MLB Player News

Heim is not in the lineup for Wednesday's contest against the Blue Jays.

After starting at catcher in the first two games of the series, Heim will get a breather during Wednesday's finale. It will be Brian Serven behind the dish and batting eighth for the Athletics.

McNeil is absent from the lineup for Wednesday's game versus the Blue Jays.

McNeil started each of the previous 12 contests for the Athletics, but he'll take a seat during Wednesday's matinee. Tommy White will handle first base, and Donovan Walton will be covering second base for the rubber match.

Hjerpe will remain on a starter's schedule for the Cardinals down the stretch and is currently penciled in to serve in a piggyback role with Kyle Leahy, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Hjerpe made his major-league debut last week in Colorado, striking out six over four perfect innings out of the bullpen behind Leahy. The lefty remains on the active roster but will not be available out of the bullpen in between his scripted appearances. A good close to the 2026 season could enhance Hjerpe's chances of breaking camp next year as a member of the Cardinals' rotation.

Atlanta placed Elder on the 15-day injured list Wednesday due to arthroscopic right knee surgery.

Elder had his knee scoped Tuesday and will miss the remainder of the regular season, though he's aiming to be available at some point during the playoffs. If he does return for the postseason, it would likely be in a relief role. The right-hander has posted a 4.11 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 121:49 K:BB over 149 innings covering 26 starts for Atlanta this season.

Atlanta activated Lopez (knee) from the 15-day injured list Wednesday.

Lopez will rejoin Atlanta's rotation with a start Wednesday against the Rays. The right-hander has been shelved since late July with left knee inflammation, but he pitched well on a rehab assignment, collecting a 2.57 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 11:3 K:BB in 14 innings. Lopez threw 93 pitches in his last rehab outing, so he should be prepared to handle a normal workload versus Tampa Bay.

Atlanta designated Hernandez for assignment Wednesday.

Hernandez threw two innings and 49 pitches in Tuesday's loss to the Rays, so he's being sent out in favor of a fresh bullpen arm. Bailey Falter will grab Hernandez's roster spot.

Gose (1-1) took the loss Tuesday against the Diamondbacks after allowing two runs (one earned) on one hit over one inning.

Gose entered for the 11th with the game tied 3-3 and couldn't keep Arizona off the board. Lourdes Gurriel tripled home automatic runner Ildemaro Vargas to break the tie before Ketel Marte's sacrifice fly provided an insurance run. Only one of the two runs charged to Gose was earned because of the extra-inning runner, but the rally was enough to hand him his first loss of the season and raise his ERA to 1.42. This was his first run allowed in six outings.

Suarez elected to become a free agent Wednesday, Rich Dubroff of BaltimoreBaseball.com reports.

Suarez has toggled between the big leagues and Triple-A and has been off and on the 40-man roster multiple times this season. He was DFA'd by Baltimore again over the weekend. Turning 37 years old next month, Suarez will see if he can find a more stable situation after posting a 4.12 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 41:20 K:BB across 27 appearances with the Orioles.

Wacha didn't factor into the decision Tuesday against the Diamondbacks after allowing three hits and four walks while striking out four over six scoreless innings.

Wacha kept Arizona off the scoreboard through six innings but received no offensive support in a game that remained scoreless until the eighth. The veteran worked around four walks while limiting the Diamondbacks to three hits, throwing 93 pitches before turning the game over to the bullpen. The quality start was Wacha's 20th of the season, and he lowered his ERA to 3.25. His next start should come against the Astros next week.

Atlanta selected Falter's contract from Triple-A Gwinnett on Wednesday.

Falter was acquired from the Royals at the trade deadline and allowed just one unearned run with an 11:2 K:BB over 10.2 innings with Gwinnett. The lefty will likely be used in middle relief in Atlanta.