MLB Player News

The Nationals optioned Weems to Triple-A Rochester on Tuesday.

Weems appeared in six games out of the Washington bullpen following his May 31 call-up from Triple-A, covering 6.1 innings while giving up seven earned runs on eight hits and six walks. Francisco Perez was recalled from Rochester to replace Weems in the bullpen.

The Nationals recalled Perez from Triple-A Rochester on Tuesday.

The arrival of Perez gives the Nationals a fresh arm out of the bullpen after Washington needed five relievers to cover all nine innings of Monday's 9-5 loss to Atlanta when starter Josiah Gray was scratched leading up to the contest. Perez has previously covered 5.1 innings in his six appearances out of the Washington bullpen this season, giving up three earned runs on six hits and six walks while striking out four.

The Nationals selected Garrett's contract from Triple-A Rochester on Tuesday.

Garrett gets his first call to the big leagues since 2019, when he made 13 appearances out of Detroit's bullpen. He was rewarded with the promotion after turning in a 4.00 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 25:10 K:BB across 27 innings at Rochester. Garrett's initial usage will likely be limited to lower-leverage scenarios.

Thompson (biceps) struck out two and allowed one hit and no walks over a scoreless inning in his rehab appearance Monday for the Nationals' rookie-level Florida Complex League affiliate.

Thompson has been on the shelf since April 10 with left biceps tendinitis, so he's expected to require several appearances in the minors before the Nationals are comfortable reinstating him from the 60-day injured list. Between stops with Washington and San Diego in 2021, Thompson generated a 4.01 ERA, 1.91 WHIP and 23:15 K:BB across 24.2 innings out of the bullpen.

Pallante won't start Wednesday's game against the Pirates as originally planned and will instead serve as a "bridge" reliever behind Jack Flaherty (shoulder) in that contest, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

Flaherty is forgoing a third rehab start in the minors and instead returning from the 60-day injured list Wednesday, but he'll be limited to 60 pitches since he isn't fully stretched out yet, according to Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Though Pallante will work behind Flaherty, the 23-year-old rookie is unlikely to serve as a primary pitcher out of the bullpen. Instead, Pallante is expected to cover no more than one or two innings, which would be the rough equivalent of a between-starts bullpen session. If Pallante is used in that capacity Wednesday, manager Oliver Marmol said the right-hander would then be available to start Sunday in Boston on three days' rest. In the event Pallante is needed to cover more innings than anticipated Wednesday, Miles Mikolas could start Sunday, with Pallante then making his next start Monday or Tuesday in Milwaukee in that scenario.

Romero (elbow) began a rehab assignment with the Phillies' rookie-level Florida Complex League affiliate Tuesday, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

Romero is ready for game action as he makes his way back from Tommy John surgery, a procedure he underwent in May of last year. He'll presumably need a lengthy rehab assignment before he's activated off the injured list. He's far from guaranteed to head to the active roster once cleared, as he's thrown just 19.2 career major-league innings, struggling to a 7.32 ERA.

Banda allowed three earned runs on four hits while recording just one out Monday against the Cardinals.

Banda entered the game with runners on second and third in the sixth inning while protecting a five-run lead. He allowed a double to the first batter he faced and then served up a three-run home run to Dylan Carlson to blow the lead. Banda has been charged with multiple earned runs in three of his last eight appearances, which has inflated his ERA to 6.59 on the season.

Rogers struck out two in a perfect inning and earned a save over the Cubs on Monday.

Rogers tossed 12 of 15 pitches for strikes and turned in his first multi-strikeout game since May 28. He had recorded just one punchout over his previous 3.2 frames. Rogers lowered his ERA to 2.77 and he's now converted 19 of 22 save chances through 27 appearances this season.

Gallegos (2-2) pitched a perfect inning, striking out one and earning the win Monday versus the Pirates.

Gallegos became the pitcher of record when Paul Goldschmidt put the Cardinals ahead for good with a seventh-inning solo shot. After opening the season as the Cardinals' closer, Gallegos has started to serve in more of a fireman role, as manager Oli Marmol brings him for the most important spots. That has led to more save chances for Ryan Helsley, who now trails Gallegos only 8-5 on the team's season saves leaderboard. The veteran right-hander has a 3.04 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 31:8 K:BB while adding two holds in 23.2 innings overall.

Helsley struck out one batter in a perfect inning and earned a save over the Pirates on Monday.

Helsley threw eight of 12 pitches for strikes and had no issue finishing off the 7-5 win. He's now five for seven in save chances this season with a stellar 0.37 ERA and 33:6 K:BB through 24.1 frames. Helsley has earned a save in each of his last two appearances while Giovanny Gallegos hasn't recorded one since May 20.