MLB Player News

The Phillies optioned Backhus to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Friday.

He's clearing off the active roster to make space for waiver claim Jose Urquidy. Backhus had been recalled earlier this week and did not make an appearance during his most recent stint in the majors.

Mitchell (neck) will start in center field and bat seventh in Friday's game against the Orioles.

Mitchell didn't start the last two days due to a neck issue. However, he appeared in Thursday's game versus the Pirates off the bench and is back in the lineup for Friday's series opener in Baltimore.

The Cardinals recalled Prieto from Triple-A Memphis on Friday.

He's grabbing the roster spot vacated by the injured Joshua Baez (oblique). Prieto is just 2-for-32 in the majors this season and is unlikely to play much down the stretch.

The Cardinals placed Baez on the 10-day injured list Friday with a left oblique strain.

Baez was injured during Wednesday's game against the Giants, and subsequent testing revealed the strain. He will be eligible to return for the final game of the regular season, but the injury will almost surely end his campaign. It's an unfortunate conclusion to Baez's rookie season after he flashed both the good (seven home runs, .510 slugging percentage) and bad (30.6 percent strikeout rate) of his profile during his time in the majors.

The Cubs optioned Murray to Triple-A Iowa on Friday, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Murray was called up on Sept. 1 but played sparingly, making just two starts. He's clearing space on the active roster for the return of Dansby Swanson (oblique) from the 10-day injured list.

The Cubs activated Swanson (oblique) from the 10-day injured list Friday, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

He had been sidelined since mid-August with a Grade 2 left oblique strain. Swanson did not go out on a rehab assignment, but he participated in a simulated game at Wrigley Field earlier this week to clear the path for his return. He will take back over at shortstop for the Cubs, with Nico Hoerner returning to second base.

The Nationals signed Cavalli to a four-year contract extension Friday that includes a club option for 2031.

Per Spencer Nusbaum of The Athletic, the deal is worth $47 million guaranteed and $70 million if the option is picked up. Cavalli had been slated to become a free agent following the 2029 season, but his new deal will buy out at least one and perhaps two years of free agency. The 28-year-old has had a breakout 2026 campaign, collecting a 3.12 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 194:48 K:BB over 164.2 innings covering 31 starts.

The Brewers recalled Gordon from Triple-A Nashville on Friday.

The Brewers needed a fresh relief arm after their bullpen was needed for 6.1 innings in Thursday's loss to the Pirates. Gordon will be on five days' rest after throwing 5.2 innings and 97 pitches in a start for Nashville last Saturday, so he'll be available for plenty of length, if needed.

The Brewers optioned Stallings to Triple-A Nashville on Friday.

Stallings fanned six over three shutout innings in Thursday's loss to the Pirates. Because he wouldn't have been available to pitch for at least a day or two, the Brewers are replacing him on the roster with a fresh bullpen arm.

Mangum is not in the lineup for Friday's game against the Royals.

He's now been out of the lineup for two straight contests after starting each of the six games prior to that. Ronny Simon will play right field for the Pirates in the series opener.