MLB Player News

Winker (back) was cleared to begin a rehab assignment Wednesday with Single-A St. Lucie, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Though no reports indicated that Winker had resumed baseball activities, the 32-year-old evidently made enough progress behind the scenes over the last few days for the Mets to clear him for a rehab assignment. He'll start at designated hitter for St. Lucie on Wednesday and likely remain in the minors for several more games in order to stockpile at-bats and prove that his back won't be an issue if he's needed for spot duty in the corner outfield. Though Winker could be ready to return from the 60-day injured list at some point in September, the Mets may not be willing to open up regular playing time for him, especially while the team is getting good results from its current DH duo of Mark Vientos and Starling Marte. Winker slashed an unremarkable .229/.309/.400 in 81 plate appearances in the majors prior to being shut down with the back issue.

The Orioles designated Machin for assignment Wednesday.

Machin saw a bit of playing time at third base in the Orioles' initial games without Jordan Westburg (ankle), going 1-for-11 with a home run following his promotion from Triple-A Norfolk last Friday. However, Machin didn't make a strong enough impression to earn a long-term stay in Baltimore, and he'll be replaced on the 40-man roster and 26-man active roster by infielder Emmanuel Rivera, who was called up from Norfolk.

The Orioles transferred Young (hamstring) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Wednesday.

The move to the 60-day IL spells an official end to Young's season. According to Jake Rill of MLB.com, Young said that he expects to face a six-week recovery from the left hamstring strain, which should allow him to have a normal offseason. In 12 starts with the big club as a rookie, the 27-year-old right-hander went 1-7 and submitted a 6.24 ERA, 1.54 WHIP and 47:22 K:BB in 57.2 innings. Young should get the chance to compete for a spot in the Orioles' Opening Day rotation in 2026, but in light of his poor numbers in his first taste of the majors this season, he'll likely need a strong spring to secure a starting role with the big club.

The Orioles optioned Hiraldo to Triple-A Norfolk on Wednesday.

Hiraldo has been sent down one day after he was touched up for three runs in a 1.1-inning relief outing in the Orioles' 5-0 loss to the Red Sox. The righty reliever has collected a 5.65 ERA and 12:6 K:BB over 14.1 frames with the Orioles this season.

The Orioles selected Rivera's contract from Triple-A Norfolk on Wednesday.

Rivera has been up and down multiple times between Norfolk and Baltimore this season, slashing only .229/.299/.271 over 26 games with the big club. He could see a decent amount of playing time at third base while Jordan Westburg (ankle) is on the injured list.

The Cardinals recalled Granillo from Triple-A Memphis on Wednesday.

St. Louis optioned Granillo to Triple-A on Monday, but he didn't make an appearance for Memphis before he was called back to the big club to join the bullpen as a replacement for John King (back), who landed on the injured list. Granillo is likely to take on a low-leverage role for the Cardinals after logging a 4.82 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 14:7 K:BB in 18.2 innings through his first 12 relief appearances in the majors.

The Cardinals placed King on the 15-day injured list Wednesday due to a mid-back strain.

King had been on the shelf from July 30 through this past Saturday due to an oblique strain, and despite having not made a relief appearance since being activated Sunday, the left-hander will head back to the IL with a new injury. St. Louis recalled right-hander Andre Granillo from Triple-A Memphis to replace King in the bullpen.

Walker is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game versus the Pirates.

Walker started in each of the previous four games, which had been preceded by a four-game stretch when he made only one start. The 23-year-old is slashing just .234/.269/.297 in August and .231/.285/.318 on the season. Lars Nootbaar will handle right field and Nathan Church will play center field for the Cardinals on Wednesday.

Outman is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Blue Jays.

Outman was included in the starting nine for the first two contests of the series and went 1-for-7 with a walk, but the left-handed batter will hit the bench for Wednesday's finale while southpaw Eric Lauer toes the rubber for Toronto. Austin Martin will spell Outman in left field.

Arraez is not in the lineup for Wednesday's contest in Seattle.

Arraez had started every game since May 27 for the Padres, but he'll take a seat in Wednesday's series finale as he battles through a 2-for-18 slump at the plate. Jake Cronenworth will slide over to first base and Jose Iglesias will man second base in the rubber match.