MLB Player News

The Athletics optioned Johnson to Triple-A Las Vegas on Wednesday.

With Jeffrey Springs back from the 15-day injured list, Johnson is losing his spot on the 26-man roster. Acquired from the Phillies in exchange for Colby Thomas two weeks ago at the trade deadline, Johnson surrendered seven runs on 10 hits and three walks with six strikeouts across 4.2 innings out of the bullpen for the Athletics.

The Athletics reinstated Springs (hip) from the 15-day injured list Wednesday.

The veteran southpaw is slated to start Wednesday's game against the Royals in Kansas City. Springs spent just over the minimum 15 days on the shelf while recovering from right hip discomfort and was cleared to rejoin the Athletics after covering three innings and tossing 59 pitches in his lone rehab start with Single-A Stockton last week. He'll likely be operating with a light workload restriction in his return to the big-league rotation, though he hadn't reached six innings in any of his 11 appearances prior to landing on the shelf.

Vilade will start in right field and bat seventh in Wednesday's contest versus the Blue Jays.

Most of the right-handed-hitting Vilade's playing time this season has come against lefties, but he could see semi-regular reps versus righties while Victor Mesa (hamstring) is on the injured list. Vilade will be making his third start in the last three contests, and two of them have come versus right-handers. Vilade sports an .868 OPS against lefties in 2026, but he's held his own against righties with a .748 OPS.

Bailey is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Giants.

The Guardians have been leaning on a loose platoon at catcher between Bailey and Austin Hedges, with the former getting the bulk of the starts against right-handed pitching. With southpaw Matt Wilkinson starting for the Giants, Bailey will cede catching duties to Hedges on Wednesday.

The Pirates acquired Bethancourt from the Yankees on Wednesday in exchange for cash considerations.

The acquisition of Bethancourt bolsters the Pirates' organizational catching depth and could be an indication that Endy Rodriguez (hip) is headed for a longer-term absence. The 34-year-old Bethancourt saw big-league action over parts of eight seasons from 2013 through 2024, but he's played exclusively at the Triple-A level between stops with the Cubs and Yankees organizations in 2026. Over 249 plate appearances at Triple-A, Bethancourt has slashed .270/.320/.491 with 14 home runs and five stolen bases.

DeLauter (hamstring) is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Giants.

DeLauter hasn't played since exiting Sunday's game versus the Padres with left hamstring tightness. An MRI came back negative, but DeLauter will miss a third straight start while Angel Martinez takes his spot in right field. According to Tim Stebbins of MLB.com, DeLauter took batting practice and went through a pregame workout Wednesday, though it's unclear if the Guardians will make him available off the bench.

Adell (knee) is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game versus the Giants.

Adell went 3-for-4 with a home run and six RBI in Tuesday's win, but he was pulled late in the game due to left knee discomfort. He's considered day-to-day heading into Thursday's series finale. Steven Kwan, Petey Halpin and Angel Martinez will patrol the outfield for the Guardians on Wednesday.

The Rays placed Mesa on the 10-day injured list Wednesday due to a left hamstring strain.

Mesa had missed out on three straight starts on account of tightness in the same hamstring before he made his return to the lineup for Tuesday's 10-5 loss to the Blue Jays. He was unable to finish out the game, however, after he aggravated the injury early in the contest. Mesa will now get some more time off to recover, and though the Rays aren't committing to a timeline for his return, manager Kevin Cash said Wednesday that he's hopeful the outfielder will spend the minimum 10 days on the shelf, per Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. Ryan Vilade and Jonny DeLuca are likely to see most of the reps in right field during Mesa's absence.

Rodriguez is absent from the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Cardinals.

The left-handed-hitting Rodriguez had started in right field the last two games versus righties, but he'll begin Wednesday's contest on the bench as St. Louis sends southpaw Matthew Liberatore to the bump. Michael Toglia will play right field for the Reds.

Toglia will start in right field and bat sixth in Wednesday's contest against the Cardinals.

Toglia will be making his second start in right field and sixth start in 10 games since being called up from Triple-A Louisville. He's gone just 3-for-19 with a 2:8 BB:K thus far. Lefty swinger Hector Rodriguez is likely to see most of the reps in right field against right-handed pitching, but the switch-hitting Toglia could settle into the short side of a platoon in right field while also seeing occasional starts at other positions.