St. Louis Cardinals reliever John King (oblique) was placed on the 15-day IL on Wednesday with a left oblique strain. Severity is not yet known. If the oblique strain is a Grade 1, expect King to miss only 2-3 weeks. A Grade 2 oblique strain could mean 6-8 weeks on the IL and possibly season-ending. Further testing (MRI) will show the Cardinals' next course of action. Since the All-Star break, King has only allowed three earned runs over his last seven outings, logging four strikeouts and only one walk. RHP Gordon Graceffo has been called up to take King's bullpen spot.

The Texas Rangers optioned left-hander John King to Triple-A Round Rock on Wednesday. The team also re-signed right-hander Dominic Leone to a minor-league deal and assigned him to Round Rock. Outfielder Dustin Harris' option was transferred from Round Rock to Double-A Frisco. The Rangers would like to see King work in the minors to begin the 2023 season after he posted a 5.06 ERA, 1.78 WHIP, four walks and 12 strikeouts in 10 2/3 innings during the Cactus League this spring. The 28-year-old southpaw reliever has a 4.01 ERA (3.91 FIP), 1.35 WHIP and weak 17 percent strikeout rate in his three seasons with the Rangers. King is well off the fantasy radar.