MLB Player News

The Astros optioned Loperfido to Triple-A Sugar Land on Thursday, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Loperfido struck out during his lone at-bat after being called up from Triple-A on Tuesday, and he'll now head back to Sugar Land with Taylor Trammell returning from the paternity list.

The Astros reinstated Trammell from the paternity list Thursday, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

After spending a couple of days away from the team while welcoming a new addition to his family, Trammell will return for the final game of Houston's series against Kansas City. Joey Loperfido was sent down to Triple-A Sugar Land in a corresponding move.

The Nationals released Mills on Thursday.

Mills was claimed off waivers by the Nationals in August but never wound up pitching for them. The 31-year-old had been on the 7-day injured list at Triple-A Rochester since mid-August with an undisclosed injury, and it's unclear what his current health status is.

The Nationals activated Gray (elbow) from the 60-day injured list Thursday, Kyle Williams of TheBanner.com reports.

Gray has not pitched in the big leagues since April 2024, as he was initially rehabbing from Tommy John surgery, and more recently, a flexor strain. The righty was unscored upon in his final eight rehab appearances, though he struck out only four batters in 8.1 frames over that stretch. Gray could eventually get another opportunity in the Nationals' rotation, but he'll be deployed as a reliever down the stretch of this season.

Rafaela (quadriceps) is with Triple-A Worcester on Thursday and will do some hitting off their Trajekt machine, Tommy Cassell of the Worcester Telegram & Gazette reports.

It's unclear what the next steps for Rafaela will be, but he could play in some rehab games for Worcester before rejoining Boston's active roster. The center fielder has not played in more than two weeks as he works his way back from a right quadriceps strain.

Bradfield will be held out of the lineup at Triple-A Norfolk on Thursday due to right adductor tightness, Matt Weyrich of The Baltimore Sun reports.

He's being considered day-to-day, but at this stage of the season there's a good chance the injury ends Bradfield's season. If that's the case, he'll finish with a .265/.350/.353 batting line, three home runs and 33 stolen bases over 85 games with Norfolk.

Amador is absent from the lineup for Thursday's game versus the Padres.

Amador has been an everyday player for the Rockies lately, but he will exit the lineup for Thursday's series finale. Troy Johnston is getting a turn in the designated-hitter slot for the Rockies.

Tovar is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Padres.

Tovar will hit the bench for the third time in five games while the Rockies hand Cole Carrigg a start at shortstop. Though he's maintained a .769 OPS so far in September, Tovar is slashing just .215/.262/.338 with 11 home runs and seven stolen bases over 479 plate appearances on the season.

Goodman (thumb) is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Padres.

The Rockies will keep Goodman on the bench for a third straight game while he manages a sore right thumb, though the All-Star backstop is progressing in his recovery, per MLB.com. In Goodman's stead, Brett Sullivan will handle the catching duties Thursday.

Castro (heel/knee) said Wednesday that he will miss the remainder of the 2026 season, MLB.com reports.

Castro has been on the injured list since Sept. 5 due to left heel plantar fasciitis and right knee soreness, and rather than attempting to ramp back up with the hope of playing in the final week and a half of the season, he's instead elected to shut himself down. After joining the Rockies on a two-year deal over the winter, the 29-year-old slashed .260/.331/.417 with 15 home runs, 10 stolen bases, 65 runs and 56 RBI in 120 games during his first season in Colorado.