MLB Player News

Atlanta signed Leon to a major-league contract Tuesday.

The veteran backstop signed with Atlanta as a non-roster invitee in February but failed to make the Opening Day roster and was released in April to pursue an opportunity in the Mexican League. Leon is back on a big-league deal this time since Sean Murphy (finger) was placed on the injured list. Leon should serve as the backup to Drake Baldwin while Murphy is sidelined.

The Mets designated Ibanez for assignment Tuesday.

The club needed to free up a spot on its 26-man and 40-man rosters for the addition of A.J. Ewing. Ibanez was a waiver claim of the Mets in late April but hardly played, going hitless in eight plate appearances.

The Mets selected Ewing's contract from Triple-A Syracuse on Tuesday.

Ewing is set to make his major-league debut as the Mets look to spark a dormant offense. The speedster began the season at Double-A Binghamton and has slashed a combined .339/.447/.514 with two home runs, 17 stolen bases and a 22:20 BB:K over 30 games between Binghamton and Triple-A Syracuse. Ewing will take over as the Mets' primary center fielder, at least until Luis Robert (back) is ready to return.

Atlanta placed Murphy on the 10-day injured list Tuesday, retroactive to May 11, due to a fractured left middle finger.

The 31-year-old sustained the injury on a catcher's interference when behind the plate during Sunday's game against the Dodgers and will be forced to miss some time. After spending the first month-plus of the season rehabbing from September hip surgery, Murphy is now back on the shelf after going 1-for-14 in four games for Atlanta. Drake Baldwin will operate as the club's clear No. 1 catcher moving forward, and veteran Sandy Leon was signed to serve as the backup while Murphy is out.

Gage (3-1) earned the win in Monday's 9-3 victory over the Dodgers, striking out one over 1.2 scoreless relief innings.

Gage entered the game in the sixth inning with a runner on first base and one out before inducing a pair of groundouts. He also retired all three batters he faced in the seventh, finishing his outing having thrown 13 of his 21 pitches for strikes. The 33-year-old southpaw hasn't allowed an earned run in any of his last 11 appearances and now owns a 1.02 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 11:10 K:BB across 17.2 innings in 20 outings this season.

Bader (hamstring) went 1-for-5 with a double in Monday's 9-3 win over the Dodgers.

After being activated from the injured list Monday, Bader returned to the Giants' lineup and hit a leadoff double in the eighth inning. The veteran outfielder missed a month of big-league action with a left hamstring strain, and he struggled at the plate in the beginning of the year while dealing with the injury. He's now slashing .123/.150/.211 with four runs scored, three RBI and one home run across 60 plate appearances this season.

The Orioles optioned Espada to Triple-A Norfolk on Tuesday.

The right-hander was called up by Baltimore on Sunday and will return to Norfolk without appearing in a big-league game. Espada fired a scoreless frame in his lone MLB appearance this year and has struggled to a 5.68 ERA across 10 relief outings at Triple-A.

Rodriguez will be the Padres' opening pitcher Tuesday in Milwaukee, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Rodriguez opening up for knuckleballer Matt Waldron worked well last week against the Giants, so the Padres will run that strategy back. The 22-year-old Rodriguez has fanned only 14 batters in 19.2 innings this season but has managed a 1.83 ERA and 1.02 WHIP.

Waldron is slated to serve as the Padres' primary pitcher in Tuesday's game versus the Brewers, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Waldron struck out seven over five innings of one-run ball against the Giants on Wednesday after following opener Bradgley Rodriguez. The Padres will follow that same formula again in Tuesday's series opener. Waldron is not guaranteed any more starts beyond Tuesday's, as Lucas Giolito is expected to be ready to join the rotation soon after knocking off some rust in the minors.

The Orioles activated Rogers (illness) from the 15-day injured list to start Tuesday's game against the Yankees.

The left-hander will end up spending just one day beyond the 15-day minimum on the injured list after recovering from the flu. After delivering quality starts in each of his first three outings of the campaign, Rogers labored to a 9.53 ERA and 2.12 WHIP in his last three starts before landing on the shelf. The 28-year-old threw a simulated bullpen session Saturday and is rejoining Baltimore's rotation without a rehab assignment, so the club could be cognizant of his workload Tuesday.