MLB Player News

No aces for the Orioles, but this is another strong addition. The 36-year-old Bassitt has made 30 starts each of the last four seasons, going 52-40 with a 3.77 ERA during that span. His stuff did show signs of decline last season and he was left out of the Jays’ postseason rotation, but he wound up looking great as a setup man during the team’s World Series run. He’ll join Kyle Bradish, Trevor Rogers, Shane Baz in the Orioles rotation, leaving one spot for Dean Kremer or Zach Elfin. However, they’ll surely need all six starters in the end. The move does push Cade Povich further down the depth chart, and it would seem to guarantee that Tyler Wells will open up in the pen.

Bloss was working his way back at Triple-A Buffalo from last year’s UCL surgery on his right elbow before suffering this setback. The unfortunate news here is that absences from shoulder injuries of this nature are typically measured in months, not weeks, which likely extinguishes any hope of him pitching for Toronto in the second half.

Little rejoins Toronto’s relief mix prior to Saturday’s game against the White Sox after spending exactly one month in the minors. The 29-year-old southpaw has allowed 15 runs — 14 earned — with a 7/6 K/BB ratio across 4 2/3 innings of work at the highest level this season. He’ll operate in low-leverage spots for the Blue Jays.

Estrada returns to Toronto’s bullpen after spending a couple weeks back in the minors. The 27-year-old holds a 2.84 ERA across 6 1/3 innings over two appearances in the big leagues this season. He’ll operate in long relief for the Blue Jays.

Macko allowed two runs during his lone inning of work during Friday’s second-half opener against the White Sox. He’s allowed multiple runs in four consecutive relief outings to earn a ticket back to the minors. The -year-old rookie holds a pedestrian 5.03 ERA and 21/9 K/BB ratio across 19 2/3 innings since May 18.

Van Eyk heads back to the minors after firing two scoreless innings against the White Sox in his big-league debut on Friday night. The 27-year-old figures to be an up-and-down middle relief option for Toronto over the final two-plus months.

Gonzalez is at shortstop and hitting eighth after Friday’s second-half opener was postponed due to air quality concerns in Cleveland. The 24-year-old infielder was scooped up by the Pirates in a trade with the White Sox earlier this month to serve as a temporary stopgap until rookie standout Konnor Griffin (finger) returns from the injured list in early September. He’s shown an ability to make consistent hard contact and could offer some fantasy relevance in deeper leagues in an everyday role with Pittsburgh.

Kayfus suffered both a fracture and ligament damage in his right ankle while playing for Triple-A Columbus last Saturday. The 24-year-old former top prospect was demoted to the minors back in mid-April after hitting just .182 (4-for-22) with one homer and two RBI over nine games in a bench role. There is no timeline for his return but he figures to be ready for the start of spring training.

Sammon and Nusbaum add that trade discussions are in the preliminary stages at this point. They also didn’t offer any specifics regarding which teams have reached out to Washington. Garcia figures to be a popular trade target, if the Nationals are intent on moving him, since he’s put together an outstanding season, hitting .284/.317/.554 with a career-high 20 homers, 68 RBI and four steals in 319 plate appearances through. 90 games. He would make sense as a righty-mashing specialist on a contending roster capable of playing both first and second base.

Josh Bell takes over at first base in his absence with Twins manager Derek Shelton telling reporters that he’s already feeling better, but will still get an extra day off to rest and recover. Lewis went 0-for-4 during Friday’s second-half opener. He’s hit .258 (33-for-128) with seven homers, 16 RBI and three steals in 33 games since returning to the big leagues back on June 6.

Curtis is likely ticketed for a long relief role after a strong showing on the doorstep of the majors to earn his first call-up to the majors. The unheralded 24-year-old has compiled a respectable 4.96 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and 97/40 K/BB ratio across 74 1/3 innings over 18 appearances in the upper minors this season. He can be safely ignored in fantasy leagues for now.