Texas placed Jon Gray on waivers, with the 33-year-old right-hander going unclaimed and continuing to occupy a $3 million slice of the Rangers’ payroll this season. The move could be revisited before the Aug. 31 cutoff, as Texas weighs the CBT consequences while trying to stay beneath penalties tied to overages.

The club has previously used waivers to manage payroll, a tactic echoed last year with Robbie Grossman and Travis Jankowski—Grossman claimed by Kansas City, Jankowski remaining with Texas after an unclaimed waiver.

At the trade deadline, Texas added Danny Coulombe, Phil Maton and Merrill Kelly to bolster relief depth. Gray has struggled, posting a 7.71 ERA across six bullpen appearances since returning from a spring-hand fracture, including a rough 2 1/3-innings stint in a 14-2 loss to Toronto.

Offense has sunk post-deadline, and the bullpen is being asked to adjust, per Bruce Bochy. Texas has four straight losses in a slide that complicates postseason math and payroll considerations as Marcus Semien heads for X-rays after a pitch hit him.

Overall, the waiver move underscores a payroll-management tilt while Texas navigates late-season roster volatility and tries to salvage meaningful innings from a bullpen-impaired stretch run.

The New York Mets have recalled Luisangel Acuña from Triple-A Syracuse, adding depth to their roster ahead of a split doubleheader against Baltimore. The 23-year-old utility player, brother of Braves star Ronald Acuña Jr., returns after a productive stint in the minors where he hit .286 over 45 at-bats. Mets manager Carlos Mendoza emphasized Acuña's initial contributions to the team earlier in the season, suggesting that this recall is a strategic move to enhance the lineup as they strive for victory. In a corresponding roster maneuver, Travis Jankowski has been designated for assignment.

The New York Mets faced another crushing defeat, losing 12-1 to the Pittsburgh Pirates, marking their 13th loss in 16 games. Starting pitcher Frankie Montas struggled significantly, allowing back-to-back home runs in the first inning by Oneil Cruz and Tommy Pham, a double whammy that set the tone for the game. Despite a brief glimmer of hope with a solo home run from Luis Torrens, the Mets' offense was stagnant, with only seven hits and failure to capitalize in critical moments, going hitless with runners in scoring positions. This game capped a disastrous series for the Mets, who were outscored 30-4 over three games. With the team’s morale at an all-time low, they will have a rest day before facing the Milwaukee Brewers.

The New York Mets are making moves to shake up their struggling roster amidst a dismal stretch of losing nine of their last ten games. Rookie infielder Luisangel Acuña, bringing family ties to the spotlight as Ronald Acuña Jr.'s brother, has been sent to the minors after a promising start but a recent slump. The Mets also signed left-handed reliever Richard Lovelady and promoted outfielder Travis Jankowski from Triple-A, who aims to provide some stability in a faltering lineup.

Despite Acuña's early success, with a .308 batting average and six steals, he has fallen to .241, limiting him to pinch-running roles. Meanwhile, the Mets are anxious for ace pitcher Kodai Senga to return from a hamstring injury, as he has been a bright spot with a 1.47 ERA this season. The team is also set to welcome back right-hander Frankie Montas, whose return from the injured list is highly anticipated. With the Mets looking to regroup, the upcoming series against Atlanta presents a crucial opportunity for the team to regain some momentum.

The New York Mets are experiencing a season-worst slump, leading to increased scrutiny on manager Carlos Mendoza and president David Stearns. In a bid to inject some much-needed stability, veteran outfielder Travis Jankowski returns to the team, following a previous stint that ended in 2022 due to injury. Despite a lackluster batting average, Jankowski is known for his speed and defensive versatility, making him a valuable asset in late-game situations.

His ability to adapt roles—from pinch running to defensive replacement—adds depth to a roster currently struggling with situational base running and defensive lapses. Jankowski's presence serves as a reminder of teamwork and selflessness, emphasizing that leadership often transcends statistics. This move signals the Mets' commitment to using experienced players to combat their recent setbacks and restore clarity in a chaotic season.