MLB Player News

The Royals optioned Melendez to Triple-A Omaha on Friday.

With the Royals' acquisitions of Randal Grichuk and Mike Yastrzemski this past week, Melendez will head back to the minors. Melendez has slashed an ugly .083/.154/.167 with one home run, one RBI, five runs scored and a 3:23 BB:K across 65 plate appearances at the major-league level this season.

The Royals activated Loftin (concussion) from the 7-day injured list Friday.

Loftin is not in the lineup for Friday's series opener in Toronto. The 26-year-old utility man has slashed .216/.254/.378 with three home runs, 13 RBI, 12 runs scored, one stolen base and a 4:18 BB:K across 118 plate appearances this season. Loftin figures to lose playing time after the Royals' acquisitions of Randal Grichuk and Mike Yastrzemski.

Gonzalez was promoted to Triple-A St. Paul on Friday, Bobby Nightengale of The Minnesota Star Tribune reports.

Gonzalez began the season at High-A and was promoted after hitting .319 with five home runs and a .907 OPS in 34 games for Cedar Rapids. He then slashed .344/./429/.509 with four home runs in 55 games for Double-A Wichita. After missing extended time with a back injury last season, he's re-established himself as one of the better hitting prospects in the Twins organization.

The Twins recalled Roden from Triple-A St. Paul on Friday.

Roden was initially assigned to St. Paul after being acquired from the Blue Jays on Thursday, but he'll be called upon to fill one of the many openings on the big club's 26-man active roster in the wake of the trade deadline. With the Twins moving several key pieces at the deadline, Roden could get an extended trial in the outfield over the final two months of the season. The 25-year-old posted a .589 OPS in 44 games in the majors with Toronto this season but slashed .331/.423/.496 in 142 plate appearances at Triple-A Buffalo.

The Twins recalled Martin from Triple-A St. Paul on Friday.

Martin dealt with hamstring issues earlier in the season and has yet to play in the big leagues in 2025. Following the Twins' fire sale at the trade deadline, Martin will rejoin Minnesota, providing depth at second base and in the outfield. Martin slashed .319/.431/.398 with one home run, 14 RBI, 13 runs scored, two stolen bases and a 21:17 BB:K across 137 plate appearances with St. Paul.

The Orioles selected Adams' contract from Double-A Chesapeake on Friday.

The 25-year-old will bolster Baltimore's outfield following the departures of Cedric Mullins, Ramon Laureano and Ryan O'Hearn. Adams will likely start out as the Orioles' No. 4 outfielder, but it'll still be his best opportunity yet in the majors, as the former Angel has played just 33 games across parts of three big-league seasons.

The Orioles selected Vavra's contract from Triple-A Norfolk on Friday.

The 28-year-old remained in the organization after being designated for assignment in late May, and he'll receive another look in the majors after Baltimore traded away Ryan O'Hearn, Ramon Laureano and Cedric Mullins. Vavra last played in the majors in 2023 and had a .560 OPS in 56 plate appearances. His performance at Norfolk this season has also been underwhelming with a .695 OPS.

Clarke (hip) began a hitting and running progression Tuesday, MLB.com reports.

Clarke landed on the injured list July 22 due to a Grade 2 adductor strain, and it's encouraging that he was shut down from baseball activities for only about a week. The 25-year-old has a lot of work to do in his rehab before being game ready, but a return in mid-August appears plausible.

Adams is expected to have his contract selected by the Orioles on Friday, Andy Kostka of TheBaltimoreBanner.com reports.

The Orioles traded away Cedric Mullins, Ramon Laureano and Ryan O'Hearn prior to the deadline Thursday, leaving them shorthanded in the outfield. Adams has only had short stints in the majors in the past, but this could be his best chance to prove himself with Baltimore having multiple starting spots to fill.

The Royals acquired Yastrzemski from the Giants on Thursday in exchange for Yunior Marte, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

The veteran outfielder's seven-year run in San Francisco has come to an end, with the Giants electing to offload his expiring contract. Yastrzemski has a .231/.330/.355 slash line with eight homers and six steals in 97 games this season, and he should provide the Royals with some stability in right field due to Jac Caglianone (hamstring) being on the IL. Fellow trade acquisition Randal Grichuk is a likely platoon partner for the lefty-hitting Yastremski, who should see most of the starts vs. right-handed pitching.