MLB Player News

Hudson (COVID-19 protocols) will be traded from the Nationals to the Padres on Thursday in exchange for Jordy Barley and Mason Thompson, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

Hudson was placed on the COVID-19 injured list Thursday, though it's unclear whether he tested positive or was a close contact. Whenever he is able to return to the mound, he should fill a familiar setup role in San Diego with Mark Melancon entrenched as the closer. Hudson has had a strong campaign, delivering a 2.20 ERA and 0.92 WHIP with 48 strikeouts across 32.2 innings while recording 15 holds.

Garcia, who'd given up six earned runs on seven hits over his first three outings with the Cardinals, fired two perfect innings in Wednesday's loss to Cleveland, recording one strikeout.

The veteran reliever had gotten off to a highly inauspicious start with the Cardinals after signing July 9, but Wednesday's 26-pitch outing was a step in the right direction. Garcia's ability to work multiple innings and his rather shaky body of work seem to make him an ideal fit for low-leverage, middle-relief assignments for the time being.

Megill was recalled by the Cubs on Thursday, Tim Stebbins of NBC Sports Chicago reports.

Megill spent three days in the majors last week before heading to Triple-A on Sunday. He's back again after Dillon Maples hit the injured list with a blister. Megill has allowed six runs in 4.2 innings in his first taste of the majors this season, striking out two while walking six, but it could be easier for him to stick with the team in the second half, as the Cubs will likely move quite a few players prior to the trade deadline.

Brebbia was optioned to Triple-A Sacramento on Thursday.

Brebbia has served as a low-leverage reliever this season, and he'll head to the minors after he allowed four runs on three hits and no walks in two innings against the Dodgers on Wednesday. Right-hander Aaron Sanchez (biceps) will take his place in the bullpen after he was reinstated from the 60-day IL.

Rainey (lower leg) was activated off the 10-day injured list Thursday, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

Rainey wound up missing a month with a stress reaction in his right tibia. He could be in the mix for saves down the stretch, as the Nationals dealt Brad Hand to the Blue Jays on Thursday. His 42.7 percent strikeout rate and 2.66 ERA last year would make him seem like a strong candidate, though his strikeout rate has fallen to 26.5 percent this season while his ERA has ballooned to 6.93.

Long allowed two hits and a walk with two strikeouts across two innings in Wednesday's 8-0 loss to the Dodgers.

Long worked as a starter prior to a back strain that landed him on the injured list. He returned to a bullpen role Wednesday and delivered decent pitching in the fifth and sixth innings. The 26-year-old doesn't have a clear path back to the rotation without injuries arising, so he should be expected to provide multiple innings in relief going forward. He's pitched to a 5.19 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 27:8 K:BB through 26 innings this year.

Leone has allowed four runs (two earned) in his last four innings spanning five appearances.

In that span, the right-hander has yielded five hits and five walks while striking out five. He's had just one clean outing in that stretch. Leone has been solid in the middle innings with a 1.61 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, six holds and two blown saves across 22.1 innings, but he's experienced some regression after pitching incredibly after he was called up June 1.

Machado was recalled by the Nationals on Thursday, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

The Nationals had to make several changes to their roster Thursday with a handful of players landing on the COVID-19 injured list. Machado will give the team some extra bullpen depth, but his 12.54 ERA in 9.1 career MLB innings doesn't exactly inspire much confidence.

Abbott was optioned to Triple-A Iowa on Thursday, Maddie Lee of NBC Sports Chicago reports.

Abbott was recalled by the Cubs on Tuesday, but he'll return to the minors after he allowed three runs on three hits and two walks in one inning of relief during Wednesday's loss to the Reds. He could rejoin the Cubs as a low-leverage reliever at some point later in the campaign

Voth was placed on the COVID-19 injured list Thursday, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.

Voth returned from a broken nose in mid-June, but he's struggled to limit run production recently and has given up eight runs in 2.2 innings across his last three appearances. It's not clear whether the right-hander has tested positive for COVID-19, but he'll be away from the team while he's in the league's health and safety protocols.