MLB Player News

The Rays recalled Rodriguez from Triple-A Durham on Tuesday, Ryan Bass of Bally Sports Sun reports.

The Rays traded Phil Maton to the Mets on Tuesday, so Rodriguez will now be called upon to fill the vacancy in Tampa Bay's bullpen. The 27-year-old righty allowed three earned runs in 9.2 innings during a brief stint in the majors earlier this year, and he's posted an impressive 1.09 ERA and 1.03 WHIP through 24.2 innings at Durham. He'll likely be used in middle relief while with the Rays.

The Rays traded Maton to the Mets on Tuesday in exchange for a player to be named later or cash.

In 40 appearances with the Rays, Maton has posted a 4.58 ERA and 1.33 WHIP over 35.1 innings -- a considerable step back from his 3.00 ERA and 1.12 WHIP in 2023. He'll now head to New York in order to add depth to the Mets' bullpen and will likely remain in a middle-relief role. Joey Lucchesi was designated for assignment in order to free up a spot on the 40-man roster.

The Dodgers recalled Petersen from Triple-A Oklahoma City on Tuesday, Kirsten Watson of Spectrum SportsNet LA reports.

Petersen was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Thursday after allowing five earned runs across 9.2 innings across six appearances, but he's been summoned with the Dodgers in need of a fresh bullpen arm. His return coincides with Tyler Glasnow (back) landing on the injured list.

The Cubs activated Leiter (forearm) from the 15-day injured list Tuesday, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Following Leiter's live batting practice session Saturday, manager Craig Counsell said he would be activated during the Cubs' upcoming series at Baltimore. The right-hander was on the injured list due to a right forearm strain and is now set to make his return after landing on the IL on June 23. In a corresponding move, Ethan Roberts was optioned to Triple-A Iowa.

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

The move is to make room on the 26-man roster for Mark Leiter (forearm), who was reinstated from the 15-day injured list. Roberts made three appearances out of the Cubs' bullpen since being called up from Iowa on June 28, allowing five hits and two walks while striking out three over four scoreless innings. Roberts hasn't allowed an earned run over 13.1 innings in Triple-A this season, and the 27-year-old right-hander should be in line for another call-up this season should the Cubs need help out of their bullpen.

The Reds optioned Zulueta to Triple-A Louisville on Tuesday.

Zulueta was called up by Cincinnati on Monday and will return to the minors after he delivered a scoreless inning against the Rockies. The 26-year-old has pitched well in his first two big-league appearances this season with one earned run allowed and a 4:2 K:BB over four innings.

Winckowski will be available out of the Red Sox bullpen beginning on Wednesday, Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald reports.

Winckowski was excellent in a long relief outing on June 25 and a start June 30, but he stumbled in a start versus the Yankees over the weekend, allowing three runs over just 3.2 innings. He'll now move to a relief role, which will open up a spot in the rotation on Friday against the Athletics.

Waguespack (shoulder) has been shut down from throwing due to a lower-back issue, Steve Carney of StPeteNine.com reports.

Waguespack has been shelved since May 6 due to inflammation in his right shoulder but was given the green light June 24 to begin a rehab assignment. However, he's picked up a lower-back injury that will require him to be shut down for an unspecified period of time.

Lovelady's (forearm) rehab assignment was transferred to Triple-A Durham on Tuesday, Steve Carney of StPeteNine.com reports.

Lovelady made his first rehab appearance Monday with the Rays' Florida Complex League affiliate, but he yielded four runs over two-thirds of an inning before being pulled. Still, he'll be bumped up to Durham to continue his rehab from a strained left forearm.

Merryweather (ribs) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

It will be his first game action in three months, as Merryweather has been shelved with a rib stress fracture. Given his lengthy absence, the reliever will need a handful of rehab appearances before the Cubs are ready to activate him.