MLB Player News

Rea (8-8) allowed two runs on three hits across six innings and took the loss in Sunday's 2-1 defeat to the Yankees. He walked one and struck out seven.

Rea battled with Gerrit Cole all afternoon but simply didn't get enough run support from Chicago's hitters, and a Jose Caballero two-run home run in the third inning was enough to saddle him with the loss. The veteran righty set a new season high with the seven strikeouts, and he's now recorded two straight starts of at least six innings while allowing two runs or fewer. Rea has a 4.59 ERA overall and has been a serviceable rotation option for the Cubs with Ben Brown (neck) and Edward Cabrera (hamstring) on the injured list. Rea is lined up to take the mound again Friday against the Royals on the road.

The Nationals acquired Bird and right-handers Yovanny Cruz, Ben Grable and Jack Cebert (undisclosed) from the Yankees on Sunday in exchange for first baseman Luis Garcia, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports. Washington optioned Bird to Triple-A Rochester.

Bird will be on the move from the second trade deadline in a row after being shipped from the Rockies to the Yankees last summer. Before the Yankees optioned him to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on July 19, Bird had struggled over 36 appearances with the Yankees, pitching to a 5.93 ERA and 1.55 WHIP with 31 strikeouts over 30.1 innings in 36 appearances. Though he'll start out his time in the Nationals organization at Triple-A, Bird might not have to wait long for a call-up to a Washington bullpen that's lacking in dependable arms.

Peguero (hamstring) threw a 15-pitch live bullpen session Friday at the Giants' facility in Arizona, MLB.com reports.

Peguero is scheduled to repeat the activity again Wednesday, and if all goes well, he could then start throwing live batting practice. The reliever has been on the shelf since June 1 due to a left hamstring strain and appears to be trending toward a late-August return from the injured list.

Suzuki went 2-for-4 with a double and a run scored in Sunday's 2-1 loss to the Yankees.

Suzuki had half of Chicago's four hits and scored the team's lone run in the fourth inning. The outfielder has been dialed in lately, as he's batting .298 over his last 15 games with three home runs, 13 runs scored and 13 RBI. Overall, Suzuki is slashing .273/.364/.476 with 18 long balls, 60 runs and 61 RBI across 95 contests, making him a strong fantasy contributor.

The Giants transferred Gage (elbow) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Sunday.

After landing on the IL on July 4 due to a left flexor strain, Gage received a platelet-rich plasma injection July 11 and was scheduled to be re-evaluated in the second week of August, per MLB.com. Gage's move to the 60-day IL indicates that the Giants aren't counting on him being ready to rejoin the big-league bullpen until at least Sept. 2. The transaction also opens up a spot on the 40-man roster for infielder Buddy Kennedy, who was claimed off waivers from the Mariners on Sunday.

Cruz and three minor-league pitchers were traded to the Nationals from the Yankees in exchange for Luis Garcia on Sunday, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

Cruz will head to Washington after he posted a 1.69 ERA and 0.75 WHIP with six strikeouts over 5.1 innings in four appearances with the Yankees this season. The right-hander will likely slot right into the Nationals' major-league bullpen upon his arrival with the organization. Minor-league pitchers Jake Bird, Ben Grable and Jack Cebert will also head to Washington in the transaction.

The Giants claimed Kennedy off waivers Sunday.

The 27-year-old was designated for assignment by the Mariners on Tuesday and will now rejoin the Giants, with whom he played in seven games earlier this season. Kennedy isn't likely to see much playing time in San Francisco, though his outlook would improve if Luis Arraez is dealt before Monday's trade deadline.

Lopez underwent an MRI on Sunday that showed no structural damage to his left knee, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Lopez was placed on the 15-day injured list earlier in the day due to knee inflammation, and more thorough testing hasn't turned up anything beyond that. Manager Walt Weiss noted that he's hopeful Lopez will be able to return from the IL when first eligible Aug. 14.

Chapman will undergo another MRI on Monday since his abdominal strain remains bothersome when running, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

The 33-year-old isn't believed to have suffered a setback, but he can't quite get over the hump in his recovery. Though manager Tony Vitello said Wednesday that Chapman was expected to come off the injured list during this weekend's series in San Diego, the veteran third baseman will instead be out a bit longer. Christian Koss and Oslevis Basabe have been sharing time at third base lately, and waiver pickup Buddy Kennedy could also factor into the mix for reps at the position while Chapman remains shelved.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Sunday that Ohtani (knee/biceps) is expected to play catch in Chicago this week, Jack Harris of the California Post reports.

Ohtani continues to serve as the Dodgers' everyday designated hitter, but he hasn't made a start as a pitcher since July 3 as a result of left knee inflammation and right biceps soreness. Despite having his throwing program halted on a couple of occasions, the Dodgers remain confident that Ohtani will be able to rejoin the rotation before the end of the regular season. The Dodgers will see how Ohtani's knee and biceps respond to playing catch before deciding if he's fit to get back on the mound to throw a bullpen session.