MLB Player News

Single-A Dunedin placed Barriera on its 7-day injured list Aug. 3 due to biceps soreness, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Barriera, the No. 23 overall pick in the 2022 First-Year Player Draft, dealt with a shoulder issue in spring training, was shut down again after a May 25 start due to elbow soreness, and now has been shut down again after his velocity was down during a two-inning appearance July 29. Given that he's a hard-throwing 19-year-old with several recent arm injuries, his risk of needing some sort of surgery before advancing to the upper levels of the minors is extreme. All told, he logged a 3.98 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and 25 strikeouts in 20.1 innings across Single-A and the rookie-level Florida Complex League this season.

Pittsburgh transferred Perdomo (elbow) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day injured list on Thursday.

Perdomo was placed on the 15-day IL this past Sunday due to left elbow discomfort and is now officially done for the remainder of the 2023 season. Rob Zastryzny will fill the vacated 40-man roster spot as he joins the Pirates' bullpen ahead of Thursday's series opener against the Cubs.

Pittsburgh optioned Ramirez to Triple-A Indianapolis on Thursday.

Ramirez tossed 2.1 scoreless innings of relief Wednesday against the Cardinals, but the Pirates will call up a fresh bullpen arm in left-hander Rob Zastryzny ahead of Thursday's series opener versus the Cubs.

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

Keegan Thompson is up to replace him in Chicago's bullpen ahead of Thursday's series opener versus the Pirates. Rucker, 29, has registered a 4.91 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 40:19 K:BB over 40.1 innings of relief this year in the majors.

Ferguson will serve as the Dodgers' opening pitcher in Thursday's later game at Cleveland, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Ferguson was not needed in the resumption of Wednesday's suspended game, so he'll get the call to kick off the Dodgers' regularly-scheduled tilt versus the Guardians, likely covering only the first inning before giving way to bulk pitcher Ryan Pepiot. Ferguson, 27, carries a 2.87 ERA and 54:20 K:BB across 47 innings this season with Los Angeles.

The Twins recalled Balazovic from Triple-A St. Paul on Thursday, John Shipley of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

With Oliver Ortega (back) headed to the injured list, Balazovic will come up from the minors to fill the opening in Minnesota's bullpen. The 24-year-old righty has made 18 appearances with the Twins this season, putting up a 4.44 ERA and 1.56 WHIP through 24.1 innings, and he will likely serve in middle relief while in the majors.

The Twins placed Ortega on the 15-day injured list Thursday with a left lumbar strain, John Shipley of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Ortega was forced out of his appearance Tuesday against Milwaukee after experiencing tightness in his back during the seventh inning. Now, he'll be sidelined for at least two weeks as he recovers. Jordan Balazovic was recalled from Triple-A St. Paul in a corresponding move.

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

Thompson will join Chicago's bullpen mix ahead of Thursday's series opener against the Pirates. The 28-year-old former starter has issued 35 walks in 46.1 innings this season between the minors and majors while working exclusively in relief.

Vespi was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk on Thursday.

He gave Orioles manager Brandon Hyde a lefty relief option while Danny Coulombe was out but is no longer needed with Coulombe back in the fold. Vespi holds a 4.30 ERA over nine appearances for the O's this season.

Coulombe (biceps) was activated from the 15-day injured list Thursday.

Coulombe wound up missing just the minimum 15 days with left biceps tendinitis, tossing a scoreless inning in his lone rehab appearance. The left-hander has collected a 2.77 ERA and 48:9 K:BB over 39 innings this season out of the Orioles' bullpen and will return to a high-leverage role.