MLB Player News

Woods-Richardson gave up one run on two hits and a walk over five innings while striking out six for Low-A Columbia on Thursday.

The right-hander won't turn 19 until late September, but Woods-Richardson is handling himself well in the full-season Sally League after a bumpy start to the year. He's posted a 2.20 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 38:10 K:BB through 32.2 innings since the beginning of June, and while the Mets have been keeping a close eye on his workload -- five innings is the longest he's gone in any outing this season -- the organization's No. 6 fantasy prospect could receive a taste of High-A ball before the end of the campaign if he keeps taking care of business for Columbia.

Miller signed a minor-league contract with the Brewers on Thursday, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.

Miller was released by Texas on July 4 after accruing an 8.59 ERA and 1.98 WHIP with a 30:29 K:BB over 44 innings with the big-league club. He'll likely serve as organizational depth with the Brewers, though given Milwaukee's starting pitching woes this season, he could be a candidate to provide a spot start or even enter the rotation at some point.

Hicks (elbow) was transferred to the 60-day injured list Thursday, Rob Rains of StLSportsPage.com reports.

Hicks underwent Tommy John surgery at the end of June, so this move is simply procedural. The hard-throwing right-hander is set to miss the remainder of this season and likely most of the 2020 campaign while on the mend.

Webb was optioned to Triple-A Memphis on Thursday.

Webb was rocked for three runs on four hits over 0.2 innings during his last outing against the Giants, and his poor performance has ultimately resulted in a demotion. He owns a 4.45 ERA and 1.29 WHIP with a 26:16 K:BB over 30.1 innings this season in the big leagues.

Barraclough (forearm) was activated from the 10-day injured list and optioned to Double-A Harrisburg on Wednesday, Byron Kerr of MASN Sports reports.

Barraclough was expected to be back in Washington after the All-Star break. That could still happen, though it's not clear why the team wouldn't simply leave him on a rehab assignment if the plan is to promote him soon. His 6.39 ERA in 25.1 big-league innings isn't exactly a ringing endorsement for a spot on the big-league roster, so it's possible he remains in the minors for an extended period.

Ponce de Leon, who closed out the first half of the season with two appearances during which he fired a combined 4.2 innings of scoreless, one-hit ball and recorded six strikeouts, is impressing in his current long-relief role, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

The versatile right-hander has been an effective jack of all trades for manager Mike Shildt this season, also thriving in occasional rotation duty (1.20 ERA across three starts). Most recently, the Cardinals have taken advantage of his stretched-out arm to have him consume some valuable innings out of the bullpen. Ponce de Leon took over in the second inning for an ineffective Dakota Hudson on June 29 against the Padres, and although he gave up four runs across 5.1 innings, he also recorded an impressive nine strikeouts. He followed up that outing with the aforementioned pair of dominant, multi-inning efforts, the first which also netted his first big-league win. Ponce de Leon's ability to adjust has made an impression on the Cardinals' skipper, who envisions a progressively bigger role for the 27-year-old. "If he pitches that well, he's a candidate for a bigger role for sure," Shildt said after Saturday's game. "Ponce did a nice job, and he continues to earn more opportunities."

Howard (shoulder) returned to High-A Clearwater on Monday, allowing just a single hit across four scoreless innings while striking out seven against Palm Beach.

Howard had been dealing with a shoulder injury since mid-May. He now has an excellent 1.88 ERA through five starts for Clearwater, striking out 40.7 percent of opposing hitters while walking just 4.4 percent.

Rainey has a 4.74 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 27:14 K:BB with a win and six holds through 19 innings this season.

The strikeout rate is nice, as is his 97 mph fastball, but there isn't much else in Rainey's numbers to suggest he'll become a reliable part of the Nats' bullpen in the second half. Other than in deep NL-only formats that score holds, the 26-year-old has little fantasy value.

Yates struck out one without allowing a baserunner in a scoreless inning of work to earn his 30th save of the season Sunday against the Dodgers.

Staked to a two-run lead, Yates made quick work of the Dodgers by retiring the side in order on just 14 pitches (nine strikes). He closes the first half in dominant fashion and has now allowed just one baserunner in his last six innings. Yates will take a sparkling 1.15 ERA into the break as he heads to Cleveland for his first All-Star Game.

Jackson gave up three hits and a walk through a scoreless inning to record his 14th save in a 4-3 win over the Marlins on Sunday.

Jackson definitely made things interesting. He allowed three singles to start the ninth inning before an outfield assist by Charlie Culberson prevented the tying run from scoring. The right-hander went on to walk the next batter before finally finishing the game with a flyout to secure the save. Jackson has a 4-2 record with 14 saves and a 2.66 ERA through 40 appearances heading into the All-Star break.