MLB Player News

The Athletics designated Perez for assignment Thursday.

Perez is a toolsy outfielder with swing-and-miss issues, having logged a .657 OPS with five homers, four steals and a 33.1 percent strikeout rate this season at Triple-A Las Vegas. The 24-year-old slashed .231/.348/.473 with 26 home runs and 27 stolen bases between Double-A Midland and Las Vegas in 2025 while sporting a 14.8 percent walk rate and 28.1 percent strikeout rate. There should be interest in Perez via waivers.

Bolte started in center field and went 2-for-2 with an RBI and a walk in Wednesday's 6-2 victory over the Cardinals.

Bolte had an eventful big-league debut, tallying a pair of hits on groundballs to third base, one of which Nolan Gorman whiffed on in the second inning and the other being one Bolte legged out for an infield single in the fourth frame. Bolte's lone out was still a productive one, as he lifted a sacrifice fly in the seventh inning for his first career RBI while also extending the Athletics' lead. The 22-year-old's promotion to the majors Tuesday came on the heels of a blistering stretch with Triple-A Las Vegas, where he posted an 1.076 OPS with 12 homers, 28 RBI, 41 runs and 17 stolen bases across 37 appearances. One of the organization's top prospects, Bolte should receive his fair share of opportunities in Sacramento, particularly in center field and against left-handed pitching.

Vierling is not in the lineup for Thursday's contest against the Mets.

Vierling had started each of the last nine games in center field, but he'll take a seat in Thursday's series finale. It will be Wenceel Perez handling center field and batting eighth as the Tigers look to avoid the sweep.

The Twins optioned Wallner to Triple-A St. Paul on Thursday, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Wallner has looked lost at the plate all season, slashing just .167/.259/.292 with a 39.3 percent strikeout rate. He had his second straight golden sombrero in Wednesday's loss to the Marlins, which was evidently the final straw. Austin Martin will likely be Minnesota's regular right fielder while Wallner works on his swing at St. Paul.

Rafaela entered as a pinch hitter and belted a two-run home run in Wednesday's 3-1 win over the Phillies.

Rafaela was held out of the starting lineup because interim manager Chad Tracy wanted Masataka Yoshida's left-handed bat against Philadelphia starter and right-hander Andrew Painter. Ironically, Rafaela was announced to pinch hit for Yoshida against a lefty in the sixth inning, but Phillies interim manager Don Mattingly countered with righty Orion Kerkering. Rafaela crushed a fastball for the first pinch-hit home run of his career and the game-winning hit. It was Rafaela's third homer to go along with nine RBI in his last seven contests.

Varsho went 1-for-4 with a grand slam in Wednesday's 5-3 win over Tampa Bay.

After the Rays scored twice to take a 3-1 lead in the top of the 10th inning, Varsho came up with the bases loaded with one out in the bottom half of the frame and launched an opposite-field grand slam off a two-strike pitch from Aaron Brooks, sending Toronto home with a win. It's the fifth homer of the year for Varsho, who's gone 7-for-21 (.333) with an .840 OPS in his last five games. Overall, he's slashing .250/.321/.403 with 13 RBI, 19 runs scored and three steals across 159 plate appearances this season.

Raley went 2-for-3 with a solo home run in Wednesday's 4-3 extra-inning loss to the Astros.

Raley has four homers over his last seven games, accounting for all but one of his hits in that span. He's added 11 RBI during the resurgence at the plate after an ice-cold end to April. Overall, he's batting .262 with a .901 OPS, nine homers, 24 RBI, 17 runs scored, four doubles, one triple and no stolen bases over 38 contests. Raley will likely continue to hold the platoon advantage over Rob Refsnyder for starts in right field.

Cole went 3-for-4 with one RBI and a hit-by-pitch in Wednesday's 4-3 extra-inning win over the Mariners.

Cole posted his first multi-hit effort of the season, including a walk-off single in the 10th inning. He's gone 7-for-23 (.304) across eight games in the majors this year after missing time early in the campaign with Triple-A Sugar Land due to a broken toe. Since his May 4 recall, he has regularly been in the lineup against right-handed pitchers. He's recorded two home runs, six RBI, two runs scored and a double through 24 plate appearances.

Peters went 2-for-4 with a double, an RBI and a run scored Wednesday against the Royals.

Peters entered Wednesday's game hitless in five of his last six starts, but he contributed to a key rally in the second inning of the win. He drove in the White Sox's first run of the contest with a double and came around to score in the same frame. Peters remains the team's primary center fielder and is hitting .271 with four stolen bases across 107 plate appearances.

Kelenic went 2-for-3 with a two-run double, a walk and a run scored during the White Sox's 6-5 win over the Royals on Wednesday.

Kelenic broke the 3-3 tie in the fifth inning after smacking a double to right field that brought both Andrew Benintendi and Colson Montgomery home. It was the second multi-hit game of the season for Kelenic, who should continue to see more starts in the outfield as long as both Austin Hays (calf) and Everson Pereira (pectoral) are on the 10-day injured list.