MLB Player News

Melancon was added to the Nationals' active roster Sunday, Dan Kolko of MASN Sports reports.

Melancon will provide the contending Nationals with desperately-needed bullpen help, as he projects to step into the closer role immediately. Moving from a fringe-.500 team to the NL East leaders can only help the fantasy value of the 31-year-old.

Lopez didn't factor into the decision in Saturday's 5-3 loss to the Giants, giving up three earned runs on four hits and five walks over four innings. He struck out four.

The 22-year-old had considerable struggles with his control, throwing only 51 of 92 pitches for strikes. Lopez did stay away from the long ball altogether, but his propensity for putting men on base constantly throughout his four frames did him no favors. He's generated a 9.35 ERA and whopping 2.31 WHIP over his two major league starts in 2016, a sharp contrast to the 2.90 and 1.17 figures he's managed in those respective categories at the minor league level between Double-A Harrisburg and Triple-A Syracuse.

Chapman gave up an earned run on one hit and a wild pitch in one-third of an inning in Saturday's 4-1 loss to the Mariners. He also recorded a strikeout.

The new Cubs closer couldn't hold a 1-0 lead in the eighth after relieving Hector Rondon. Chapman came on with two out and runners at the corners and promptly gave up a two-RBI double to Leonys Martin. After Martin subsequently stole third, he scored on the fireballing reliever's wild pitch. The 28-year-old had been perfect over the 2.1 innings spanning his first pair of appearances for Chicago while recording four strikeouts, and Saturday's earned run was the first he'd given up since June 27 with the Yankees.

Curtis was optioned to Double-A Mobile on Saturday.

The lefty gave up two runs on two hits (including a home run) while failing to record an out Friday, raising his ERA through 21 appearances to 6.75. He will look to get things ironed out and return to Arizona for at least the final month of the season.

Ellington was recalled from Triple-A New Orleans on Saturday, Andre Fernandez of the Miami Herald reports.

The right-hander will return for his second stint with the big club this season, replacing Jose Urena on the active roster. Ellington fared well during his initial callup, allowing just one earned run on eight hits while striking out 11 over 11.1 innings (10 appearances), but he'll have a tough time cracking the back end of the bullpen at any point this year.

The Pirates have agreed to trade Melancon to the Nationals, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reports.

Specifics of the deal are still coming in, but the Nats will reportedly send Felipe Rivero and multiple prospects to Washington in return for Melancon. Melancon figures to step into the closer role right away for Washington, as manager Dusty Baker was unwilling to commit to Jonathan Papelbon remaining the team's closer when asked Saturday following three straight poor outings. Lefty Tony Watson will presumably inherit the ninth-inning job for the Pirates.

Lopez was recalled by Nationals and will start Saturday against the Giants, MASN's Dan Kolko reports.

The 22-year-old will oppose Jake Peavy in his second career start at the major league level. Lopez gave up 10 hits in his debut earlier this month, but also fanned nine over 4.2 innings, with his fastball averaging over 96 mph in the outing. The matchup Saturday makes him appealing as a streamer in a lot of leagues, as the Giants have scored just 41 runs since the All-Star break (second-fewest in the NL), although they are getting Hunter Pence back.

Nationals manager Dusty Baker said that Lopez will start Saturday's game against San Francisco, Mark Zuckerman of MASNsports.com reports.

Although he's yet to be officially called up, Lopez has been confirmed by manager Dusty Baker to be Saturday's starter against Jake Peavy and the Giants. Lopez has spent the majority of 2016 between Double-A Harrisburg and Triple-A Syracuse where he's compiled a 2.90 ERA and 1.17 WHIP over 96.1 innings.

Gearrin (shoulder) has joined Triple-A Sacramento and is ready to begin a rehab assignment, Alex Pavlovic of CSN Bay Area reports.

A little more than three weeks removed from landing on the DL, Gearrin is ready to return to active competition with the Giants' top minor league affiliate. It's uncertain how long he'll need to prepare for a return to the majors, but the team may want to see Gearrin throw on back-to-back days before activating him.

Weber was called up Friday from Triple-A Gwinnett.

This was a corresponding move to the Braves sending down Matt Wisler on Thursday following their game against the Phillies. Weber has spent some time with the major league club this season, appearing in five games while allowing 11 earned runs and 20 hits over 10.2 innings of work. He has faired much better at the Triple-A level, but has only managed to fan 35 batters during 55 innings with Gwinnett.