MLB Player News

The Giants recalled Wisely from Triple-A Sacramento on Friday, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

The Giants elected to outright Thairo Estrada to Triple-A after he cleared waivers Friday, so Wisely will now come up from the minors to replenish San Francisco's infield depth. The 25-year-old has slashed .249/.285/.363 with 24 RBI across 215 plate appearances in the majors this year, though he's gone 10-for-37 with two homers and seven RBI since returning to Sacramento on Aug. 19. He could form a platoon at second base with the righty-hitting Casey Schmitt.

The Giants outrighted Estrada to Triple-A Sacramento on Friday, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Estrada was placed on waivers Wednesday but went unclaimed. The infielder has struggled in 2024, logging a .590 OPS in 381 plate appearances with a .126 ISO. Brett Wisely was recalled from Sacramento to replace Estrada on the active roster.

The Rockies optioned Davis to Triple-A Albuquerque on Friday.

Since coming up from Triple-A in late July, Davis has posted a 5.19 ERA and 1.90 WHIP alongside a 13:7 K:BB through 17.1 innings. He'll now head back to the minors in order to get back on track, and the Rockies will promote Seth Halvorsen from Albuquerque to fill the open bullpen spot.

Ashcraft (forearm) was reinstated from the 7-day injured list at Triple-A Indianapolis, Andrew Destin of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Ashcraft has been on the Triple-A IL since July 17 with lateral forearm tightness, but he threw a live batting practice earlier this week and has now been cleared to return. The 24-year-old has a combined 2.88 ERA in 72 innings across Double-A and Triple-A.

Manager Derek Shelton said Friday that Bednar will be temporarily removed from the closer role and pitch in lower-leverage situations, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.

The decision to relieve Bednar of his duties as closer comes two days after he allowed five earned runs on three hits and two walks in just two-thirds of an inning during Wednesday's loss to the Cubs. The Pirates will now use a closer-by-committee approach, making Aroldis Chapman and Jalen Beeks likely candidates to see increased opportunities in the ninth inning.

The Cubs claimed Armstrong off waivers Friday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Armstrong was acquired by the Cardinals from the Rays in late July as part of the trade package for Dylan Carlson. Armstrong posted a 2.84 ERA and 1.03 WHIP over 12.2 innings with St. Louis, but he was designated for assignment Tuesday. He'll stay in the NL Central and give the Cubs much-needed bullpen depth after Julian Merryweather was placed on the 15-day injured list Tuesday due to right knee tendinitis.

Lopez (groin) didn't experience any setbacks following his bullpen session Friday, Kyle Williams of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Lopez has been dealing with a groin injury, and his last outing came against the Marlins on Aug. 23, when he struck out two batters in one scoreless inning. The 31-year-old reliever could pitch during this weekend's series against the Nationals. In 20 games since joining the Cubs in mid-June, Lopez has recorded two saves and two holds with a 0.79 ERA and 1.37 WHIP across 22.2 innings.

Guillorme is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Dodgers.

As per usual, Guillorme will take a seat against a left-handed pitcher (Clayton Kershaw). Kevin Newman will bat eighth and play second base Friday.

Wicks (oblique) was scratched from Friday's rehab start with Triple-A Iowa, and Cubs manager Craig Counsell said that the 24-year-old southpaw could be activated from the 60-day injured list to start this weekend against the Nationals, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Wicks has been sidelined since mid-June due to a Grade 2 right oblique strain. He began his rehab assignment in early August, and in his last outing Sunday, he tossed 4.2 scoreless innings while striking out four batters and allowing three hits and one walk. Javier Assad and Jameson Taillon are currently penciled in as the Cubs' starters for Saturday and Sunday respectively, but one of the two could be bumped back in the schedule to Monday against the Pirates if the Cubs elect to activate Wicks this weekend.

Pederson is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Dodgers.

Pederson will dodge a matchup with southpaw Clayton Kershaw on Friday, giving way to Randal Grichuk at DH. Pederson has a .947 OPS with 21 home runs this season.