MLB Player News

Assad worked in relief during Tuesday's 9-7 win over the Padres, striking out one over 2.2 innings while allowing four earned runs on five hits and two walks.

After a three-game run as a starter during which he went 3-0 with a 2.70 ERA and 0.96 WHIP over 16.2 innings, Assad was somewhat surprisingly deployed in relief Tuesday. In his second start back from the injured list, Matthew Boyd was lifted after covering the first five innings, with Assad entering behind him and being tasked with protecting a five-run lead. Assad's move to the bullpen doesn't sound like it will be a permanent one, with manager Craig Counsell telling Tony Andracki of Marquee Sports Network on Wednesday that the right-hander will make one more start before the All-Star break. However, with Jameson Taillon (hamstring) nearing a return from the injured list, Assad could be the odd man out of the rotation when the Cubs open their second-half schedule.

The Dodgers optioned Mills to Triple-A Oklahoma City following Tuesday's 9-3 win over the Athletics.

Mills struck out the side in the ninth inning to finish out Tuesday's victory in what was his lone appearance out of the Los Angeles bullpen during his latest stint in the big leagues. Per Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register, the Dodgers are expected to recall left-hander Charlie Barnes from Oklahoma City on Wednesday in a corresponding move, and he's likely to be used as a bulk reliever in the club's series finale in Sacramento.

The Dodgers are expected to recall Barnes from Triple-A Oklahoma City prior to Wednesday's game against the Athletics in Sacramento, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Los Angeles has a vacancy on the 26-man active roster after optioning Wyatt Mills to Triple-A following Tuesday's 9-3 win, so Barnes will slide into the open spot. After Shohei Ohtani had his next turn in the rotation pushed to Friday, the Dodgers are expected to opt for a bullpen game for the series finale in Sacramento, and Barnes will likely be a prominent part of the team's pitching plan. Barnes has produced a 3.67 ERA and 1.59 WHIP over six starts with Oklahoma City, and after covering 5.2 innings in his most recent outing last Thursday, he'll offer plenty of length out of the Los Angeles bullpen.

Lord will be the Nationals' opening pitcher in Wednesday's game versus the Red Sox, Mark Zuckerman of NatsJournal.com reports.

He'll take the ball first before eventually turning the game over to left-hander Andrew Alvarez. Lord has been a starting pitcher in the past and has been used primarily in long relief this season, so he's capable of logging multiple innings Wednesday, if needed.

The Tigers recalled Brieske from Triple-A Toledo on Wednesday.

Brieske was sent down last month after coughing up six runs with a 4:4 K:BB over 4.1 innings following a return from an adductor strain. He was unscored upon in his last four appearances with Toledo and will likely fill a middle-relief role in Detroit.

The Tigers placed Vest on the 15-day injured list Wednesday with posterior right elbow inflammation.

Vest was touched up for three runs (two earned) in an inning of work in his last appearance Saturday against the Astros, and it seems he came out of that outing with a sore elbow. He will be eligible for activation at the start of the second half, but with the nature of the injury it's possible Vest needs more time. Vest has logged two saves for Detroit this season, posting a 6.08 ERA and 27:10 K:BB over 26.2 frames in the process.

Weaver worked a perfect eighth inning in Tuesday's win over the Blue Jays to record his 10th hold of the season. He didn't strike out a batter.

Two groundouts and a pop-up got the job done for Weaver as he extended his scoreless streak to 24 innings, with the last run against him coming April 30. Over that impressive stretch, the veteran right-hander has a 0.63 WHIP and 31:5 K:BB while collecting eight holds, but zero wins or saves.

The Red Sox recalled Gamboa from Triple-A Worcester on Wednesday.

Gamboa will give Boston a fresh arm capable of covering multiple innings out of the bullpen after the Red Sox needed five relievers to cover the final five frames of Tuesday's 8-1 loss to Washington. Connelly Early was lifted from his start Tuesday after experiencing elbow discomfort and was placed on the 15-day injured list Wednesday.

The Red Sox activated Moran (elbow) from the 15-day injured list Wednesday.

Moran will rejoin the Boston bullpen after a month-long stint on the shelf while he recovered from left elbow inflammation. He looked sharp over a pair of rehab appearances with Triple-A Worcester last week, racking up four strikeouts across three scoreless frames. Moran should settle back into a middle-relief or setup role with Boston after producing a 3.00 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 38:15 K:BB in 33 innings prior to landing on the IL.

The Orioles optioned Walker to Triple-A Norfolk on Wednesday.

Walker had been recalled Monday and pitched each of the last two days, allowing one run over two frames. The lefty has logged a 4.28 ERA and 32:9 K:BB across 27.1 innings at Norfolk this season.