MLB Player News

The Nationals optioned Alvarez to Triple-A Rochester following Monday's 3-2 loss to Toronto. He allowed one earned run on four hits and three walks while striking out three across 4.1 innings in bulk relief.

Alvarez put together a strong performance out of the bullpen, managing to keep his club in the ballgame after opener Eddy Yean allowed a pair of runs. However, the left-hander didn't show enough to keep his place on the big-league roster. Jake Irvin (shoulder) is nearing a return from the 60-day injured list and could slot into the fifth spot in the rotation the next time Alvarez's turn comes up.

The Cubs selected Wantz's contract from Triple-A Iowa on Monday.

Wantz will provide the Chicago bullpen with a fresh arm capable of covering multiple frames after the Cubs needed three relievers to handle the final four innings of Sunday's 8-7 loss to the Pirates. The 30-year-old righty made one appearance in the big leagues with the Rays earlier in 2026 but has otherwise spent the entire season at the Triple-A level, where he's produced a 5.63 ERA, 1.65 WHIP and 49:26 K:BB over 48 innings.

Petersen is still dealing with soreness in his right forearm after being struck by a comebacker during his relief appearance in Sunday's 5-3 loss to the Padres, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Petersen avoided any structural damage to his forearm but the resulting bruise is still presenting some discomfort for the right-hander. The Marlins are treating him as day-to-day and could look to stay away from him in the first game or two of their series with the Phillies this week.

The Nationals recalled Schultz from Triple-A Rochester on Monday.

Schultz has logged 30.2 innings for the Nationals this season, posting a 5.87 ERA and 31:11 K:BB. The 28-year-old will operate in middle relief out of the Washington bullpen.

The Nationals designated Krook for assignment Monday.

Krook walked all three batters he faced and was charged with two runs in Sunday's win over the Diamondbacks, and he finds himself off the 26-man and 40-man rosters a day later. Paxton Schultz will absorb Krook's spot on the roster and in the bullpen.

Lee struck out one and gave up a solo home run in one inning of relief Sunday to record his 20th hold of the season in an extra-innings win over the Orioles.

Atlanta's staff had a shutout going until Lee served up a homer to Pete Alonso in the eighth inning, but they didn't lose the lead until Raisel Iglesias blew the save in the ninth. Lee has been tagged for at least one run in four of his last five appearances, but even after that skid he still sports a 2.27 ERA on the season, along with a 0.76 WHIP and 60:8 K:BB over 47.2 innings, and he remains the top left-handed option in manager Walt Weiss' bullpen.

Thornton (heel) struck out two batters and allowed one hit over a scoreless inning of relief in Sunday's 8-7 loss to the Pirates.

Thornton was forced out of his prior appearance in Monday's 8-6 extra-inning loss to Detroit when he was struck on the left foot by a comebacker, with the reliever later getting diagnosed with a heel contusion. He was able to avoid a stint on the injured list, and after a few days of rest and recovery, Thornton stepped in to pitch a scoreless eighth inning in the Cubs' final game in Pittsburgh. Thornton has ascended into a key late-inning role in an injury-plagued Cubs bullpen, but he could fall down the pecking order soon. Daniel Palencia (elbow) is close to beginning a rehab assignment and could be back from the injured list before the middle of August, and Chicago could also add another high-leverage piece or two to its bullpen ahead of next Monday's trade deadline.

Alvarez is slated to work in a bulk-relief role Monday versus the Blue Jays, Mark Zuckerman of NatsJournal.com reports.

Eddy Yean will take the ball first as an opener, but Alvarez will absorb the brunt of the innings for Washington on Monday. Alvarez has struggled in his last three outings (two starts, one bulk relief appearance), yielding 11 runs over 12 innings.

Yean will serve as the opening pitcher for the Nationals in Monday's game versus the Blue Jays, Kyle Williams of TheBanner.com reports.

Yean will draw his first MLB start after tossing 5.1 scoreless innings covering his first three appearances with Washington. He'll likely cover an inning or two before giving way to left-hander Andrew Alvarez, who is in line to work as the Nationals' bulk reliever.

O'Brien was unavailable to pitch in Sunday's 5-3 extra-inning loss to the Reds due to illness, John Denton of Roundtable.io reports.

The illness provides an explanation as to why O'Brien didn't appear in the ninth inning when the game was knotted up. The Cardinals closer should be considered day-to-day. If a save chance arises Monday versus the Cubs and O'Brien remains unavailable, George Soriano or Ryne Stanek could be used.