MLB Player News

Wittgren allowed just two runs over 13.2 innings during July.

The rookie had his scoreless appearance streak snapped at 11 on Friday when he gave up a two-run bomb to the Cardinals' Tommy Pham. Nonetheless, he's been very effective in middle relief, owning a 2.62 ERA and 8.1 K/9, but hasn't received a save opportunity and has just two hold opportunities this season.

Adleman (oblique) is about to finish his rehab assignment, but it doesn't appear that he has a spot to return to, the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

With Anthony DeSclafani and Homer Bailey back in the rotation, plus the back end of the bullpen thriving, there's no spot where Adleman is an improvement. At this point in time, we don't have an immediate need," manager Bryan Price said. "We don't have to make any decisions on that until his time is up, and then either he fits on our club or he's a guy that we option down to Triple-A."

The Dodgers acquired Fields from the Astros on Monday.

Fields struggled in his limited work with the Astros this season, posting a 6.89 ERA in just 15.2 innings of work. Down at Triple-A Fresno, he had better success, compiling a 1.65 ERA in 27.1 innings. The 30-year-old relief pitcher will head to Triple-A Oklahoma City, where he will give the Dodgers more bullpen depth.

The Rangers have agreed to trade Ortiz to the Brewers as part of the package for Jonathan Lucroy and Jeremy Jeffress, TR Sullivan of MLB.com reports.

While the Brewers didn't get Joey Gallo in the trade, they were able to pry two of the Rangers' top four prospects, as Lewis Brinson is also headed to Milwaukee. Ortiz dominated at High-A High Desert to begin the year, earning a promotion to Double-A Frisco as a 20-year-old. He's shown incredible control of his fastball, slider and changeup in recent seasons, so he would seem to have the floor of a high-leverage reliever, with frontline starter upside.

Chavez was traded from the Blue Jays to the Dodgers on Monday, Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports reports.

Chavez, who has posted a 4.57 ERA with 42 strikeouts in 41.1 innings, will give the Dodgers' bullpen much-needed depth, joining fellow right-handers Joe Blanton, Pedro Baez, Luis Coleman and Ross Stripling. The 32-year-old has been a starter and reliever for the Athletics and Blue Jays over the past five seasons.

Bickford was traded to the Brewers on Monday as part of the deal that sent Will Smith to the Giants, Alex Pavlovic of CSN Bay Area reports.

Bickford, one of the Giants' top prospects and the 18th pick in the 2015 draft, has had a fantastic season, posting a 2.71 ERA with 105 strikeouts in 93 innings between Low-A and High-A. He'll now become the Brewers' top prospect. He pitched an inning in the Futures game for the USA team, striking out two batters. Andrew Susac was also acquired by the Brewers in the deal.

Smith was traded to the Giants on Monday, Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports reports.

The 27-year-old put together a 3.68 ERA with 22 strikeouts in 22 innings for the Brewers. He'll now join fellow left-handers Javier Lopez and Matt Reynolds in the Giants bullpen. In return, the Brewers will receive right-handed pitching prospect Phil Bickford and catcher Andrew Susac.

Santillan was promoted to Low-A Dayton earlier last week and was named to the Pioneer League All-Star Game, though he won't participate in that, Better Off Red reports.

Santillan had a 3.92 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and a 46:16 K:BB over 39 innings at Billings in the Pioneer League. The 2015 second-round pick is still pretty raw, but at least he has shown that he can miss bats.

Garcia (biceps) recently hit a setback in his rehab, and it's uncertain when he'll pitch again, J.P. Hoornstra of the Los Angeles Daily News reports.

Manager Dave Roberts mentioned that Garcia's setback was related to one of his knees rather than his existing biceps injury, and while it's encouraging that his arm appears to be feeling fine, the interruption in the rehab process is obviously less than ideal. Garcia made rehab appearances for Double-A Tulsa on Thursday and Friday, so it's likely he picked up the knee ailment during the latter outing.

Lopez was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse on Sunday, Dan Kolko of MASN Sports reports.

Called on to make a spot start Saturday against the Giants, Lopez failed to get past the fourth inning, as he conceded three runs on four hits and five walks. At just 22, Lopez has plenty of time to develop his skills, and certainly has a role in the team's future. He could be an option for a September call-up, if he's not back before then. For now, he'll settle back into the Syracuse rotation, where he owns a 1.80 ERA over three starts.