Orioles recalled LHP Bruce Zimmermann to Triple-A Norfolk.
Zimmermann gives the Orioles some extra long relief depth heading into Saturday's showdown against the Mariners. The 28-year-old lefty has made a pair of relief appearances this season in the majors.
Yasmani Grandal (knee) has returned to the White Sox' lineup for Saturday's game against the Red Sox.
Grandal sat out Friday's series opener after being scratched from Wednesday's series finale against the Rangers due to right knee soreness that occurred when he slipped during pregame warmups. It doesn't sound like a major concern moving forward.
Shintaro Fujinami will serve as the Athletics' opener on Saturday against the Blue Jays.
Fujinami will take the ball to face a couple batters on Saturday afternoon before handing things over to rookie left-hander Hogan Harris.
Ryan Yarbrough (face) will make a minor league rehab start on Saturday for Triple-A Omaha.
Yarbrough is working his way back after suffering multiple facial fractures when he was struck by a line drive back in early May. He's likely to require a couple additional outings before returning to Kansas City's starting rotation.
Will Brennan (shoulder) is absent from the Guardians' lineup for Saturday's game against the Brewers.
Brennan will sit out his third straight contest on Saturday afternoon due to left shoulder soreness. He suffered the injury during Wednesday's game against the Athletics when he made a fantastic catch in right field. It'll be David Fry in right field on Saturday in his absence.
David Hamilton is at shortstop and batting eighth on Saturday against the White Sox.
Hamilton has gone 1-for-5 with a pair of runs scored and two stolen bases through three games since being called up earlier this week from Triple-A Worcester. With Pablo Reyes (abdominal) landing on the injured list, he has a clear path to regular at-bats at shortstop over the next few days, and possesses enough stolen base upside to warrant consideration for a fantasy roster spot, especially in deeper mixed leagues.
Angels optioned INF Michael Stefanic to Triple-A Salt Lake.
The Angels needed to free up an active roster spot for newly-acquired veteran third baseman Eduardo Escobar and Stefanic winds up drawing the short straw.
Salvador Perez (hamstring) is in the Royals' lineup for Saturday's game against the Rays.
It's a relief for fantasy managers to see Perez back in Kansas City's lineup after making an early exit from Friday's series opener against the Rays due to a right hamstring cramp. He might be limited to designated hitter duty for a few days, but it doesn't sound like he's going to wind up missing any time.
Brett Baty is not in the Mets' lineup for Saturday's contest against the Phillies.
Baty takes a seat with lefty Cristopher Sánchez on the mound for Philadelphia with veteran Danny Mendick making his season debut at the hot corner. The 23-year-old rookie has hit just .232 (13-for-56) with zero homers, five RBI and an 18/6 K/BB ratio across 16 games since June 1. He certainly hasn't lived up to the lofty expectations his sublime performance in the upper minors generated entering the 2023 campaign.
Jeff McNeil is not in the Mets' lineup for Saturday's game against the Phillies.
McNeil takes a seat on Saturday afternoon in favor of defensive specialist Luis Guillorme with lefty Cristopher Sánchez taking the ball for Philadelphia. The 31-year-old has been slumping at the dish the last few weeks, batting just .197 (14-for-71) with one homer and five RBI across 19 games since June 1.
Orioles optioned INF/OF Josh Lester to Triple-A Norfolk.
Lester heads back to the minors with Cedric Mullins returning from the injured list ahead of Saturday's game against the Mariners.
Guardians signed RHP Jerad Eickhoff to a minor league contract.
Eickhoff hasn't appeared in the majors since getting pulverized for 10 runs over 4 1/3 innings last June in a spot start for the Pirates. The 32-year-old journeyman right-hander is merely emergency pitching depth at this stage of his career.
Robert Murray of FanSided reports the Angels are bringing up David Fletcher from Triple-A Salt Lake ahead of Saturday's game against the Rockies.
Fletcher was sent outright to Triple-A Salt Lake back in mid-April when top prospect Zach Neto was called up directly from Double-A. He'll get another shot in Los Angeles with Neto sidelined due to an oblique injury, and Gio Urshela out for the rest of the season with a fractured pelvis. The 29-year-old middle infielder has hit .383 (69-for-180) across 43 games in the minors since being demoted.
Nolan Gorman is absent from the Cardinals' lineup for Saturday's London Series opener against the Cubs due to illness.
Gorman is expected to be available off the bench to pinch-hit on Saturday, if needed, but is out of the lineup as he deals with an illness making it's way through the Cardinals' clubhouse over the past few days. The 23-year-old slugger has been mired in an extended offensive slump and has lost playing time to Brendan Donovan at the keystone.
Mets recalled INF Danny Mendick from Triple-A Syracuse.
There was some speculation that it could be Mark Vientos getting the call back to the majors following the Eduardo Escobar trade, but it's clear that the Mets want him to play everyday in the minors rather than have him languishing on the big-league bench in a reserve role. Mendick has yet to make an appearance this season for the Mets after signing a one-year, $1 million contract last December. He tore the ACL in his right knee last June and has been working his way back ever since. He's a solid reserve infielder at the highest level.
Salvador Perez was removed from Friday's game against the Rays with a right hamstring cramp.
Perez is officially day-to-day following an early exit from Friday's showdown against the Rays. It doesn't sound like a serious concern, but Kansas City is unlikely to take any chances here, so it's possible he'll wind up sitting out a couple games this weekend to rest and recover.
Edwin Ríos will serve as the Cubs' 27th man for Saturday's London Series opener against the Cardinals.
Ríos provides the Cubs with a pinch-hitting option for the opening contest of the London Series. The 29-year-old slugger is just 2-for-28 across 18 games this season in the majors.
Iván Herrera will serve as the Cardinals' 27th man for Saturday's London Series opener against the Cubs.
Herrera supplies the Cardinals with some extra catching depth and has yet to appear in the majors this season after getting into 11 contests last year.
Guardians sent LHP Daniel Norris outright to Triple-A Columbus.
Norris went unclaimed on waivers after being designated for assignment earlier this week and will presumably stick around as extra left-handed relief depth. The 30-year-old lefty made just one relief appearance for the Guardians.
Kenley Jansen fired a perfect ninth inning on Friday against the White Sox to record his 16th save of the season.
Jansen got the call to protect a two-run lead in the final frame and needed an economical nine pitches (eight strikes) to close it out. He's converted 16 of his 19 save opportunities this season to go along with a solid 2.81 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 30/12 K/BB ratio across 25 2/3 innings (27 appearances).