MLB Player News

The Nationals placed Poulin on the 15-day injured list Sunday due to a left flexor strain.

Poulin hadn't pitched in either of the Nationals' first two games following the All-Star break, so it's unclear when or how he sustained the forearm strain. He'll be eligible for activation July 31, but given the nature of his injury, Poulin seems likely to miss more than the minimum 15 days. Washington re-signed left-hander Matt Krook to a one-year deal Sunday to take Poulin's spot in the bullpen and on the 26-man active roster.

The Nationals transferred Lovelady (triceps) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Sunday.

Since landing on the IL on June 29 due to a left triceps strain, Lovelady has made limited progress in his recovery. Per MLB.com, Lovelady has been able to take part in strengthening work but has yet to resume a throwing program nearly three weeks after suffering the injury. The Nationals apparently weren't confident that Lovelady would be ready to return in the next five weeks, so he was moved to the 60-day IL in order to free up a spot on the 40-man roster for lefty Matt Krook, who re-signed with the organization on a one-year deal.

The Nationals re-signed Krook to a major-league contract prior to Sunday's game against the Athletics.

Krook had elected free agency after rejecting an outright assignment to Triple-A Rochester when Washington removed him from its 40-man roster a week ago, but he quickly ended up returning to the Nationals on a new deal. The 31-year-old will give Washington another left-handed option in its bullpen after PJ Poulin (forearm) was placed on the 15-day injured list Sunday.

The White Sox released Sims on Sunday.

Sims will part ways with the organization for the second time this season, as he previously elected free agency after the White Sox designated him for assignment in late April. He later re-signed with Chicago but was unable to earn another look in the big leagues after submitting an 8.76 ERA, 2.11 WHIP and 20:14 K:BB in 12.1 innings over 13 appearances at Triple-A Charlotte.

Yarbrough will operate as the Yankees' opening pitcher for the nightcap of Sunday's doubleheader against the Dodgers, Jorge Castillo of ESPN.com reports.

Yarbrough, a southpaw, will face at least two left-handed batters in Shohei Ohtani and Freddie Freeman, while three of the top five batters in the Dodgers' lineup are left-handed. After Yarbrough's night comes to an end, Elmer Rodriguez figures to follow out of the bullpen. Yarbrough has posted a 3.72 ERA and 1.34 WHIP over 9.2 frames in his last eight appearances, and he hasn't exceeded two innings in an appearance since June 16.

The Yankees optioned Bird to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Sunday.

After allowing five earned runs in one-third of an inning in the Yankees' 8-2 loss in the first game of Sunday's doubleheader with the Dodgers, Bird was sent down to Triple-A in advance of Game 2. The Yankees will swap Bird off the 26-man active roster for a fresh bullpen arm in Kervin Castro, who was recalled from Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in a corresponding move.

The Yankees recalled Castro from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Sunday.

Castro will be up with the big-league club for the second time this season, after he previously made a two-inning relief appearance May 8 in Milwaukee during his abbreviated stint with the Yankees. The 27-year-old has been one of the stronger performers out of the Triple-A bullpen this season, posting a 2.05 ERA, 0.84 WHIP and 27:6 K:BB in 26.1 innings.

The Dodgers recalled Hurt from Triple-A Oklahoma City to serve as their 27th man for the second game of Sunday's doubleheader with the Yankees, Maddie Lee of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Hurt could be called upon to cover an inning or two in relief while the Dodgers treat the final contest of the twin bill as a bullpen game. Over 32 appearances with Los Angeles this season, 28-year-old Hurt has posted a 4.88 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 38:16 K:BB in 31.1 innings.

Klein will serve as the Dodgers' opening pitcher Sunday in the second game of their doubleheader against the Yankees, Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Klein will make his third start of the campaign but is expected to be limited to one or two innings before turning the game over to the bullpen. The 26-year-old right-hander has posted a 2.41 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 43:16 K:BB in 37.1 innings over 32 appearances with Los Angeles.

Detroit transferred Vest (elbow) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Sunday.

Vest was initially placed on the IL on July 1 due to posterior right elbow inflammation, but follow-up tests later revealed a stress fracture. The injury will result in an extended absence for Vest, who won't be eligible for activation until Aug. 27. Through 27 appearances on the season, the 31-year-old reliever has turned in a 6.08 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 27:10 K:BB in 26.2 innings.