MLB Player News

The Nationals optioned Cruz to Triple-A Rochester on Wednesday.

Cruz was part of the trade package that came back to Washington from the Yankees in the Aug. 3 deal that sent first baseman Luis Garcia to New York. In six appearances out of the Nationals bullpen, Cruz allowed five runs on nine hits and five walks with four strikeouts across four innings.

The Orioles optioned Jackson to Triple-A Norfolk on Wednesday, Matt Weyrich of The Baltimore Sun reports.

He'll be moved off the active roster in order to free up a spot for the return of Samuel Basallo (shoulder) from the injured list. Jackson has gone just 1-for-29 at the plate since the All-Star break.

The Giants transferred Bader (foot) from the 10-day injured list to the 60-day injured list Wednesday, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

The transaction clears room on the 40-man roster for left-hander Matt Wilkinson, who was called up from Triple-A Sacramento to start Wednesday's game in Cleveland. The Giants had already ruled Bader out for the season shortly after the All-Star break, when the outfielder suffered further damage to his injured left foot in a scooter accident. Manager Tony Vitello said that even before the accident, Bader had been considered out for the season while struggling to recover from plantar fasciitis, which sent him to the IL on May 30. Bader slashed just .170/.198/.358 over 30 games in what was a highly disappointing first season with the Giants, who signed him to a two-year, $20.5 million deal in January.

The Orioles activated Basallo (shoulder) from the 10-day injured list, Matt Weyrich of The Baltimore Sun reports. He'll start at first base and bat cleanup in Wednesday's game against the Yankees.

Basallo went 1-for-9 with a double and a 0:2 BB:K in two rehab games, and that was evidently enough to convince the Orioles he was ready to return to the active roster. The 22-year-old had been shelved for most of the second half due to right shoulder inflammation.

The Giants selected Wilkinson's contract from Triple-A Sacramento ahead of his scheduled start Wednesday in Cleveland, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Wilkinson will be making his MLB debut against the organization that selected him in the 10th round of the 2023 First-Year Player Draft before dealing him to the Giants back in May as part of the return package for catcher Patrick Bailey. A 23-year-old lefty, Wilkinson compiled a 3.40 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 18.4 K-BB% in 90 innings between the Double-A and Triple-A levels this season. The Giants haven't clarified their rotation plans beyond this week, but Wilkinson could be in store for additional starts over the next five weeks, especially if he acquits himself well Wednesday.

Diaz is out of the lineup for Wednesday's contest versus the Angels.

Diaz started the last two games, which was preceded by a stretch with three straight contests on the bench. He'll retreat to the pine Wednesday while Christian Vazquez handles the catching duties for the Astros.

Varsho is absent from the lineup for Wednesday's game versus the Angels.

Varsho will get his first day off since he landed with Houston at the trade deadline. He has just six hits in 48 at-bats in his first 13 games for the Astros. Taylor Trammell will shift over to center field, and LaMonte Wade will get the start in left field Wednesday.

Clement is absent from the lineup for Wednesday's game versus the Rays due to an illness, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Clement picked up three hits in Tuesday's win over the Rays but then woke up Wednesday feeling under the weather. The Blue Jays will give Clement a day off as a result, paving the way for Josh Smith to start at second base. Consider Clement day-to-day.

Springer is not in the lineup for Wednesday's contest against the Rays.

Springer is coming off his second three-hit game of the season, but he will begin Wednesday's festivities on the bench. Alejandro Kirk will fill the designated hitter spot for the Blue Jays, and Brandon Valenzuela will grab a start at catcher.

The Astros selected Pecko's contract from Triple-A Sugar Land on Wednesday, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

The 23-year-old righty will start and make his major-league debut Wednesday against the Angels after recording a 4.94 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and 71:28 K:BB across 74.2 innings with Sugar Land this season. Pecko will likely need to perform well Wednesday in order to ensure he receives additional starts with the Astros, as Mike Burrows (elbow) has already completed a rehab start and could be ready to return from the 15-day injured list the next time Pecko's turn in the rotation comes up.