MLB Player News

Chavez was traded from the Blue Jays to the Dodgers on Monday, Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports reports.

Chavez, who has posted a 4.57 ERA with 42 strikeouts in 41.1 innings, will give the Dodgers' bullpen much-needed depth, joining fellow right-handers Joe Blanton, Pedro Baez, Luis Coleman and Ross Stripling. The 32-year-old has been a starter and reliever for the Athletics and Blue Jays over the past five seasons.

Bickford was traded to the Brewers on Monday as part of the deal that sent Will Smith to the Giants, Alex Pavlovic of CSN Bay Area reports.

Bickford, one of the Giants' top prospects and the 18th pick in the 2015 draft, has had a fantastic season, posting a 2.71 ERA with 105 strikeouts in 93 innings between Low-A and High-A. He'll now become the Brewers' top prospect. He pitched an inning in the Futures game for the USA team, striking out two batters. Andrew Susac was also acquired by the Brewers in the deal.

Smith was traded to the Giants on Monday, Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports reports.

The 27-year-old put together a 3.68 ERA with 22 strikeouts in 22 innings for the Brewers. He'll now join fellow left-handers Javier Lopez and Matt Reynolds in the Giants bullpen. In return, the Brewers will receive right-handed pitching prospect Phil Bickford and catcher Andrew Susac.

Santillan was promoted to Low-A Dayton earlier last week and was named to the Pioneer League All-Star Game, though he won't participate in that, Better Off Red reports.

Santillan had a 3.92 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and a 46:16 K:BB over 39 innings at Billings in the Pioneer League. The 2015 second-round pick is still pretty raw, but at least he has shown that he can miss bats.

Garcia (biceps) recently hit a setback in his rehab, and it's uncertain when he'll pitch again, J.P. Hoornstra of the Los Angeles Daily News reports.

Manager Dave Roberts mentioned that Garcia's setback was related to one of his knees rather than his existing biceps injury, and while it's encouraging that his arm appears to be feeling fine, the interruption in the rehab process is obviously less than ideal. Garcia made rehab appearances for Double-A Tulsa on Thursday and Friday, so it's likely he picked up the knee ailment during the latter outing.

Lopez was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse on Sunday, Dan Kolko of MASN Sports reports.

Called on to make a spot start Saturday against the Giants, Lopez failed to get past the fourth inning, as he conceded three runs on four hits and five walks. At just 22, Lopez has plenty of time to develop his skills, and certainly has a role in the team's future. He could be an option for a September call-up, if he's not back before then. For now, he'll settle back into the Syracuse rotation, where he owns a 1.80 ERA over three starts.

Melancon was added to the Nationals' active roster Sunday, Dan Kolko of MASN Sports reports.

Melancon will provide the contending Nationals with desperately-needed bullpen help, as he projects to step into the closer role immediately. Moving from a fringe-.500 team to the NL East leaders can only help the fantasy value of the 31-year-old.

Lopez didn't factor into the decision in Saturday's 5-3 loss to the Giants, giving up three earned runs on four hits and five walks over four innings. He struck out four.

The 22-year-old had considerable struggles with his control, throwing only 51 of 92 pitches for strikes. Lopez did stay away from the long ball altogether, but his propensity for putting men on base constantly throughout his four frames did him no favors. He's generated a 9.35 ERA and whopping 2.31 WHIP over his two major league starts in 2016, a sharp contrast to the 2.90 and 1.17 figures he's managed in those respective categories at the minor league level between Double-A Harrisburg and Triple-A Syracuse.

Chapman gave up an earned run on one hit and a wild pitch in one-third of an inning in Saturday's 4-1 loss to the Mariners. He also recorded a strikeout.

The new Cubs closer couldn't hold a 1-0 lead in the eighth after relieving Hector Rondon. Chapman came on with two out and runners at the corners and promptly gave up a two-RBI double to Leonys Martin. After Martin subsequently stole third, he scored on the fireballing reliever's wild pitch. The 28-year-old had been perfect over the 2.1 innings spanning his first pair of appearances for Chicago while recording four strikeouts, and Saturday's earned run was the first he'd given up since June 27 with the Yankees.

Curtis was optioned to Double-A Mobile on Saturday.

The lefty gave up two runs on two hits (including a home run) while failing to record an out Friday, raising his ERA through 21 appearances to 6.75. He will look to get things ironed out and return to Arizona for at least the final month of the season.