MLB Player News

Bukauskas (neck) began a rehab assignment with Triple-A Nashville on Tuesday, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Bukauskas has been on the injured list since May 20 with a cervical strain. It's unclear how long the team plans on keeping Bukauskas on assignment, but considering how beat up the Brewers' pitching staff already is, it could be a quick minor-league stint for the 26-year-old reliever.

The Nationals designated Machado for assignment Tuesday, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.

Machado was expected to lose his spot on the Nats' 40-man roster, and the promotion of Jordan Weems on Tuesday will officially force Machado off the team. The 30-year-old reliever hasn't found much success in the majors this season with an 8.47 ERA and 1.76 WHIP. However, he's performed much better at the Triple-A level, which gives him a good chance at latching on with another organization.

Washington recalled Weems from Triple-A Rochester on Tuesday.

Weems will jump back into the Nationals' bullpen ahead of Tuesday night's series opener against the Diamondbacks. He worked 2.1 scoreless innings over two appearances in a prior major-league stint and had allowed just one hit across his last 6.1 frames at Triple-A.

Atlanta acquired Heller from the Rays on Tuesday in exchange for international bonus pool money and optioned him to Triple-A Gwinnett.

Heller was designated for assignment by Tampa Bay this past Friday, having been stuck in a holding pattern at Triple-A Durham. The 31-year-old right-hander hasn't appeared in a game at the MLB level since 2020.

Legumina (ankle) is set to begin a rehab assignment Tuesday with Triple-A Louisville.

Legumina is recovered from the right ankle contusion that sent him to the injured list in mid-May and could be an option again for the Reds' bullpen by the weekend. He had pitched to a 4.35 ERA with nine strikeouts in 10.1 innings of relief for Cincinnati prior to the IL stint.

Tonkin (neck) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Gwinnett on Tuesday.

Tonkin has missed the last week-plus with a neck injury but is feeling well enough to test things out in a rehab setting. He's eligible for activation on Thursday, so he might need just one rehab appearance before rejoining Atlanta's bullpen.

Luetge cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Gwinnett on Tuesday.

Luetge lost his spot on the 40-man roster after nine ineffective relief appearances, but he will remain in the organization. The veteran left-hander will try to get back on track with Gwinnett.

Nardi struck out two in 1.1 perfect innings of relief Monday to record his fourth hold of the season in a win over the Royals.

The 24-year-old southpaw is quietly having a breakout campaign in the Miami bullpen. Nardi hasn't given up an earned run since the beginning of May, a stretch that features an 18:4 K:BB through 14.2 innings. All four of his holds have come in his last 10 appearances, but his climb toward higher-leverage work has also coincided with an injured list stint for A.J. Puk (elbow). With Tanner Scott and Steven Okert also ahead of Nardi on the depth chart from the left side, it could be tough for him to maintain any fantasy value. That could also make him an intriguing trade chip later in the summer, however.

Cabrera (1-1) allowed a run on two hits and a walk in one-third of an inning, taking the loss Monday versus the Rangers.

Cabrera couldn't keep the game tied in the bottom of the ninth inning, giving up a walk-off single to Nathaniel Lowe. Things have gone sideways for Cabrera since the start of May -- he's allowed nine runs with a 10:11 K:BB over his last 11.1 innings. The southpaw has mostly seen low-leverage assignments while posting a 4.70 ERA, 1.52 WHIP and 29:14 K:BB over 23 innings this season. He's added three holds and a blown save.

Diaz earned a save against the Brewers on Monday, striking out all three batters he faced in a perfect inning of work.

Rookie starter Andrew Abbott and a pair of relievers held Milwaukee scoreless for eight innings, and Diaz was asked to complete the shutout in the ninth. He did so with ease, firing nine of 12 pitches for a strike and getting each of Christian Yelich, Brian Anderson and Luis Urias to go down swinging. Diaz is a perfect 14-for-14 in save chances on the season, and he hasn't been scored upon in eight straight outings. After registering an impressive 1.84 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 11.7 K/9 as a rookie last season, Diaz has been even better in his sophomore campaign, posting a 1.54 ERA, 0.86 WHIP and jaw-dropping 17.0 K/9 across 23.1 frames.