MLB Player News

Knizner exercised his opt-out clause with the Red Sox on Friday and is now a free agent, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

The veteran catcher inked a minor-league pact with Boston in June and slashed .317/.426/.494 with two homers, 16 RBI, nine runs scored, one stolen base and a 14:13 BB:K across 94 plate appearances with Triple-A Worcester. He'll look to latch on with a team in need of catching help.

The Blue Jays designated Martin for assignment Friday.

Toronto needed the 40-man roster spot to promote newcomer Brett Bateman to the big leagues. Martin has spent time with the Royals, Orioles and Blue Jays' organizations this season and owns a .280/.408/.415 slash line with eight homers, 32 RBI, 52 runs scored, 39 stolen bases and a 47:71 BB:K across 294 plate appearances at Double-A and Triple-A.

The Blue Jays placed Urias on the 10-day injured list Friday due to a strained right quadriceps.

Urias was injured in Thursday's loss to the Cubs and will now spend at least the next 10 days out of the lineup. Ernie Clement and Josh Smith should handle most of the second-base duties while Urias is sidelined.

The Blue Jays selected Bateman's contract from Triple-A Buffalo on Friday.

The 24-year-old was acquired from the Cubs earlier this week in the deal that sent Kevin Gausman to Chicago. Bateman was an eighth-round pick in 2023 and will be making his big-league debut with Toronto after slashing .311/.429/.416 with three homers, 33 RBI, 61 runs scored, 20 stolen bases and a 62:67 BB:K across 359 plate appearances at the Triple-A level this season. He could get a chance to handle the strong side of a platoon in center field with Myles Straw.

Brubaker will get the start in Friday's bullpen game against the Tigers, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

The former starter has been used exclusively in relief this season by the Giants, though he has logged three-plus innings in five of his 34 appearances. Brubaker will be pitching on two days' rest after yielding one run in one inning of work in Tuesday's loss to the Rangers, so his pitch count is likely to be very limited.

The Red Sox signed Brebbia to a minor-league contract Thursday, Tom Caron of NESN reports.

Brebbia allowed five runs over 4.1 innings in three appearances for the Rockies earlier this season but has spent most of the year at the Triple-A level, posting a 4.14 ERA and 45:11 K:BB over 37 innings. He will provide some experienced relief depth at Triple-A Worcester.

Cruz (hand) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Indianapolis on Friday, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.

Cruz has finally been cleared to test things out in a game setting after missing two months with a fractured left hand. The center fielder would ideally be given a handful of rehab contests to knock the rust off, but the Pirates might not have the luxury of taking things slowly as they fight for a playoff spot. Cruz slashed .264/.350/.472 with 14 home runs and 21 stolen bases in 64 games for Pittsburgh before getting hurt.

Petty will start for the Reds in Friday's bullpen game against the Nationals, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

Petty has not started a game since early June and shouldn't be expected to cover more than three innings Friday. The right-hander has collected a 4.50 ERA and 14:8 K:BB over 30 innings covering 15 appearances (two starts) for the Reds this season.

Povich is slated to start Sunday's game against the Rangers at Globe Life Field.

Povich was called up from Triple-A Norfolk on Tuesday to make his first big-league start since May 7, and he delivered one of the finest performances of his career. The 26-year-old southpaw struck out seven batters and allowed seven hits and one walk over six scoreless frames in a 3-1 victory over the Angels. He'll be rewarded with another start to close out the week, but Povich may need another strong showing to boost his chances of sticking around in the rotation. Chris Bassitt (back) is slated to make his second rehab start this weekend and could replace Povich in the rotation the next time the Orioles require a fifth starter.

Alvarez is slated to start Saturday's game against the Reds at Nationals Park.

After being called up from Triple-A Rochester on Monday, Alvarez will wind up getting a two-start week. The 27-year-old southpaw delivered a quality start Monday against the Phillies with two earned runs allowed over 6.1 innings, and he's compiled a 3.94 ERA, 1.45 WHIP and 63:31 K:BB over 64 innings through his first 16 appearances (eight starts) with Washington. Alvarez could hold down a rotation spot for the rest of the season after Zack Littell was recently designated for assignment, although prospects Luis Perales and Jackson Kent are expected to get looks before the end of the year.