MLB Player News

The Cubs signed Woodford to a major-league contract Saturday.

Woodford spent the beginning part of the season with Milwaukee, posting a 6.94 ERA, 1.76 WHIP and 20:7 K:BB over 23.1 innings spanning 16 relief appearances before being DFA'd on June 5. Despite those meager numbers, the Cubs have given the veteran hurler a deal that will immediately place him in the big-league bullpen. Bryse Wilson was designated for assignment in a corresponding move.

The Rockies placed Halvorsen on the 15-day injured list Saturday, retroactive to July 1, due to right shoulder inflammation.

Halvorsen's most recent call-up to the big club didn't go well, as he yielded four runs on seven hits with a 1:1 K:BB over 2.2 innings spanning three appearances. He'll now be sidelined at least through the All-Star break because of a shoulder issue. Starter Tomoyuki Sugano (back) also landed on the IL on Saturday, while Sean Sullivan was called up from Albuquerque and veteran reliever Jordan Romano had his contract selected from the same Triple-A club.

The Rockies selected Romano's contract from Triple-A Albuquerque on Saturday.

Romano inked a minor-league contract with Colorado in early May and has since been throwing for Albuquerque. Over nine appearances with the Triple-A club, he posted a 4.15 ERA, 0.61 WHIP and 10:0 K:BB with one save over 8.2 innings. Though Romano struggled to a 10.13 ERA and 2.12 WHIP at the outset of the season while with the Angels, he did log four saves (in six chances) and has registered 117 career regular-season major-league saves. As such, he could get an opportunity to finish games for a Colorado bullpen that doesn't currently have a clear-cut closer.

San Francisco recalled Bivens from Triple-A Sacramento on Saturday, Justice delos Santos of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Bivens is taking the bullpen spot of Matt Gage, who landed on the 15-day injured list due to a left elbow strain Saturday. It will be the first stint with the big-league club this season for Bivens. The righty reliever appeared in 54 regular-season games for the Giants in 2025, posting a 4.00 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 61:25 over 81 innings while logging four wins, three saves and four holds. He'll likely fill a low-leverage spot while up with San Francisco.

The Giants placed Gage on the 15-day IL on Saturday due to a left elbow strain, Justice delos Santos of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Gage previously spent time on the IL in early June due to a knee issue, and he's now set to be sidelined with an elbow injury. The lefty reliever threw a season-high 51 pitches over 1.1 innings against Colorado on Friday, so that's presumably when the injury occurred. Spencer Bivens has been called up from Triple-A Sacramento to take Gage's spot in San Francisco's bullpen.

The Royals recalled Cuas from Triple-A Omaha on Saturday.

The move comes after Stephen Kolek (personal) was placed on the Family Medical Emergency List. Cuas' lone appearance with the Royals was Wednesday against the Rays, when he allowed one run on two hits while striking out three across two innings without issuing a walk. He's spent the majority of the 2026 season in Triple-A, where he has a 3.31 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 33:19 K:BB across 32.2 innings.

The Nationals optioned Kent to Triple-A Rochester on Saturday.

It's the second time Kent has been called up and subsequently sent down after the Nationals claimed him off waivers from Minnesota in early May. The righty reliever has been mediocre during his time with Washington, posting a 6.75 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 9:2 K:BB across 10.2 innings over eight appearances. The Nationals claimed lefty reliever Matt Krook off waivers from the Athletics on Saturday and will have him fill Kent's bullpen slot.

The Nationals designated Granillo for assignment Saturday.

Granillo has failed to impress over eight appearances with Washington this season, posting a 9.64 ERA, 2.25 WHIP and 3:8 K:BB over 9.1 innings. He hasn't fared much better with Triple-A Rochester, registering an 8.02 ERA, 1.66 WHIP and 32:16 K:BB across 33.2 frames spanning 26 appearances. Granillo will consequently yield his 40-man roster spot to Matt Krook, whom the Nationals claimed off waivers on Saturday.

Washington claimed Krook off outright waivers from the Athletics on Saturday.

Krook struggled during his time with the A's before being DFA'd on Friday, allowing seven earned runs with a 5:4 K:BB over 3.2 innings spanning five appearances. However, the Nationals will look to help him get back on track and in order to utilize him as a lefty option out of the bullpen. To clear room for Krook, Washington designated righty hurler Andre Granillo for assignment and optioned right-hander Zak Kent to Triple-A Rochester.

The Phillies recalled Banks from Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Saturday.

The move corresponds with right-hander Alan Rangel being optioned to Lehigh Valley following Thursday's game against the Pirates. Banks has spent the majority of the 2026 season in the majors but has been in Triple-A since mid-June. Across 26 major-league games this season, Banks has a 5.86 ERA, 1.92 WHIP, two holds and a 31:13 K:BB across 27.2 innings.