MLB Player News

The Dodgers optioned Freeland to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Thursday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

The move comes in order to make room on the active roster for Ben Rortvedt, who was selected by the Dodgers on Thursday as Will Smith battles a hand injury. Alexis Diaz was also designated for assignment as part of the move. Freeland got the call at the end of July and slashed .190/.292/.310 across his first 97 plate appearances in the big leagues. The rookie infielder had been filling in for a multitude of Dodgers on the injured list, such as Max Muncy, Tommy Edman, Enrique Hernandez and Hyeseong Kim. With some of them nearing a return or having already returned, Freeland might not rejoin the Dodgers in 2025.

The Royals recalled Kolek from Triple-A Omaha on Thursday.

The 28-year-old pitched six innings of one-run ball during his Royals debut last Saturday against the Tigers, and he'll now return to Kansas City to replace the injured Seth Lugo (back) in the rotation. Kolek is penciled in to make his next start Saturday against a Twins offense that has posted a .727 OPS over its last 15 games.

Astros manager Joe Espada said they are still waiting on Arrighetti's (elbow) MRI results Thursday, but that a return during the regular season is unlikely, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Arrighetti was placed on the 15-day injured list Wednesday due to right elbow inflammation. He's without a clear timeline for his return but isn't likely to be back with the Astros in the final weeks of the regular season.

Meyers (calf) is in the lineup as the designated hitter Thursday for Triple-A Sugar Land after he fouled a ball off his right knee Wednesday night, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Meyers should be able to rejoin the Astros during their series against the Rangers that commences Friday. He will most likely join the team Saturday for the second game of the series. The 29-year-old has slashed .200/.333/.267 across 18 plate appearances in five games during his rehab assignment with Sugar Land.

The Royals placed Lugo on the 15-day injured list Thursday with a lower-back strain, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

The Royals originally planned to push Lugo's next start back to Saturday after he reported tightness in his lower back. However, he didn't feel any improvement while playing catch Thursday and will now spend the next couple of weeks on the shelf in order to get back to 100 percent. Stephen Kolek was recalled from Triple-A Omaha in a corresponding move and is expected to start Saturday's game against the Twins.

The Dodgers selected Rortvedt's contract from Triple-A Oklahoma City on Thursday.

Will Smith is undergoing a CT scan on his right hand and is expected to be out for at least a few days, so Rortvedt will be up to provide catching depth behind Dalton Rushing. Rortvedt was acquired from the Rays at the trade deadline.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Thursday that Ohtani's (illness) next start as a pitcher will come Monday at home against the Rockies, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Ohtani was scratched from a scheduled outing Wednesday in Pittsburgh because he was under the weather, and he won't return to the bump until Monday. The 31-year-old will continue to hit until then, as he is in his usual designated hitter and leadoff spots for Thursday's contest against the Pirates.

Trout (skin infection) will serve as the Angels' designated hitter and bat second against the Royals on Thursday, Erica Weston of Bally Sports West reports.

After missing two games while recovering from a skin infection, Trout will rejoin the starting nine Thursday with left-hander Noah Cameron on the bump for Kansas City. Trout has been stuck in a bit of a slump recently, slashing just .162/.244/.216 with 18 strikeouts over his last 10 games.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Thursday that Smith (hand) is undergoing a CT scan, and it's "probably unlikely" the catcher will play this weekend against the Orioles, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Smith had to be removed from Wednesday's game in Pittsburgh after a foul tip caught him in the right hand. He's not in Thursday's lineup and could require a stint on the 10-day injured list, pending results of the CT scan. Ben Rortvedt will be added to the roster as a third catcher, and Dalton Rushing will handle the bulk of the starts behind the plate while Smith is out.

The Angels optioned Kavadas to Triple-A Salt Lake on Thursday.

He's clearing out to make room on the roster for waiver claim Logan Davidson. Kavadas hadn't been playing much and has gone just 2-for-20 with 10 strikeouts with the big club this season.