MLB Player News

The Nationals recalled Poulin from Triple-A Rochester on Saturday.

Poulin will return to Washington's bullpen after giving up three earned runs in five innings since his demotion to Triple-A in late May. The 29-year-old southpaw owns a 3.28 ERA and 1.46 WHIP through 24.2 frames with the Nationals this season and will presumably work in middle relief as long as he's with the big club.

The Pirates recalled Mattson from Triple-A Indianapolis on Saturday, Danny Demilio of PittsburghBaseballNow.com reports.

Mattson will rejoin the Pirates' bullpen after posting a 1.86 ERA and 1.45 WHIP with 11 strikeouts in 9.2 innings since being optioned to Triple-A on May 20. Antwone Kelly was optioned to Indianapolis in a corresponding move.

Walker struck out one in a scoreless inning during Friday's 5-1 loss to the Cubs.

Walker was recalled from Triple-A Sacramento on Friday and immediately made an appearance for San Francisco. The right-hander posted a 6.46 ERA and 1.89 WHIP in 15.1 innings before being optioned to Sacramento on May 10, though he was solid in his return to the big leagues. Walker threw 12 of his 16 pitches for strikes and will attempt to build on the performance in hopes of earning more high-leverage opportunities moving forward.

Atlanta recalled Molina from Triple-A Gwinnett on Saturday.

Molina will return to the majors to give Atlanta's bullpen some extra depth as Spencer Strider (elbow) moves to the injured list. Molina pitched two shutout innings during his lone appearance with the big club May 1 but still carries a 6.82 ERA and 1.59 WHIP across his MLB career.

Stanek (2-1) was charged with the loss and a blown save Friday against the Twins after allowing three runs on three hits (all home runs) across 1.1 innings. He struck out one.

Stanek had given up just two home runs over 29 outings and 26 innings this season prior to Friday, but he was taken deep by Kody Clemens, Royce Lewis and Brooks Lee. Clemens was the first batter he faced with two outs and two men on base in the seventh inning, and the Minnesota utility man launched his 10th homer of the season to tie the game. Stanek never regained his composure, allowing solo shots to Lewis and Lee in the eighth frame. Despite this subpar outing, Stanek should continue to be a late-inning option for the Cardinals. He owns a 5.60 ERA but has 11 holds, although he's also gone 1-for-3 in save chances, so ninth-inning duties probably aren't on the horizon for him.

Pagan (hamstring) is scheduled to undergo an MRI on Saturday, MLB.com reports.

This is expected to be a check-in for Pagan to see how much healing has taken place. The Reds really need their closer back, as the bullpen lost another game Friday. Pending the results of the MRI, Pagan could begin a rehab assignment next week.

Williams picked up the save Friday against Atlanta. He allowed two hits and no walks while striking out two and was not charged with a run over 1.1 innings.

The veteran closer was called upon with two outs and runners on second and third in the eighth inning and allowed an inherited runner to score on an infield single, but he then induced a flyout and returned for the ninth to finish off his second save in as many days. Williams has given up just one run with a 12:4 K:BB across his past six appearances and has been scored upon just twice in his past 17 outings dating back to April 26. His 5.01 ERA and 1.50 WHIP remain inflated, but Williams has still secured 10 of 11 save chances and has a 14.3 K/9 across 23.1 innings this year.

Agnos (0-2) allowed four runs (three earned) on five hits, two walks and a hit batsman while striking out two over 2.2 innings of relief, taking the loss Friday versus the Athletics.

Agnos returned to the bullpen after making a start versus the Brewers last Saturday. The 25-year-old was responsible for the Athletics' two-run frames in the sixth and eighth innings. With a 7.80 ERA, 1.66 WHIP and 30:18 K:BB through 42.2 innings over 18 appearances (two starts), Agnos probably won't get many more chances to start. Sean Sullivan was called up Friday to make his big-league debut and tossed three scoreless innings before leaving the game due to an illness, but the last spot in the Rockies' rotation will likely go to Sullivan until Tanner Gordon (hip) is ready to return.

Assad (4-1) allowed three hits and a walk while striking out five over six scoreless innings to earn the win over the Giants on Friday.

Assad received a favorable matchup for his return to the Cubs' rotation, and he made good on it. He's tossed 12.1 scoreless innings against the Giants over his last two appearances since rejoining the big club June 6. The right-hander looks poised to get a stretch of starts while Jameson Taillon (hamstring) and Matthew Boyd (knee/shoulder) remain out. Over 10 appearances (four starts) this season, Assad has a 3.99 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 24:9 K:BB through 38.1 innings. Assad is penciled in for a home start versus the Rockies next week.

The Nationals optioned Cornelio to Triple-A Rochester on Friday.

Cornelio will head back to the minors after allowing four earned runs in 6.1 innings across his two appearances since joining the big club Sunday. He now owns a 6.48 ERA and 1.92 WHIP with the Nationals but remains an option to make a spot start or provide length out of the bullpen later this summer.