MLB Player News

The Royals optioned Cuas to Triple-A Omaha on Friday.

Cuas was recalled at the beginning of the month and appeared in five games out of the bullpen for Kansas City, allowing two runs on eight hits and two walks with nine strikeouts across 6.1 innings. With Cuas headed back to Omaha, the Royals recalled Eli Morgan in a corresponding move.

Henderson (elbow) has been cleared to begin a rehab assignment in the rookie-level Florida Complex League.

Henderson has been sidelined all season after coming into spring training with a flexor strain. He's progressed enough in his rehab to test things out in games and should eventually join the rotation at Triple-A Memphis once he's deemed ready. Henderson has excelled in his two seasons in the minors, most recently holding a 2.59 ERA and 134:51 K:BB over 132 innings covering 25 starts with Double-A Springfield in 2025.

The Royals recalled Morgan from Triple-A Omaha on Friday.

Morgan has pitched in 14 games out of the bullpen for Kansas City this season, registering a 5.19 ERA, 1.79 WHIP and 15:8 K:BB across 17.1 innings. He'll swap places with Jose Cuas, who was optioned to Omaha in a corresponding move.

The Royals activated Pasquantino (hand) from the 10-day injured list Friday.

Pasquantino suffered a broken right hamate bone last month and missed just 23 games with the injury. He's returning in just under four weeks, beating the typical recovery timeline significantly as Pasquantino was initially expected to be sidelined through the All-Star break. He appeared in three games with Triple-A Omaha on a rehab assignment, going 4-for-11 with three walks. At the time of his injury, Pasquantino had slashed an impressive .309/.397/.436 over his previous 14 games. He'll look to recapture that form during a weekend series against the Orioles.

The Reds activated Hayes (back) from the 10-day injured list Friday, Charlie Goldsmith of Fox 19 Now Cincinnati reports.

Hayes looked sharp at the plate on his rehab assignment, going 7-for-12 with one home run in three games with Triple-A Louisville. He slashed an ugly .142/.195/.225 in 44 contests with the Reds before going down in late May with a bulging disc in his back. Hayes will get some starts at third base on days Sal Stewart plays another position, but it's uncertain how often the veteran infielder will ultimately get into the lineup.

The Reds placed McLain on the 10-day injured list with a strained calf, Charlie Goldsmith of Fox 19 Now Cincinnati reports.

McLain was unavailable Thursday because of the injury and ultimately wasn't able to avoid a trip to the injured list. The 26-year-old has seen his role reduced, as McLain had started only five of the Reds' last 12 games before his placement on the IL. Calf strains typically result in longer than 10-day absences, but it's unclear how severe McLain's strain is.

Wells went 1-for-4 with a solo home run, an additional run and a walk in a 12-4 win over Tampa Bay on Thursday.

Wells got in on a big day for New York's offense when he took Cam Booser deep to right field in the fourth inning. It was only the fifth homer of the campaign by the backstop, and his first since May 22. Even with the long ball, Wells has accumulated a putrid .314 OPS with a 1:14 BB:K across 16 games since his June 21 return from an IL stint. He's in the midst of a career-worst season, slashing .151/.246/.242 with a 27.8 percent strikeout rate and just 11 RBI through 212 plate appearances.

Ritchie will start Sunday's game in St. Louis, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

He's taking over the rotation spot vacated by Hurston Waldrep, who was optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett. Ritchie has made seven starts and three relief outings with the big club this season, turning in a 4.60 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 42:28 K:BB over 45 innings. Ritchie hasn't handled a normal starter's workload for nearly two weeks and threw 35 pitches in relief Thursday, so he'll likely be on a limited pitch count Sunday.

Atlanta activated Kinley from the paternity leave list Friday.

After being away for a few days while welcoming a new addition to the family, Kinley is back in the bullpen for the team's weekend series in St. Louis. Kinley holds a 3.62 ERA and 33:12 K:BB over 32.1 frames this season.

Atlanta optioned Waldrep to Triple-A Gwinnett on Friday.

Waldrep looked rusty in two starts and one relief appearance during his first stint with the big club this season, posting an 8.44 ERA, 2.16 WHIP and 9:10 K:BB over 10.2 innings. The young right-hander could eventually get another chance in the Atlanta rotation after the All-Star break, but he'll try to sharpen up at Gwinnett first. JR Ritchie is entering the rotation in Waldrep's place.