MLB Player News

The Orioles designated Nunez for assignment Thursday.

Nunez was just acquired via trade from the Athletics in May, but the Orioles will now clear him off the 40-man roster to make room for a new trade acquisition in Kyle Nicolas. The 26-year-old Nunez has posted a 7.13 ERA and 21:19 K:BB across 17.2 frames in the minors this season.

The Orioles acquired Nicolas from the Reds on Thursday in exchange for cash considerations.

Nicolas had been designated for assignment and is now on the move to his third organization since March. The hard-throwing reliever has spent most of his time this season at Triple-A Louisville, where he held a 5.17 ERA and 20:17 K:BB over 15.2 innings. He will report to Triple-A Norfolk.

The Red Sox transferred Story (abdomen) to the 60-day injured list Thursday, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.

Story underwent surgery two weeks ago to repair a sports hernia. He had seemed to have a chance to make it back before missing 60-plus days, but now Story is ineligible for activation until after the All-Star break. Marcelo Mayer will continue to serve as Boston's primary shortstop while Story recovers.

Ortiz isn't expected to get promoted to the Nationals' big-league roster before at least the All-Star break, Spencer Nusbaum of The Athletic reports.

Acquired from the Rangers this offseason as part of the MacKenzie Gore trade, Ortiz is tearing up Triple-A right now, hitting safely in 10 straight games with a .381/.438/.952 slash line, seven homers and 23 RBI over that stretch. The Nationals could use some left-handed power on their bench, but they prefer to let the 24-year-old first baseman continue to get regular playing time rather than bringing him up in a reserve role.

The Red Sox optioned Samaniego to Triple-A Worcester on Thursday, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.

Samaniego has fared well with the Red Sox this season, posting a 2.66 ERA and 17:8 K:BB over 20.1 innings, but he's being sent out in order to clear a spot for the addition of Tommy Kahnle to the Boston bullpen. The left-handed Samaniego should get another chance with the big club later this summer.

Bassitt has flown back to Baltimore to have his injured back examined by team doctors, Andy Kostka of TheBanner.com reports.

Bassitt had to exit Wednesday's start against the Red Sox after just three innings due to lower-back tightness. He's tentatively scheduled to take the ball Monday versus the Mariners, but more will be known about Bassitt's status after he's looked at by the Orioles' medical personnel.

Benge went 1-for-5 with a run scored and a stolen base in Wednesday's win over the Mariners.

The rookie outfielder pulled off a successful double steal with Juan Soto in the fourth inning, with Benge scampering home when Jhonny Pereda tried to throw Soto out at second base. It was Benge's 10th stolen base of the season in 59 games, to go along with a .252/.317/.381 slash line, six homers, 24 RBI and 31 runs.

Dominguez (shoulder) will begin a rehab assignment Friday, Greg Joyce of the New York Post reports.

Dominguez will play rehab games Friday and Sunday, and he's expected to need a few more next week before rejoining the active roster. That could point to a return as soon as the weekend of June 12-14, though the Yankees could wait until the start of their next homestand June 16 before activating Dominguez, who is coming back from a left shoulder AC joint sprain.

Crow is slated to start Thursday's game against the Giants at American Family Field.

Crow will be awarded a second straight turn through the rotation after he took a no-decision in a four-inning start versus the Astros last Friday following his promotion from Triple-A Nashville. The 25-year-old righty has made three starts thus over three separate stints with Milwaukee, pitching to a 3.14 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 8:3 K:BB in 14.1 innings.

Ewing went 3-for-5 with a run scored and a stolen base in Wednesday's win over the Mariners.

The rookie center fielder produced the first three-hit performance of his brief MLB career. Ewing is showing flashes of his talent, but he's still adjusting to big-league pitching -- over the last 10 games he's slashing .256/.275/.282 with just one extra-base hit, a double, and a 1:13 BB:K.