MLB Player News

The Dodgers optioned Barnes to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Thursday.

After giving up seven earned runs in seven bulk-relief innings Wednesday, Barnes will be sent back to Triple-A to make room for a fresh arm in the form of Paul Gervase. The 30-year-old Barnes has now given up 10 runs over 12 innings in the majors this season, but he remains an option to rejoin the big club later in the year to provide length out of the bullpen.

The Dodgers recalled Gervase from Triple-A Oklahoma City on Thursday.

Gervase has turned in a 3.60 ERA and 1.44 WHIP through 25 innings with Oklahoma City and hasn't given up a run in nine innings across his last seven outings. He'll now return to Los Angeles to give the Dodgers a fresh arm capable of handling multiple innings out of the bullpen, replacing Charlie Barnes.

Rangel did not factor into the decision Thursday against the Pirates, allowing three hits and four walks over four scoreless innings. He struck out four.

Rangel had trouble with his command Thursday, throwing only 54 of his 90 pitches for strikes, though he was able to tiptoe his way through danger to hold the Pirates off the board. The outing was the first traditional start of the season for Rangel, whose previous three appearances came in bulk relief. Overall, the right-hander sports a 3.38 ERA with a 1.31 WHIP and 17:6 K:BB across 16 innings this season. Should he remain in the rotation, Rangel would line up for a road matchup with the Reds in his next outing.

The Nationals signed Pilkington to a minor-league contract Thursday, Mark Zuckerman of NatsJournal.com reports.

Pilkington had been at Triple-A Toledo in the Tigers organization, where he held a 5.40 ERA and 30:28 K:BB over 33.1 innings. The lefty made 32 appearances out of the Nationals' bullpen in 2025, collecting a 4.45 ERA and 34:17 K:BB in 28.1 frames.

The Giants outrighted Ramos to Triple-A Sacramento on Thursday.

Ramos was recently designated for assignment and will remain in the organization after passing through waivers unclaimed. The 25-year-old has allowed five runs with a 1:4 K:BB in his two innings with the Giants this season and has posted a 4.13 ERA and 32:12 K:BB in 32.2 frames with Sacramento.

Romero leads all of baseball with 20 holds this season.

While the left-handed reliever has been valuable for leagues that have holds as a category, he's trended in the wrong direction since the beginning of June in yielding eight runs over 10.1 innings. Romero is the only trusted lefty reliever the Cardinals have, so he should continue to stay busy, though the impending free agent will be a trade candidate this month.

Rodriguez (shoulder) struck out a batter and allowed three earned runs on two hits and one walk across 1.1 innings Wednesday in a rehab start for the Brewers' rookie-level Arizona Complex League affiiate.

Milwaukee optioned Rodriguez to Triple-A Nashville on May 31, but he didn't make an appearance in the minors before reverting to the Brewers' injured list June 8 after being diagnosed with a right shoulder impingement. While pitching in his first game in a month Wednesday, Rodriguez retired just four of the eight batters he faced. He'll likely get stretched out as a starter over the course of his rehab assignment but is expected to be optioned to Nashville once the Brewers are ready to activate him from the 15-day IL.

Walker allowed four earned runs on four hits while failing to record an out in Wednesday's 6-4 win over the Diamondbacks.

Walker entered in the eighth inning and gave up three singles and a double before being pulled. The right-hander has surrendered six runs over 1.2 innings in his last three appearances, totaling 42 pitches during that span. He now owns a 7.06 ERA, 1.75 WHIP and 18:12 K:BB across 21.2 innings in 24 outings this season.

Assad is slated to start Sunday's game against the Cardinals at Wrigley Field, Jared Wyllys of AllCHGO.com reports.

After pitching 2.2 innings of long relief behind Matthew Boyd in his most recent appearance during Tuesday's 9-7 win over the Padres, Assad will slot back into the rotation weekend. While Assad has rolled to a 3-0 record, 2.70 ERA and 0.96 WHIP over his last three starts, the Cubs' willingness to use him in relief earlier this week could indicate that he's the pitcher most likely to move to the bullpen once the banged-up Chicago rotation gets some further reinforcement. Among the Cubs' injured starters, Jameson Taillon (hamstring) is the closest to returning and is set to make a rehab start Sunday, but it's unclear if he'll be ready to return from the 15-day injured list during the final week before the All-Star break.

Smith picked up a hold in Wednesday's 6-4 win over Arizona, allowing one hit while striking out one in one inning.

After giving up a run in each of his previous two outings, Smith threw nine of his 13 pitches for strikes Wednesday and helped slow the Diamondbacks after they opened the eighth inning with four straight hits off Ryan Walker. Smith picked up his second hold of the season, with both coming in his last two appearances. The right-hander now owns a 1.86 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 11:4 K:BB across 9.2 innings in 11 games this season.