Piper hits first career homer vs. O’s in loss

Waldrep was hurt in Triple-A a month ago in his first outing there after a three-start stint in the majors. The 24-year-old, who is 6-3 with a 4.99 ERA in 13 starts and two relief appearances as a major leaguer since debuting in 2024, figures to miss all of 2027 after this.

Yikes. Schwellenbach didn’t require surgery at the time of the fracture, but he did undergo a procedure to remove bone spurs this spring, He hasn’t pitched in 14 months since the original injury, and his status for 2027 seems like it’s in real doubt at this point.

Fried missed two starts during his second absence with a bone bruise in his elbow. Boone wouldn’t confirm the order in which Carlos Rodón and Fried will start Saturday, but it’d make sense for Fried to pitch in the second game.

Ornelas has declined the assignment and become a free agent. The Brewers DFA’d him on Tuesday after he went 2-for-9 in 10 days with the club.

Mets interim manager Andy Green said Polanco would be “in a baseball progression” at the beginning of the spring. Polanco, who was signed to a two-year, $40 million deal last winter, will probably get another chance at first base next year once healthy, but the Mets will likely want to keep Jared Young around as protection.

He takes Blaze Jordan’s spot on the roster. It would seem to make sense for the Cardinals to give Saggese more of a look than Nolan Gorman down the stretch, but we’re guessing if they wanted to do that, Saggese would have already been in the big leagues and not needed an injury to be recalled. Saggese is hitting .258/.340/.446 for Memphis this year with 10 homers and nine stolen bases in 249 plate appearances.

Tough break for the 23-year-old, as he’s losing big-league opportunities down the stretch here with the Cardinals. Jordan was unable to put weight on the ankle after being hurt and this will likely be more than a 10-day injury.

He missed two games in a row with the elbow injury earlier this week. His return forces Mickey Gasper to DH. Rutschman will try to help the Red Sox make up some ground on the Yankees against RHP Cam Schlittler.

The 25-year-old left-hander came over in a deadline trade for INF Josh Smith and had five appearances with a 5.63 ERA with Round Rock. He holds a 4.91 ERA in 22 innings in the bigs earlier this year with the Blue Jays.

It’s a bit surprising to see Kirk rested in two of the last six games. Especially when he’s hitting .338/.415/.513 this month. Brandon Valenzuela will don the tools of ignorance against RHP Emerson Hancock.