MLB Player News

Long allowed two hits and a walk with two strikeouts across two innings in Wednesday's 8-0 loss to the Dodgers.

Long worked as a starter prior to a back strain that landed him on the injured list. He returned to a bullpen role Wednesday and delivered decent pitching in the fifth and sixth innings. The 26-year-old doesn't have a clear path back to the rotation without injuries arising, so he should be expected to provide multiple innings in relief going forward. He's pitched to a 5.19 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 27:8 K:BB through 26 innings this year.

Leone has allowed four runs (two earned) in his last four innings spanning five appearances.

In that span, the right-hander has yielded five hits and five walks while striking out five. He's had just one clean outing in that stretch. Leone has been solid in the middle innings with a 1.61 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, six holds and two blown saves across 22.1 innings, but he's experienced some regression after pitching incredibly after he was called up June 1.

Machado was recalled by the Nationals on Thursday, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

The Nationals had to make several changes to their roster Thursday with a handful of players landing on the COVID-19 injured list. Machado will give the team some extra bullpen depth, but his 12.54 ERA in 9.1 career MLB innings doesn't exactly inspire much confidence.

Abbott was optioned to Triple-A Iowa on Thursday, Maddie Lee of NBC Sports Chicago reports.

Abbott was recalled by the Cubs on Tuesday, but he'll return to the minors after he allowed three runs on three hits and two walks in one inning of relief during Wednesday's loss to the Reds. He could rejoin the Cubs as a low-leverage reliever at some point later in the campaign

Voth was placed on the COVID-19 injured list Thursday, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.

Voth returned from a broken nose in mid-June, but he's struggled to limit run production recently and has given up eight runs in 2.2 innings across his last three appearances. It's not clear whether the right-hander has tested positive for COVID-19, but he'll be away from the team while he's in the league's health and safety protocols.

Hudson was placed on the COVID-19 injured list Thursday, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.

It's not yet clear whether Hudson has tested positive for COVID-19 or whether he's deemed a close contact, but he'll be one of four Nationals who are unavailable due to the league's health and safety protocols. Wander Suero could step into a high-leverage role while the right-hander is on the injured list.

Estevez (2-3) suffered the loss Wednesday against the Angels after allowing a run on two hits and a walk while striking out one over an inning.

Estevez entered to begin the bottom half of eighth trying to preserve a 7-7 tie but was unable to do so. He allowed men to reach first and second before surrendering an RBI single to Phil Gosselin to put the Angels in front. That run would prove to be the difference, handing Estevez his second loss in four days. The 28-year-old owns a 5.35 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 35:12 K:BB over 35.1 innings this season.

Gilbreath started Wednesday's game against the Angels, allowing one run on two hits and two walks over an inning.

The 25-year-old operated as an opener Wednesday after the Rockies were forced to go with a bullpen game after Chi Chi Gonzalez (undisclosed) was placed on the COVID-19 IL. Gilbreath broke a streak of four straight scoreless outings and now owns a 6.41 ERA, 1.68 WHIP and 19:13 K:BB over 19.2 innings.

Okert (0-1) took the loss Wednesday versus Baltimore. He allowed a run on four walks in one-third of an inning.

The southpaw allowed a leadoff walk to Cedric Mullins before allowing the speedy outfielder to take second base with a wild pitch. Austin Hays sacrificed to move Mullins to third, and Okert responded with intentional walks to Trey Mancini and Ryan Mountcastle to set up a double-play opportunity. It didn't work, as Okert then gave up a walkoff walk to Ryan McKenna. The loss was the 30-year-old's first of the season in 11 appearances. He owns a reasonable 2.38 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 11:5 K:BB across 11.1 innings this year.

Kranick (1-2) took the loss Wednesday versus Milwaukee. He allowed six runs on 10 hits, a walk and a hit batsman with three strikeouts in five-plus innings.

Remarkably, the 24-year-old threw only 73 pitches (50 strikes), but Milwaukee was able to produce runs in the first, fourth and sixth innings. Kranick saw his ERA tick up to 7.31 with a 1.63 WHIP and 13:5 K:BB through 16 innings this year. The right-hander could be an option in the rotation going forward, but he's clearly still adjusting to major-league hitters. If he continues working as a starter, he lines up for a rematch in Milwaukee next week.