MLB Player News

Romero (appendectomy) will begin a rehab assignment Tuesday at High-A Wisconsin.

The 29-year-old southpaw will be making his organizational debut, after the Cardinals placed him on the injured list coming out of the All-Star break following his emergency appendectomy before trading him to the Brewers on Aug. 3. Because he's been out for more than a month, the Brewers will likely want Romero to make multiple appearances in the minors before clearing him to join the big-league bullpen. He could be a candidate for activation when the roster expands to 28 men Sept. 1.

The Tigers designated Vanasco for assignment Monday, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

The transaction frees up a spot on the 40-man roster for the addition of new signee Tyler Kinley. Vanasco has made five appearances for Detroit this season, getting tagged for 12 runs (11 earned) with a 4:6 K:BB over 6.1 innings.

The Tigers optioned Madden to Triple-A Toledo on Monday, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

Madden boasts a 3.46 ERA and 40:13 K:BB over 39 innings, but he had been scored upon in five consecutive outings. His spot on the roster and in the bullpen will be absorbed by Tyler Kinley, who was signed by the Tigers on Monday.

The Tigers signed Kinley to a one-year contract, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

Kinley was released by Atlanta last week after posting a 6.00 ERA and 7:7 K:BB over his first nine innings of the second half. The right-hander has been decent overall this season, collecting a 4.01 ERA and 42:20 K:BB over 42.2 innings. Kinley should operate in middle relief for Detroit.

Abrams (ankle) will start at designated hitter and bat leadoff in Monday's game against the Rockies.

Abrams missed the last four contests while recovering from a left ankle sprain, but he's feeling well enough to at least hit in Monday's series opener. When Abrams does return to playing a position, he's expected to serve as the Nationals' primary second baseman down the stretch.

Torres is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Rays.

Detroit will give Torres a breather after he had started every game dating back to July 28 and slashed .247/.330/.412 with four home runs, 17 RBI and 16 runs over a stretch of 23 contests. Hao-Yu Lee will take Torres' spot in the infield, covering second base while slotting in as the Tigers' No. 2 hitter.

Lee will start at second base and bat second in Monday's game against the Rays.

Lee will stick in the starting nine for a fifth straight game after he went 5-for-13 with a home run, a double, two walks, five runs and two RBI over his last four games to bring his slash line up to .281/.321/.439 for the season. The hot-hitting rookie appears to have played his way into a near-everyday role for the time being, but he could find himself as the odd man out of the lineup as soon as the Tigers are able to get both Kerry Carpenter (foot) and Riley Greene (hamstring) back from the injured list.

Jimenez (knee) recently completed his fifth bullpen session since undergoing left knee surgery in April, Grant McAuley of the Marietta Daily Journal reports.

Jimenez has undergone three knee surgeries since he last pitched in the big leagues in September 2024. The veteran reliever noted that his most recent bullpen session was the best he's felt since he resumed throwing, and he'll have a chance to rejoin the Atlanta bullpen before the end of the season if all goes well.

The Rockies placed Freeland on the 15-day injured list Monday due to cervical radiculopathy.

Freeland will head to the IL for the second time this season, after shoulder inflammation kept him on the shelf for a brief spell in April. The veteran southpaw dealt with a pinched nerve in his neck during his most recent start last Wednesday against the Dodgers, and after he wasn't able to bounce back as well as the Rockies had hoped, the decision was made to deactivate him. The Rockies will call up Mason Adams from Triple-A Albuquerque on Tuesday to join the rotation as a replacement for Freeland, who will be eligible to return Sept. 5.

Early (elbow) threw a 25-pitch bullpen session Saturday, Danielle Allentuck of The Washington Post reports.

Early encountered a setback in early August when he experienced minor left forearm tightness during a live batting practice session. The left-hander has now resumed mound work as he looks to join the Nationals rotation sometime in September. Early hasn't pitched in a game since late June, when he was still a member of the Red Sox before he was traded to the Nationals on July 26.