MLB Player News

Straw is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Red Sox.

With George Springer (shoulder) returning to action Monday and with trade-deadline pickup Brett Bateman having settled in as the main replacement in center field for the departed Daulton Varsho, Straw looks poised to serve as a fourth outfielder for Toronto. Straw had started in eight of the Blue Jays' first nine games of August, going 7-for-32 (.219 average) with four doubles, one triple, one walk, one stolen base, four runs and one RBI.

Wilson elected to become a free agent Monday, Hunter Baumgardt of Fox Sports 920 Milwaukee reports.

He passed through waivers after being removed from the Brewers' 40-man roster, but Wilson has opted to test out free agency rather than accept an outright assignment to Triple-A Nashville. The swingman has made a total of nine appearances between three different teams in the majors this season, allowing 11 runs with an 18:2 K:BB over 23.1 frames.

The Blue Jays scratched Okamoto from the lineup for Monday's game against the Red Sox due to a left knee contusion.

Toronto called up utility player Charles McAdoo from Triple-A Buffalo as part of a flurry of roster moves Monday, and he'll wind up stepping into the starting nine at third base in place of the banged-up Okamoto. Though the bruised knee is likely causing Okamoto discomfort, he should avoid a trip to the injured list so long as he's not dealing with any sort of sprain or structural damage. Okamoto continues to lead the Blue Jays in home runs (24), RBI (70) and runs (61), but his season average has dropped 14 points since the All-Star break down to .225 while he's struck out at a 32.3 percent clip in the second half.

The Royals optioned McGee to Triple-A Omaha on Monday.

His spot on the roster will be absorbed by veteran reliever Craig Kimbrel. McGee was rocked for six runs in a two-inning relief appearance Sunday versus the Cubs.

Robert is not in the lineup for Monday's contest in Atlanta.

The Mets have been careful with Robert's workload since he returned from the injured list in late July, as he's started three consecutive games only once. Robert will sit out Monday after starting the previous two days, with A.J. Ewing taking over in center field and Brett Baty getting a start in left field.

Encarnacion-Strand is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Twins.

With the hot-hitting Tyler O'Neill seemingly solidifying himself as the Orioles' primary designated hitter, Encarnacion-Strand looks to have faded into a timeshare at third base with Coby Mayo, who will cover the position in Monday's series opener. Encarnacion-Strand will hit the bench for the third time in four contests while he's gone just 3-for-27 with a 2:8 BB:K over his last 10 games.

The Orioles recalled Sanders from Triple-A Norfolk on Monday.

Sanders made two scoreless appearances for the Orioles in July and is back for another go-round with the big club. The 29-year-old will fill a middle-relief role.

Yastrzemski is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Mets.

The left-handed-hitting Yastrzemski had been included in the lineup for each of Atlanta's previous three matchups with right-handed starting pitchers, but he'll head to the bench Monday while righty Christian Scott toes the rubber for New York. Yastrzemski will cede his spot in the starting nine to Sean Murphy, who will work behind the plate while Drake Baldwin serves as Atlanta's designated hitter.

The Orioles optioned Povich to Triple-A Norfolk on Monday.

Povich started Sunday's game against the Rangers, yielding three runs on four hits and two walks over just three innings. With Chris Bassitt (back) due to return from the 60-day injured list later this week, Povich is headed back to Norfolk.

The Astros designated Whitcomb for assignment Monday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

The transaction frees a spot on the 40-man roster for the addition of waiver claim Nelson Velazquez. Whitcomb has slashed just .167/.216/.292 in his limited opportunities at the big-league level the past three seasons. The 27-year-old has hit .265/.342/.479 at the Triple-A level and can play all over the field defensively, so he could draw interest via waivers.