MLB Player News

The Pirates released Fletcher on Wednesday, Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Fletcher slashed .313/.387/.418 with five RBI and 15 runs scored in 21 games after signing a minor-league deal with Pittsburgh in mid-July. He'll now exercise an opt-out clause and test his value in the open market, though he may have to settle for another minor-league contract.

Williams is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Royals.

Though shortstop Jacob Wilson (shoulder) remains out of the lineup, Williams will join him on the bench after picking up starts in the middle infield in each of the Athletics' previous four contests. Three of those starts came against lefties, so even if Wilson requires a stint on the injured list, Williams may be in store for a short-side platoon role.

Stock didn't factor into the decision in Wednesday's 4-2 win over the Padres, allowing one run on two hits and three walks over 4.1 innings. He struck out six.

While the 36-year-old right-hander was stingy, he was also inefficient, needing 83 pitches (50 strikes) to record just 13 outs. Stock has failed to complete five frames in three straight starts, walking at least three batters in each outing. Since joining the Mets' rotation at the beginning of August, he's managed a 5.40 ERA, 1.68 WHIP and 19:11 K:BB over 16.2 innings. With none of the team's top pitching prospects throwing well in the upper minors, however, Stock's spot is likely more secure than those ratios would suggest. He'll try to last long enough to qualify for a win in his next outing, which lines up to come at home next week against the Brewers.

White will start at first base and bat fifth in Wednesday's game against the Royals.

From a playing-time perspective, White appears to be an early beneficiary of Tyler Soderstrom's (hip) recent move to the injured list. White will pick up a fifth consecutive start Wednesday and will be taking a six-game hitting streak into the contest. The rookie corner infielder is slashing .264/.291/.377 with two home runs, six runs and four RBI through his first 15 games of August.

Taylor earned the save in Wednesday's 3-0 win over the Cubs, walking one while striking out two in a scoreless ninth inning.

It was another impressive showing from Taylor, who's now held opponents without an earned run in his last 21.1 innings -- he's given up just 10 hits while striking out 21 in that span. The 24-year-old right-hander's ERA is down to 2.05 across 66 innings this season with a 1.02 WHIP and 85:21 K:BB. The White Sox have continued to use a committee in the ninth inning, though Taylor remains the best option for saves in the South Side down the stretch.

King (8-9) took the loss Wednesday as the Padres fell 4-2 to the Mets, allowing two runs on four hits and two walks over 6.2 innings. He struck out four.

A two-run home run by Carson Benge in the fourth inning was the only real blemish on King's line for the afternoon, but the right-hander left the mound with the Friars down 2-1 and saw his two-start win streak snapped. King has been on a roll since the beginning of July, producing quality starts in six of his nine outings with a 3.08 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 45:19 K:BB over 52.2 innings. He'll look for more run support in his next start, which is scheduled to come at home early next week against the Pirates.

The Cubs transferred Maton (knee) to the 60-day injured list Wednesday.

The Cubs have yet to decide whether to build Maton up for a late-season return or shut him down for the year, though the team is expected to make a decision within the next week or so. In the meantime, the Cubs will stash him away on the 60-day IL to free up a 40-man spot for Gabriel Arias, who was claimed off waivers from the Mets on Wednesday.

Flores went 2-for-2 with two solo home runs in Wednesday's 4-3 win over the Tigers.

The Pirates tried to give the red-hot Flores a breather by keeping him out of the lineup Wednesday, but the 25-year-old was summoned off the bench to pinch hit for Henry Davis in the seventh inning and took Jacob Waguespack deep to make it a 3-2 game. Two frames later, Flores homered again to tie it, this time off Detroit closer Kenley Jansen, setting the stage for Brandon Lowe's walk-off blast. Flores has gone yard five times in the last seven games, a sizzling stretch in which he's batting .435 (10-for-23) with 10 RBI.

Holmes (5-6) took the loss Wednesday against the White Sox, allowing a run on six hits and two walks over 5.1 innings. He struck out one.

It was a strong outing overall for Holmes, who's now given up just one run over 12 innings in his last two starts. However, he'd wind up with the loss Wednesday, as the Cubs failed to provide any support offensively in a 3-0 defeat. Overall, Holmes sports a 2.49 ERA across 12 starts (68.2 innings) between the Cubs and Mets this season with a 1.11 WHIP and 50:23 K:BB. He's currently lined up to face the Mariners on the road his next time out.

The Mariners transferred Raley (forearm) from the 10-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Wednesday.

The move opens up a spot on the 40-man roster for left-hander Jhonathan Diaz, whose contract was selected from Triple-A Tacoma. The move also means Raley will be sidelined for the rest of the regular season, though he would be eligible to play in the postseason should the Mariners qualify and if he's made a full recovery from his left forearm strain. He'll finish the 2026 campaign with a .225/.284/.439 slash line with 15 home runs, one stolen base, 39 RBI and 28 runs across 287 plate appearances.