The Oakland Athletics placed first baseman/outfielder Seth Brown on the paternity list on Wednesday and recalled third baseman Armando Alvarez from Triple-A Las Vegas in a corresponding move. Brown will now be away from the team for up to three days. The 32-year-old left-handed-hitting veteran is really only an option for outfield and corner-infield depth in AL-only leagues while playing for the A's. In 240 at-bats in his sixth big-league season in Oakland, he's hitting just .213 (51-for-240) with 10 home runs, 24 RBI and 21 runs scored in 83 games played. Even for the rebuilding A's, Smith isn't an everyday player despite hitting a career-high 25 home runs two seasons ago in 2022.

Free-agent third baseman J.D. Davis signed a minor-league deal with the Baltimore Orioles on Wednesday. This will be Davis' third team of the season after starting the 2024 campaign with the Oakland Athletics and also spending time with the New York Yankees. In Baltimore, he's expected to start at Triple-A Norfolk while giving the O's some depth at third base with Jordan Westburg (hand) and Jorge Mateo (elbow) out for extended time due to injuries. The 31-year-old veteran hasn't made much of an impact with his bat for the A's and Yankees this year, slashing only .218/.293/.338 with four home runs, six RBI and 13 runs scored in 142 at-bats. The former third-round selection by the Houston Astros in 2014 out of Cal State Fullerton is unlikely to be much more than a bench bat if he makes it back to the big leagues in Baltimore to close out the season.

Los Angeles Dodgers right-handed reliever Brusdar Graterol (hamstring) did not have the kind of season debut he was hoping for in his outing on Tuesday night against the visiting Philadelphia Phillies. Graterol had yet to pitch in 2024 because of a shoulder issue that cropped up toward the end of spring training. But after his eighth pitch of his season debut, Graterol suffered a Grade 3 right-hamstring strain, according to manager Dave Roberts. The 25-year-old will head back to the injured list, and while the Dodgers aren't saying his season is over, the odds of Graterol returning are slim given the time left on the calendar. It's a big loss for LA's bullpen, as Graterol has emerged as one of Roberts' most trusted relief options in recent seasons. Graterol used crutches in the home clubhouse after Tuesday's game and will probably just be hoping he can help the team in the postseason at this point.

Cleveland Guardians right-hander Tanner Bibee (shoulder) could make his return to the rotation and start on Sunday against the division-rival Minnesota Twins if his scheduled bullpen session on Thursday goes well. Bibee isn't on the injured list, but the Guardians chose to skip his last turn through the rotation after he came away with right-shoulder discomfort in his last outing on July 29 against the Detroit Tigers. The 25-year-old has been solid for fantasy managers in 2024, but hell surely be more risky against a tough opponent if he returns this weekend with a possible pitch-count restriction. On the flip side, in Bibee's two starts against Minnesota this year, he's allowed only two earned runs while walking one and striking out 17 in 12 1/3 innings pitched.

Updating a previous report, Chicago Cubs outfielder Cody Bellinger (hamstring, knee) is dealing with a sore hamstring after stepping on first base awkwardly on Tuesday night and hyperextending his knee. Manager Craig Counsell said the Cubs will see how Bellinger feels as the day progresses, but they wanted to give him a day off on Wednesday because of it. With the Cubs also having an off day on Thursday, there's a chance Bellinger will be feeling good enough to start Friday's series opener against the hosting Chicago White Sox. The 29-year-old left-handed slugger has served as the designated hitter in all eight of his games since he returned from a fractured finger on July 30 and hasn't missed a beat at the plate, going 10-for-32 (.313) with two homers, a double and six RBI. Rookie Pete Crow-Armstrong is making another start in center field on Wednesday against the Minnesota Twins.