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Veteran outfielder Coco Crisp is heading back to his original team, as the Oakland Athletics traded him to the Cleveland Indians in exchange for left-handed pitcher Colt Hynes.

The Athletics announced the deal after the Associated Press (h/t ESPN.com) first reported it Tuesday night. Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reported Crisp will join the Indians on Thursday and be added to the roster on Friday.

According to Jon Heyman of Today’s Knuckleball, the Indians will only pay for around $500,000 of Crisp’s salary, and the A’s are responsible for the rest.

Crisp is hitting .234 with 11 home runs, 47 RBI and seven stolen bases, which represents a solid bounce-back campaign after an injury-plagued 2015 season that saw him hit just .175 in 44 contests.

The 36-year-old veteran possesses some pop, has decent speed and is a slightly above-average defensive player in left field in terms of defensive runs saved, per FanGraphs.

Crisp also has 31 games of playoff experience, including a World Series ring, which he won with the Boston Red Sox in 2007. Cleveland traded the Los Angeles native to Boston in 2006 after three-plus seasons.

While Crisp has enjoyed some decent years since, including time with the Kansas City Royals and A’s, he has never returned to the form he displayed during his final two campaigns with Cleveland. He hit .299 with an average of 16 homers, 70 RBI and 18 stolen bases per year in that span.

Although the Indians aren’t expecting that type of production, Crisp provides outfield depth. Rajai Davis, Tyler Naquin and Lonnie Chisenhall represent a below-average starting outfield to begin with, while Brandon Guyer and Abraham Almonte sit behind them.

Michael Brantley is out for the season due to a right shoulder injury, while Almonte is ineligible for the postseason due to an 80-game suspension he served for performance-enhancing drugs.

That left Cleveland with limited outfield flexibility entering the playoffs, but Crisp helps alleviate that.

He won’t be a difference-maker in winning the World Series, but having a player with his level of big-game experience should be a big help for a young Indians team.

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With the 2016 Major League Baseball regular season quickly approaching its conclusion, the full playoff schedule was officially released Tuesday.  

As seen in this tweet, courtesy of MLB Communications, the American League and National League Wild Card Games will take place on Oct. 4 and 5, respectively, and the World Series will begin on Oct. 25:

TBS will be the exclusive television carrier of AL postseason games, while the NL will be split between ESPN, FS1 and MLB Network before Fox takes over for the World Series.

Much like last year, the World Series will utilize a 2-3-2 format with Games 1 and 2 being played in the AL ballpark, Games 3, 4 and 5 if necessary taking place in the NL venue and Games 6 and 7 occurring at the AL field if needed because of the American League’s All-Star Game triumph.

Should at least one of the AL and NL Division Series go the distance in addition to the NL Championship Series, it is possible that the only day without any postseason baseball prior to the World Series will be Oct. 24.

That format ensures there will be no more than two off days during the World Series, and the latest it can end is Nov. 2.

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The Houston Astros released outfielder Carlos Gomez on Friday.

Upon designating Gomez for assignment Aug. 10, Houston had 10 days to work out a trade or assign him to the minor leagues, but instead the 30-year-old is now a free agent.

The 2016 season has been the worst of the Dominican Republic native’s MLB career, as he is hitting just .210 with five home runs, 29 RBI and 13 stolen bases.

Houston acquired Gomez in a deal with the Milwaukee Brewers prior to last season’s trade deadline, and he struggled down the stretch to the tune of a .242 batting average, four homers, 13 RBI and 10 steals in 41 games.

Gomez is a couple of years removed from a pair of career seasons. He made the NL All-Star team in both 2013 and 2014, and he hit .284 with an average with 24 home runs, 73 RBI and 37 stolen bases per season over the course of that two-year span.

The former Gold Glove Award winner has experienced a steep fall from grace since then, but he is a five-tool player when he is on his game.

Joe Frisaro of MLB.com reported the Miami Marlins have shown interest in signing him. MLB Network’s Jon Morosi added the following regarding a potential fit in Miami:

With slugger Giancarlo Stanton likely out for the season due to a groin injury, the playoff-contending Marlins desperately need outfield help.

Gomez may not help much if his 2016 form persists, but he could be a value signing should he recapture some of the magic he displayed in 2013 and 2014.

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New York Mets pitcher Steven Matz was held out of an Aug. 19 start against the San Francisco Giants due to a shoulder injury that was determined to be tightness. He is on the disabled list and it is unclear when he will return to the mound.

Continue for updates.

Matz Placed on 15-Day DL

Monday, Aug. 22

The Mets announced the roster move, noting Rob Gsellman was recalled in his place.

Matz’s Diagnosis Revealed

Monday, Aug. 22

James Wagner of the New York Times reported that Matz’s examination showed “no structural damage.” He was diagnosed with a tight shoulder.

Matz to Miss Start with Shoulder ‘Discomfort’

Friday, Aug. 19

According to Adam Rubin of ESPN, Matz will be replaced by Seth Lugo on Friday.

Matz called the injury “discomfort” and said he is not concerned about it being a long-term issue.

Per Rubin, Matz also described how he picked up the ailment that will keep him off the mound Friday:

I was throwing on flat ground and I felt a little twinge in my shoulder. It was bothering me a little bit. And then, next day, I was throwing and I was still feeling it, so I didn’t throw my bullpen, hoping it would get better. I was just kind of taking it day by day. There’s some discomfort in there. I think you go through stuff all the time throughout a season, but it didn’t respond the way I’d like it to.

Matz Has Emerged as Key Piece to Mets Roster 

The 25-year-old lefty is enjoying a strong season with a 9-8 record, 3.40 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 129 strikeouts in 132.1 innings.

Every win is key for the Mets at this point in the season as they attempt to close a considerable gap in the standings, and being without Matz could go a long way toward preventing them from playing postseason baseball in 2016.

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Miami Marlins outfielder Ichiro Suzuki cemented his place in baseball lore Sunday, as he became the 30th player in MLB history to record 3,000 career hits with a triple in the top of the seventh inning against the Colorado Rockies:  

MLB.com shared video of the historic moment:

The 42-year-old veteran racked up 1,278 hits during his career in Japan, giving him a total of 4,278 hits in major professional baseball. 

Pete Rose is Major League Baseball’s all-time hits leader with 4,256 hits, and while some consider Ichiro the Hit King due to his exploits in Japan, Rose disagrees, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today:

It sounds like in Japan they’re trying to make me the Hit Queen. I’m not trying to take anything away from Ichiro, he’s had a Hall of Fame career, but the next thing you know, they’ll be counting his high-school hits.

I don’t think you’re going to find anybody with credibility say that Japanese baseball is equivalent to major-league baseball. There are too many guys that fail here, and then become household names there, like Tuffy Rhodes. How can he not do anything here, and hit (a record-tying) 55 home runs (in 2001) over there?

It has something to do with the caliber of personnel.

Regardless of Rose’s position, Ichiro’s 3,000th MLB hit put an exclamation point on a career that likely has him ticketed for the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York, one day.

Ichiro is in the midst of his 16th MLB season, and while he is no longer the same player who made 10 straight All-Star teams and won 10 consecutive Gold Gloves, a Rookie of the Year award and an American League MVP award with the Seattle Mariners from 2001 through 2010, he continues to be a useful asset.

As the fourth outfielder for a Marlins team that is in the thick of the National League playoff race, he entered Sunday hitting .318 for the season. Players often back in to their 3,000th hit by virtue of hanging around for too long, but Ichiro has proven this season that he is still a capable performer at baseball’s highest level.

While Ichiro could decide to retire at the end of the 2016 campaign, the Marlins have a club option to retain him for 2017 should he opt to continue playing. Based on how well he has fared this year, the organization has every reason to keep him around if he’s willing to do so.

If Ichiro does play in 2017, he has a great chance to crack the top 20 in career MLB hits, which would bolster his Hall of Fame resume even further. Earlier this year, Ichiro told Marly Rivera of ESPN that he would like to play until he is 50.

Due to his unique hitting style and consistent production, Ichiro is a one-of-a-kind player. After reaching 3,000 hits, there is no denying his status as one of the greatest hitters to ever play the game.

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The Washington Nationals will be without one of their key hitters and leaders in the coming days, as first baseman Ryan Zimmerman was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a wrist injury. 

Continue for updates.

Latest on Zimmerman’s Wrist Injury

Saturday, Aug. 6

The Nationals announced that Zimmerman was placed on the DL retroactive to Aug. 1, and his injury is officially being characterized as a left wrist contusion.

The 31-year-old veteran is in the midst of a down year, as he is hitting just .222 with 12 home runs and 38 RBI for a Nats squad that is looking to return to the postseason after missing out in 2015.

In addition to his inconsistency at the plate, Zimmerman has struggled with injuries, as he previously spent time on the disabled list with a strained rib.

Zimmerman has been on the DL often over the past few seasons, having played in only 95 games last year and just 61 games in 2014.

Prior to that three-year stretch, Zimmerman was as automatic and reliable as any player in Major League Baseball.

From 2009 through 2013, the former All-Star hit .275 or better with 25 or more home runs in four of those five campaigns.

He has fallen off since then largely because of injuries, but he is still a valuable piece in Washington because of his experience and the fact that he has been through plenty of ups and downs over the years with the Nationals.

With Zimmerman on the DL, Clint Robinson figures to be the primary fill-in at first base. He hasn’t hit for a great average this season, but he has some pop, as he has produced a stat line of a .212 batting average with five homers and 22 RBI.

The fact that Zimmerman is having a down year means his replacement doesn’t necessarily have to go on a tear in order to make up for his lost statistical production.

Washington is fortunate to have a stacked lineup featuring stars such as Bryce Harper, Daniel Murphy and Wilson Ramos, among others, so even though Zimmerman’s absence means a loss of depth and leadership, there is enough talent in place to fill the void.

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The Miami Marlins beefed up their bullpen Saturday, as they reportedly acquired reliever Hunter Cervenka in a trade with the Atlanta Braves.

Tommy Stokke of FanRag Sports initially reported the trade. Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports later confirmed the move.

The Braves announced they acquired a pair of prospects in pitcher Michael Mader and shortstop Anfernee Seymour to complete the deal:

Jon Heyman of MLB Network had the following to say regarding Atlanta’s haul:

Since the non-waiver trade deadline has passed, the 26-year-old left-hander must clear waivers in order for the deal to be completed.

Cervenka is in the midst of his rookie season for the Braves, posting a 1-0 record with a 3.18 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 35 strikeouts in 34 innings.

He is especially tough on lefties, who are hitting just .145 against him.

Should Cervenka clear waivers, he will join a Marlins bullpen anchored by closer A.J. Ramos and setup man Fernando Rodney. He’ll also become just the second southpaw in their pen along with Mike Dunn.

The Braves are the worst team in the National League, and dealing Cervenka is the latest in a long line of trades meant to build for the future.

Conversely, Miami is tied for the second wild-card spot with the St. Louis Cardinals, and adding another bullpen option gives manager Don Mattingly more of an ability to play matchups.

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Mired in the worst slump of his career, New York Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira announced his retirement from baseball Friday, effective at the end of the 2016 season, per Pedro Gomez of ESPN:

ESPN’s Buster Olney first reported the news, and Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports confirmed it.

The 36-year-old slugger has been hampered by injuries all season, and he’s hitting just .198 with 10 home runs and 27 RBI. Teixeira hasn’t appeared in more than 123 games in a single season since 2011. He missed nearly all of the 2013 campaign with a wrist ailment, and his 2015 season was cut short due to a fracture in his leg.

Tex was named to his third All-Star team and was enjoying a fine year prior to the leg injury; he was hitting .255 with 31 home runs and 79 RBI in just 111 games. That production lent hope that he would be a key part of the Yanks lineup in 2016, but his stats have taken a nosedive.

The Maryland native was set to hit free agency after the season, and a return to New York was in question due to the impending return of Greg Bird from injury in 2017.

At 54-54 and fourth place in the AL East, the Yankees waved the white flag on the 2016 season after dealing closer Aroldis Chapman, reliever Andrew Miller and outfielder Carlos Beltran for minor league talent.

Teixeira, who played for the Rangers, Braves, Angels and Yankees, has a .269 career batting average with 404 home runs and 1,281 RBI in his 14-year career. He is one of just five switch-hitters in MLB history to go yard at least 400 times.

Teixeira is also regarded as one of the best defensive first basemen of his era, netting five Gold Gloves. He’s likely to fall a tier below the Hall of Fame, though he’s had an excellent career.

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The Milwaukee Brewers parted ways with one of their top bullpen arms Monday, as they traded Will Smith to the San Francisco Giants for Phil Bickford and Andrew Susac. 

The Giants announced the trade after Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports first reported the deal.

Since spending the first two months of the season on the disabled list with a knee injury, Smith has been steady in relief, posting a 3.68 ERA, 22 strikeouts and a 1.23 WHIP in 22 innings pitched.

The 27-year-old lefty has spent parts of three seasons with the Brew Crew after two years as a member of the Kansas City Royals, and he has developed into a dominant force out of the pen.

Smith came into his own last season when he posted a 2.70 ERA and struck out a career-high 91 batters in 63.1 innings. He was also a workhorse in 2014, appearing in a National League-high 78 games.

While the Georgia native boasts an electric arm, he became an obvious trade candidate for the Brewers since they are building for the future. With Smith set to receive a raise in arbitration during the offseason, getting something in return for him and saving money was a logical maneuver for a Milwaukee team that is loading up for the future.

As the Royals have proved in each of the past two seasons, having a strong bullpen is a big key to making a deep run in the playoffs and winning a World Series championship.

Kansas City used the triumvirate of Wade Davis, Kelvin Herrera and Greg Holland to do precisely that, and the Giants took a page out of that book by bolstering their pen with the addition of Smith.

Smith may not be a make-or-break player in terms of winning a championship by himself, but when added to an already strong team overall, he provides an element that could be valuable near the back end of the bullpen.

San Francisco hasn’t gotten much production out of its lefty relievers so far this season, as Javier Lopez is struggling with a 3.93 ERA over 18.1 innings. Smith stands to fill the role of the No. 1 left-hander out of the Giants bullpen down the stretch.

Perhaps the one downside with Smith is that he doesn’t have much experience in high-pressure situations since he has never appeared in the playoffs. However, if he continues to perform like he has thus far in 2016, he may be one of the best under-the-radar additions in Major League Baseball prior to the deadline.

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After leaving Saturday’s contest against the Colorado Rockies in the sixth inning, New York Mets outfielder Yoenis Cespedes is not in the lineup Sunday due to a quad injury.

Continue for updates.

Mets Hoping to Avoid Cespedes DL Stint

Sunday, July 31

According to Marc Carig of Newsday, Cespedes was held out due to “precautionary reasons.”

Per Maria Guardado of NJ.com, the Mets are hoping to avoid placing Cespedes on the disabled list despite the nagging ailment.

The 30-year-old Cuban is in the midst of another All-Star season, hitting .291 with 22 home runs and 58 RBI in the heart of New York’s batting order.

He spearheaded the Mets’ surprising run to the World Series last season, hitting .287 with 17 homers and 44 RBI in 57 regular-season games down the stretch after coming over in a trade from the Detroit Tigers in 2015.

The Mets are in danger of missing the playoffs, as they are 7.5 games behind the Washington Nationals in the NL East and 2.5 games behind the Miami Marlins and St. Louis Cardinals for the final wild-card spot in the National League.

New York is just 3-7 in its past 10 games, and it ranks 29th in Major League Baseball in runs scored.

That number isn’t likely to improve if Cespedes continues to miss games, and it will put added pressure on replacement options like Alejandro De Aza and Brandon Nimmo to produce in his absence.

Cespedes has been one of the best pure hitters in baseball over the past two seasons, and New York has a significant uphill climb toward the playoffs if he is unable to get closer to 100 percent in the near future.

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