in 10 games. McKinney could elect to become a free agent if he passes through waivers unclaimed.

Kennedy was recalled from Triple-A Lehigh Valley.

The 25-year-old will provide some depth at third base with Alec Bohm (hand) headed to the injured list. Kennedy has an .875 OPS in 375 at-bats at Triple-A this season and will now have the chance to make his Phillies debut.

Bart was activated from the 10-day injured list ahead of Friday's game against the Nationals.

Bart returns in the minimum time from a left hamstring strain. He's had a post-hype breakout this year, slashing .272/.347/.497 with 12 homers in 63 games for the Pirates.

The Phillies placed Bohm (hand) on the 10-day injured list Friday, retroactive to Sept. 3, due to a left hand strain.

The 28-year-old hasn't seen the field since Aug. 29 due to the injury, and the Phillies finally opted to move him to the injured list after six straight absences. Bohm will be eligible to be reinstated Sept. 13, though it's unclear if he's expected to be healthy by that point. Buddy Kennedy was called up from Triple-A Lehigh Valley in a corresponding move, but it'll likely be a combination of Edmundo Sosa and Kody Clemens that fills in at third base for Philadelphia.

Caba is hitting .180 with a .308 on-base percentage, zero home runs, 13 steals and as many walks (15) as strikeouts in 24 games for Single-A Clearwater.

Given that Caba logged a .427 OBP, 15.1 percent strikeout rate and 37 steals in 52 Florida Complex League games while showcasing plus defense at shortstop prior to his promotion to Single-A, this season has still been a positive one for the the 18-year-old switch hitter. Caba's glove will likely get him to the big leagues, where his plus speed could make him relevant in fantasy if he gets enough playing time. It's still to be determined how much of an impact the 5-foot-9 shortstop will make at the plate.

Merrifield (head) is starting at second base and batting second Friday against the Blue Jays.

The 35-year-old sat out the past two games after being struck in the head by a pitch Tuesday, but he's back in action for Friday's series opener versus Toronto. Merrifield has been fairly productive since latching on with Atlanta and has a .248/.359/.349 slash line with a homer and five stolen bases in 33 games.

Suarez (8-3) took the loss and blew a save against the Tigers on Thursday, allowing four runs on two hits and two walks while striking out one batter over two-thirds of an inning.

Suarez entered Thursday having successfully converted eight straight save chances, but he didn't have his best stuff against Detroit. The right-hander had a three-run lead to work with in the top of the ninth and found himself in quick trouble, giving up a leadoff single followed by a walk. Suarez retired Spencer Torkelson on a popup but then issued another walk to load the bases. It looked like the closer might get out of the jam when he fanned Kerry Carpenter for the second out, but Parker Meadows followed with a grand slam on a 3-2 fastball to push the Tigers into the lead. Suarez has been great this year with 31 saves in 35 opportunities, but he has faded a bit lately, posting a 6.23 ERA and 1.69 WHIP over his last 13 innings while giving up at least one earned run in six of 14 appearances since Aug. 3. If San Diego were to consider moving Suarez out of the closer role, Tanner Scott -- who has 20 saves (mostly with Miami) and a 1.44 ERA on the campaign -- would be a very capable fill-in.

Tait is slashing .272/.313/.466 with five home runs in 27 games since getting promoted to Single-A Clearwater.

Tait's numbers are fantastic, but they are even more impressive when factoring in his age -- he turned 18 on Aug. 27. The lefty-hitting backstop slashed .321/.377/.500 with six homers and five steals in the Florida Complex League before getting promoted, and he has a chance to shoot up prospect lists, especially real-life rankings, in the coming years.

The Nationals designated Blankenhorn for assignment Friday.

The 28-year-old was optioned to Triple-A Rochester on Aug. 20 and has now lost his place on the 40-man roster. Blankenhorn has an .821 OPS in 106 games with Rochester this season and could remain with the affiliate if he passes through waivers unclaimed.

The Nationals claimed Rucker off waivers Friday and optioned him to Triple-A Rochester.

The right-hander was designated for assignment by the Phillies on Wednesday, and he'll stick in the NL East after being claimed off waivers. Rucker hasn't pitched in the majors this season and has struggled at the Triple-A level with a 7.36 ERA across 22 innings, though he was a solid bullpen piece for the Cubs in 2022 with a 3.95 ERA in 41 appearances.