MLB Player News

The Dodgers optioned Robinson to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Saturday.

Robinson had been working as Los Angeles' No. 2 catcher since Will Smith (neck) landed on the IL in mid-June, but he's struggled as a hitter, going just 2-for-23 with no extra-base hits over eight contests. As such, Robinson will head back to Triple-A, and Eliezer Alfonzo will get his first taste of the majors.

The Dodgers selected Alfonzo's contract from Triple-A Oklahoma City on Saturday.

Alfonzo has thrived with OKC this season, slashing .313/.392/.422 with one home run, 16 RBI and a 22:17 BB:K over 49 games. He's thus getting his first look in the majors, and he's expected to serve as the backup behind the plate to Dalton Rushing while Will Smith (neck) remains on the IL. Chuckie Robinson, who had been working as the backup catcher, was optioned to Triple-A in a corresponding move.

Littell didn't factor into the decision Saturday as the Nationals fell 7-1 to the Pirates, allowing one run on four hits and a walk over six relief innings. He struck out three.

The veteran righty put together an impressive performance as the bulk reliever, tossing 57 of 87 pitches for strikes in the equivalent of a quality start, but opener Carson Palmquist had coughed up four runs before Littell even set foot on the mound. Littell has given up two or fewer runs in three straight outings to lower his ERA on the season to 5.02, and he's set to get his next turn through the rotation at home next weekend against the Yankees.

Chourio isn't in Saturday's starting lineup versus Arizona.

It will be Chourio's first game out of the starting lineup since June 3. The star outfielder may just be getting a routine rest day, as there's no word of an injury and he's been hitting well of late, reaching base in nine straight contests and posting an .819 OPS with two homers, four RBI and one steal over that span. With Chourio out of Saturday's lineup, Jake Bauers is getting a start in left field.

Griffin went 1-for-5 with a run scored and two stolen bases in Saturday's 7-1 win over the Nationals.

The rookie shortstop got the Pirates on the board in the top of the first inning by singling, stealing second, advancing to third on a Bryan Reynolds knock and then scampering home as part of a successful double steal. Griffin's been very busy on the basepaths of late, going 5-for-5 on steal attempts over his last five games. On the season, the 20-year-old phenom sports a .271/.326/.403 slash line with five homers, 19 stolen bases, 23 RBI and 34 runs in his first 58 big-league games.

Ashcraft (9-3) picked up the win Saturday, allowing one run on six hits and two walks over 5.2 innings in a 7-1 victory over the Nationals. He struck out seven.

James Wood led off the bottom of the first inning with a solo shot on Ashcraft's first pitch, but the right-hander shut the door from there and came one out short of his 11th quality start of the season. It was an impressive bounce-back performance after he'd been tagged for three homers and five runs in his previous outing; but despite that damage to his ratios, Ashcraft has won four straight starts. He'll take a 3.24 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 122:25 K:BB through 108.1 innings into his next trip to the mound, which lines up to come at home next weekend against the Brewers.

The Cubs designated Wilson for assignment Saturday.

Wilson joined Chicago as a waiver claim June 24 and made two appearances for the team. In his first outing, he impressed with 4.1 scoreless innings, but the right-hander then got pounded for seven runs across 3.1 frames against St. Louis on Friday. He's now lost his spot in Chicago's bullpen (and on the team's 40-man roster) in favor of Jake Woodford, who was inked to a major-league contract Saturday.

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 saves in MLB. As such, he could get an opportunity to finish games for a Colorado bullpen that doesn't currently have a clear-cut closer.