MLB Player News

The Astros optioned Hernandez to Triple-A Sugar Land on Thursday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Although he's pitched two scoreless innings since being elevated from Triple-A on Friday, Hernandez will head back to the minors in order to make room for the newly signed Enyel De Los Santos. Hernandez boasts a 1.70 ERA and 0.97 WHIP through 37 innings at Sugar Land, and if he continues at that pace, he more than likely will find himself back in Houston later this season.

De Los Santos signed a one-year, major-league contract with the Astros on Thursday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

De Los Santos elected free agency after being DFA'd by Atlanta on July 30, and he'll now find a new home in the Astros' bullpen. The 29-year-old owns a 4.53 ERA and 1.31 WHIP through 43.2 innings this season and is likely ticketed for a middle-relief role in Houston. In order to clear roster space, the Astros optioned Nick Hernandez to Triple-A Sugar Land and designated Luis Contreras for assignment.

The Cardinals claimed Alcala off waivers from the Red Sox on Thursday.

Alcala has split time between the Twins and Red Sox this season, posting a 6.64 ERA and 46:23 K:BB over 40.2 frames. The 30-year-old reliever cannot be optioned to the minors, so he will go onto to the Cardinals' active roster. St. Louis will have to make a corresponding transaction once Alcala officially reports to the club.

The White Sox designated Varland (undisclosed) for assignment Thursday.

Varland had been on the White Sox's 40-man roster all season, but he had pitched exclusively in the minors before landing on Triple-A Charlotte's injured list in July. Over 5.1 innings with Charlotte, Varland posted a 5.01 ERA and 1.96 WHIP. He made his last appearance for the affiliate June 28 and was later shifted to the 60-day IL, so the White Sox apparently weren't counting on him pitching again until at least late August or early September. He's likely to go unclaimed off waivers and could go back on Charlotte's IL if he opts to stay in the organization and accept an outright assignment to Triple-A.

The Orioles optioned Rodriguez to Triple-A Norfolk on Thursday.

The move frees up a spot on the 26-man active roster for right-hander Rico Garcia, who was claimed off waivers from the Mets. Rodriguez was a waiver claim himself last month and gave up two runs over one inning in his lone appearance with the Orioles this season.

Hill earned a hold against the Rangers on Wednesday, allowing one hit and striking out one batter without giving up any runs over two-thirds of an inning.

Hill handled the seventh inning and saw two runners get on base against him -- one on a single and another on catcher's interference. He departed after notching two outs, and Yerry De Los Santos was able to finish the frame without allowing either of the inherited runners to score. Hill had a rough start to the second half, but he's back on the right track with five consecutive scoreless appearances. Overall, he has a 2.63 ERA, a 1.01 WHIP, 13 holds and a 27:13 K:BB over 51.1 frames spanning 54 outings this season.

The Brewers sent Zastryzny (ribs) to Triple-A Nashville on Thursday to begin a rehab assignment.

Zastryzny was pulled off his initial rehab assignment in late July following a setback with his rib stress reaction, but he's been cleared for game action again. The lefty reliever should be ready to rejoin the Brewers bullpen around mid-August if he can avoid another setback.

The Brewers optioned McGee to Triple-A Nashville on Thursday.

McGee's most recent stint in the big-league bullpen wasn't fruitful, as he yielded seven runs over four frames covering two appearances. The Brewers will announce a corresponding move prior to Friday's game against the Mets, and it could be Shelby Miller (forearm) returning from the 15-day injured list.

Ferrer (3-3) picked up the win Wednesday over the A's, striking out one in a perfect ninth inning.

The southpaw got the call to protect a 1-1 tie in the ninth and dispatched the bottom of the A's order on 12 pitches (10 strikes). Ferrer was then rewarded for his efforts when CJ Abrams walked it off with an RBI single in the bottom of the frame. The Nationals haven't had a save situation since Kyle Finnegan was traded to the Tigers, but Ferrer's usage Wednesday suggests he'll be first in line to handle closing duties when needed. Since the beginning of July, Ferrer's posted a 3.48 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 11:2 K:BB over 10.1 innings.

Walker (4-4) threw a scoreless inning and picked up the win in Wednesday's 4-2 victory over the Pirates, allowing two hits while striking out three.

Walker entered the game in the eighth and struck out the first two batters he faced before giving up a pair of singles. However, he escaped the inning with his season-high-tying third strikeout, marking his first three-strikeout performance in a single inning. The right-hander now owns a 4.05 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and a 46:14 K:BB across 46.2 innings in 50 outings.