MLB Player News

Koch cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Reno on Friday.

No team wanted to claim Koch after he posted a 9.15 ERA in 20.2 innings of relief to start the season. With a career 4.88 ERA and a 13.1 percent strikeout rate, there's little reason to believe he'll be a significant big-league asset any time soon.

Garcia was optioned to Triple-A New Orleans on Friday, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Garcia delivered scoreless outings in four of his five appearances since being called up in mid-April, though he ends up with a 9.00 ERA and 1.20 WHIP as he allowed five runs in the other appearance. The 26-year-old seems a likely candidate to return to the majors when the Marlins need further pitching help.

Bowman was optioned to Triple-A Louisville on Friday.

Bowman was called up for the first time this season Wednesday but did not get into a game. He'll make way on the roster for Nick Senzel, who was called up for his big-league debut in a corresponding move.

Barraclough gave up two hits and struck out two in two-thirds of an inning to record his third hold of the season in Thursday's win over the Cardinals.

The former Marlin has found a groove, as seven of the last nine outs he's racked up have come via strikeout. Barraclough's 1.54 ERA looks sharp, but his shaky control (seven walks in 11.2 innings) has left him with a 1.63 WHIP. Still, his current form -- and the struggles of the rest of the Nats' bullpen -- has him in a setup role at the moment.

Edwards has a 2.57 ERA and is allowing opposing hitters to bat just .125 against him In seven innings with Triple-A Iowa.

Edwards was sent down to Triple-A after a sluggish start to the season at the MLB level, and so far he's pitched well. The 27-year-old has a 7:2 K:BB with Iowa, which is an improvement from his 2:5 K:BB in just 1.2 innings with the Cubs this year. Edwards should be back up at some point if he continues to exhibit good control and post solid returns at Triple-A.

Hudson (2-2) allowed two runs (one earned) on four hits and two walks while striking out seven across six innings but took the loss Thursday against the Nationals.

Hudson turned in his first quality start and longest outing of the season, holding the Nationals without an extra-base hit in the process. He also struck out a season-best seven batters on the strength of 16 called strikes and 15 swinging strikes. On the whole, he hasn't been particularly impressive, compiling a 4.80 ERA and and 1.73 WHIP across 30 innings while posting a 26:15 K:BB.

Manager Dave Roberts said Alexander was unavailable for Wednesday's 2-1 loss to the Giants due to a tight hamstring, Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times reports.

The absence of Alexander -- the Dodgers' top LOOGY -- loomed large entering the bottom of the ninth, when the game was tied 1-1 and a string of left-handed batters were due up for San Francisco. Roberts was instead forced to turn to the Dodgers' only other southpaw reliever, Julio Urias, who allowed two of the four batters he faced to reach base before Pedro Baez served up a walkoff single to Buster Posey. Roberts didn't suggest that Alexander's injury was a major concern, so the hope is that the 29-year-old will be ready to go for the weekend series with the Padres.

Strahm (1-2) picked up the win against the Braves on Thursday, giving up two earned runs on eight hits over six innings, striking out six and walking none in the Padres' 11-2 victory.

Strahm capitalized on a big day from the Padres' lineup, hurling a quality start and picking up his first win of the season. The 27-year-old was tagged for five earned by the Diamondbacks in his first start of the season, but he hasn't given up more than two runs in any of his four starts since then, leaving him with a solid 3.03 ERA, a 1.10 WHIP and a 27:5 K:BB over 32.2 innings.

Manager Dave Martinez said Williams (shoulder) threw 40 pitches at extended spring training earlier in the week, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

Martinez also noted that Williams is recovering well from the sprained AC joint that forced him onto the injured list in mid-April. The 26-year-old Williams will continue to work his way back at extended spring training before ultimately being cleared to rejoin the big-league bullpen.

The Brewers optioned Hart to Triple-A San Antonio on Thursday.

As one of the few members of the Milwaukee bullpen with minor-league options remaining, Hart will head to Triple-A as the Brewers exchange him for a fresher relief arm (Taylor Williams) ahead of Thursday's series finale with the Rockies. Hart was one of six pitchers used in the Brewers' bullpen game Wednesday and was by far the most effective, blanking Colorado over three innings while allowing only two baserunners.