MLB Player News

Hughes (knee) threw a successful bullpen session Monday, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Hughes is scheduled for another mound workout later this week. He could be an option again for the Cubs' bullpen sometime in September if he is able to avoid setbacks in his recovery from June knee surgery.

The Cubs recalled Rucker from Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Rucker will return to the Cubs' bullpen mix ahead of Tuesday night's game against the White Sox. The 29-year-old right-hander has posted a 5.03 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 39:17 K:BB across 39.1 major-league innings this season.

The Cubs optioned Kilian to Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Kilian has surrendered 10 earned runs in just 5.1 innings of work this season at the major-league level. Michael Rucker will join Chicago's bullpen Tuesday in a corresponding roster move.

The Dodgers selected Varland's contract from Triple-A Oklahoma City on Tuesday, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

Varland has posted a promising 2.16 ERA and 39:8 K:BB in 33.1 innings with Triple-A Oklahoma City since being returned from the Brewers in May. Milwaukee had selected him away from Los Angeles in the 2022 Rule 5 Draft. The 26-year-old right-hander is slated to work in middle relief for the NL West leaders.

Pittsburgh recalled Ramirez from Triple-A Indianapolis on Tuesday.

Ramirez will return to a multi-inning relief role with the Pirates ahead of Tuesday night's game against the Mets. He carries a 4.25 ERA and 1.48 WHIP in 23 appearances this season at the MLB level.

The Mets optioned Miller to Triple-A Syracuse on Tuesday.

Miller earned a win in relief Monday against the Pirates, but he threw 31 pitches during that appearance and wasn't going to be available for a bit. Jose Butto will take his place in the Mets' bullpen ahead of Tuesday's game versus Pittsburgh.

Washington optioned La Sorsa to Triple-A Rochester on Tuesday, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

Hunter Harvey (elbow) is back from the injured list in a corresponding roster move. La Sorsa has allowed 12 earned runs in 16.1 innings of work this season with the Nationals.

Harvey (elbow) was activated from the 15-day injured list Tuesday, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

Harvey will return to the Nationals' bullpen ahead of Tuesday's series opener against the Red Sox after missing about four weeks with a right elbow strain. He'll probably operate mostly as a setup man down the stretch with Kyle Finnegan continuing to flourish in the closer role.

St. Louis selected Lawrence's contract from Triple-A Memphis on Tuesday.

Lawrence has posted an underwhelming 4.76 ERA and 90:31 K:BB in 104 innings this season between the Triple-A affiliates of the Blue Jays and Cardinals. The veteran right-hander will likely operate in a mop-up role.

Walker struck out four over two scoreless frames while serving as the Giants' opening pitcher in Monday's 10-2 loss to the Rays. He worked around two hits and one walk in the 39-pitch outing.

Walker did his part to the keep the Rays offense at bay, but primary pitcher Tristan Beck (five runs allowed over three innings) was unable to continue the trend once he took over in the top of the third. Expect manager Gabe Kapler to continue making frequent use of Walker as an opener while the Giants have only two locked-in traditional starters at the moment in Logan Webb and Alex Cobb. In nine outings as an opener this season, Walker has produced a 2.40 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 25.0 K-BB% in 15 innings.