MLB Player News

Ward gave up three runs on two hits and a walk in an inning of relief in Sunday's loss to the Phillies. He struck out two.

The right-hander served up a three-run homer to Kyle Schwarber in the ninth inning, but the game was already well out of reach for the Nationals. Ward has been tagged for three home runs in his last eight innings, inflating his ERA to 5.23 on the season to go along with a shaky 18.6 percent walk rate. A Rule 5 pick out of the Red Sox system, the rebuilding Nats will live with his growing pains, but Ward isn't likely to see any kind of fantasy-friendly role in 2023.

Brasier said Monday that he has agreed to a minor-league contract with the Dodgers, Rob Bradford of WEEI.com reports.

After being designated for assignment by Boston on May 14 and later released, Brasier had been on the open market for about two weeks before linking up with the Dodgers. The 35-year-old right-hander will likely report to Triple-A Oklahoma City with his new organization, hoping to eventually earn a promotion to Los Angeles at some point later this summer. He turned in a 7.29 ERA and 1.57 WHIP over his 20 relief appearances with Boston this season prior to being cut loose.

McGough struck out one over a scoreless and hitless inning to earn a hold in Sunday's 8-5 loss to Atlanta.

McGough did his job in the eighth inning, but closer Miguel Castro let it slip away in the ninth. McGough faltered early in the season, but he's righted himself and back pitching in high-leverage spots. On May 6, the right-hander was 0-3 with three blown saves and a 5.87 ERA over 15.1 innings. In the same number of innings since then, McGough sports a 0.59 ERA with 20 strikeouts with just five hits allowed.

Weathers (1-4) allowed five runs (four earned) on seven hits and a walk over 1.2 innings Sunday, striking out one and taking a loss against the Cubs.

Weathers gave up one run in the first inning followed by four in the second, including a pair of solo homers. In four starts since returning to the big leagues, he's posted an ugly 7.79 ERA through 17.1 innings. His season ERA has ballooned up to 5.09 to go with a 23:15 K:BB. If Weathers gets another turn in the rotation, it's currently lined up to be in Colorado.

Iglesias issued one walk in a scoreless inning to earn a save against Arizona on Sunday.

Iglesias extended his scoreless streak to 8.1 innings while earning his seventh save in eight chances this season. However, he's posted a lackluster 7:5 K:BB during that span. Iglesias dropped his ERA down to 3.09 through 11.2 frames since returning from a shoulder injury.

Castro (3-2) allowed four runs on two hits and two walks Sunday. He recorded two outs (one strikeout) while blowing a save chance and taking the loss against Atlanta.

Castro entered the ninth inning with a one-run lead and coughed up a go-ahead grand slam. He was riding a 10.1-inning scoreless streak since May 7 when he gave up a homer and blew a save against Washington. The 28-year-old's ERA spiked to 3.46 with a 23:10 K:BB through 26 frames.

Alvarado (elbow) is expected to continue his minor-league rehab assignment Tuesday with Double-A Reading before potentially being activated from the 15-day injured list, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

The veteran left-hander made his first rehab outing Saturday with Triple-A Lehigh Valley and fired a scoreless inning. Alvarado will require at least one more appearance in the minors, and if all goes well Tuesday he could be back with the Phillies by the end of the week.

Bednar picked up the save in Sunday's 2-1 victory over St. Louis, tossing a scoreless ninth in which he allowed one hit and zero walks while striking out one.

Bednar locked down the ninth inning for a second consecutive night and is now 13-for-14 in save opportunities this season. He's given up runs in just two of his 24 appearances and sports a 1.13 ERA, 0.75 WHIP and 30:1 K:BB across 24 innings. The right-hander is just six saves away from tying his career-best mark, which he set last year during his first full season as a closer.

San Francisco recalled Beck from Triple-A Sacramento on Sunday, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

Beck will rejoin the Giants as a replacement on the active roster for lefty Alex Wood, who was placed on the 15-day injured list with a back strain. The Giants haven't named formal replacements in the rotation for Wood or Ross Stripling (back), but Sean Manaea should be the top candidate to fill one of those starting roles, while Jakob Junis or Beck look like the top contenders for the other spot. Beck pitched well over three extended relief appearances with San Francisco prior to being sent down to Triple-A and pitched an inning for Sacramento on Saturday before being recalled.

The Brewers optioned Cousins to Triple-A Nashville on Sunday.

Cousins will cede his spot in the Milwaukee bullpen to lefty Bennett Sousa, who was recalled from Nashville in a corresponding move. The right-hander was sent back to the minors after he failed to record an out while allowing two earned runs on two hits and a walk in his relief appearance in Saturday's 10-8 win over the Reds.