MLB Player News

Junis improved to 3-0 on the season after striking out a batter and working around one hit and one walk over three scoreless innings of relief in Wednesday's 3-2 win over the Cubs.

The Brewers essentially deployed two bulk relievers as part of their bullpen game Wednesday. Opening pitcher Rob Zastryzny covered the first inning and gave up one run, with Bryse Wilson following him with four innings of one-run ball before Junis took the hill in the bottom of the sixth. With the Brewers breaking a 2-2 tie on Willson Contreras' RBI double in the top of the ninth, Junis was credited with the win when Joel Payamps came on in the bottom of the inning to close the game. Junis has now scooped up wins in three of his last four multi-inning relief appearances, but the Brewers don't seem compelled to have him fill the open spot in their five-man rotation. Instead, the club looks content to get by with bullpen days when a fifth starter is needed until one of Joe Ross (back) or DL Hall (knee/forearm) is ready to return from the 60-day injured list.

The Dodgers designated Ramirez for assignment Thursday.

Hewill end up as the Dodgers' roster casualty following the return of Clayton Kershaw (shoulder) from the 60-day IL, marking the fourth time Ramirez has been DFA'd this season. The 29-year-old righty owns a career-worst 5.98 ERA and 1.44 WHIP through 43.2 innings on the year, though he still may draw interest on the waiver wire from other teams in need of immediate bullpen help.

Gilbreath (elbow) allowed two runs (one earned) on one hit and one walk while striking out two across one inning in an Arizona Complex League game Tuesday.

Gilbreath is nearing a return from the Tommy John surgery he underwent in March 2023, and Tuesday's outing marked his first game action since late 2022. His time in the ACL is expected to be brief before his rehab assignment is shifted to the upper minors.

Lyles agreed to a minor-league contract with the Dodgers on Thursday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

A starter for most of his career, Lyles was moved to the bullpen coming out of spring training with the Royals but made just five appearances before he was placed on the restricted list April 20 due to a personal matter. Lyles never ultimately rejoined the team before Kansas City released him over the weekend, but the right-hander's willingness to sign with the Dodgers suggests he's ready to return to baseball. Because of the extensive time he's missed, Lyles could need some time to build up at the Dodgers' facility in Arizona before he likely reports to Triple-A Oklahoma City. With the Dodgers having lost multiple starting pitchers to long-term injuries, Lyles should help restore some rotation depth at Oklahoma City and could get a look in the big leagues later in the season if he fares well at Triple-A.

Atlanta recalled Hernandez from Triple-A Gwinnett on Thursday.

Hernandez was technically optioned earlier Thursday after serving as the 27th man for Atlanta in Wednesday's doubleheader against the Reds. He never actually left the team, though, and will be back in the bullpen as a middle-relief option.

Scott earned a save against the Orioles on Wednesday, issuing one walk and striking out one batter over one scoreless inning.

Scott entered in the top of the ninth and issued a leadoff walk, but that was wiped out when the next batter he faced grounded into a double play. The left-handed closer then got Ramon Urias to strike out to finish off the victory. The save was the second in as many days for Scott, and he extended his streak of scoreless outings to 16. Over that stretch, Scott has gone 10-for-10 in save opportunities while posting a 20:6 K:BB across 16.2 frames.

Liberatore (2-3) took the loss Wednesday, coughing up five runs on four hits and three walks over three-plus innings as the Cardinals were downed 5-0 by the Pirates. He struck out three.

The southpaw got a spot start at the end of a stretch of six games in five days for St. Louis, but Liberatore hadn't pitched since July 14 and looked rusty as Pittsburgh ambushed him for four runs in the second inning, before he served up a solo shot to Rowdy Tellez to lead off the fourth. Liberatore tossed 69 pitches (43 strikes) before exiting, which will leave him unavailable out of the bullpen for a few more days. Through 55 innings this season, he carries a 4.75 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 44:20 K:BB.

Atlanta optioned Logue to Triple-A Gwinnett on Wednesday.

Logue's contract was selected from Gwinnett in preparation for Wednesday's twin bill against the Reds, but the second game was rained out, so the 28-year-old will now return to Triple-A without appearing in a game. He'll keep his spot on the 40-man roster, however, and he could still be called upon to provide Atlanta with a fresh bullpen arm after posting a 3.08 ERA in 73 minor-league innings.

Atlanta returned Hernandez to Triple-A Gwinnett on Wednesday.

Hernandez was named as Atlanta's 27th man for Wednesday's doubleheader but was not needed, as the nightcap was postponed due to rain. The 27-year-old right-hander has thrown 9.2 scoreless innings while striking out 12 batters during his time in the majors this season and owns a 2.48 ERA and 1.45 WHIP through 29 frames in Triple-A.

The Dodgers designated Vanasco for assignment Wednesday.

The Dodgers optioned Vanasco to Triple-A on July 14, and the 25-year-old righty will now lose his spot on the 40-man roster in order to make room for Nick Ahmed, who signed a major-league deal with the team on Wednesday. Vanasco owns a 3.47 ERA and 1.73 WHIP through 23.1 innings in Triple-A on the year, and it's possible he attracts some interest on waivers from teams in need of bullpen depth.