MLB Player News

Morgan (knee) made a rehab appearance Sunday at Triple-A El Paso, allowing one hit and no walks over an inning of relief.

Morgan kicked off a rehab assignment in the rookie-level Arizona Complex League over the All-Star break, but he made just one appearance before being shut down due to soreness in his right trapezius muscle. The right-hander was able to move past the setback quickly and will likely need just a couple more appearances in the minors before he's deemed ready to rejoin the San Diego bullpen. Morgan submitted a 4.50 ERA and 1.77 WHIP over 18 appearances for the Padres before landing on the shelf June 29 due to left knee inflammation.

Pivetta (forearm) is slated to make a rehab appearance for Single-A Lake Elsinore on Tuesday.

Pivetta has been on the injured list since April 14 due to a right forearm strain, but he's finally reached the last stage of his lengthy recovery process. He won't be the only rehabbing starter slated to pitch for Lake Elsinore on Tuesday, as Joe Musgrove (elbow) is also on track to either start or pitch in relief behind Pivetta. Given the length of his absence, Pivetta would normally require most of his 30-day window to get fully stretched out for a return to the San Diego rotation, but the Padres will give him the chance to streamline his rehab assignment. According to Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune, Pivetta is expected to be activated from the 60-day IL before Aug. 22, when his stay on the shelf would reach 130 days. Per the terms of the four-year contract Pivetta signed in February 2025, if he's deactivated for 130 consecutive days at any point this season or next, his $14 million player option for 2027 and $18 million player option for 2028 would turn into club options.

Petersen (forearm) struck out two batters and allowed no hits and one walk over a scoreless inning of relief en route to claiming his 18th hold of the season in Sunday's 2-0 win over the Mets.

Petersen suffered an injury scare a week ago when he took a line drive off of his right forearm, but he escaped with little more than a bruise and was deemed ready to pitch after a few days of rest. The righty made his return to the mound in Thursday's series opener and was charged with two earned runs across two-thirds of an inning, but he was much sharper Sunday. His 18 holds lead the Marlins, and he lowered his ERA to 3.13 for the season after tossing the scoreless frame.

The Nationals transferred Poulin (forearm) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Sunday.

Poulin had been on the shelf since July 19 due to a left flexor strain, and his move to the 60-day IL ensures that he'll remain out through Sept. 13. The southpaw's move to the 60-day frees up a spot on the 40-man roster for one of Yovanny Cruz and Jake Bird, two of the four players the Nationals acquired Sunday in the deal that sent Luis Garcia to the Yankees.

The Nationals optioned Cornelio to Triple-A Rochester following Sunday's 4-2 loss to Atlanta.

Cornelio will return to Triple-A after just over a month-long stay in the big leagues. The right-hander posted a 4.63 ERA and 1.80 WHIP with 16 strikeouts over 11.2 innings in eight appearances in his second stint of the season with the Nationals. His demotion will clear a spot in the bullpen for right-hander Yovanny Cruz, who was one of four players the Nationals acquired from the Yankees on Sunday in exchange for first baseman Luis Garcia.

The Nationals acquired Bird and right-handers Yovanny Cruz, Ben Grable and Jack Cebert (undisclosed) from the Yankees on Sunday in exchange for first baseman Luis Garcia, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports. Washington optioned Bird to Triple-A Rochester.

Bird will be on the move from the second trade deadline in a row after being shipped from the Rockies to the Yankees last summer. Before the Yankees optioned him to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on July 19, Bird had struggled over 36 appearances with the Yankees, pitching to a 5.93 ERA and 1.55 WHIP with 31 strikeouts over 30.1 innings in 36 appearances. Though he'll start out his time in the Nationals organization at Triple-A, Bird might not have to wait long for a call-up to a Washington bullpen that's lacking in dependable arms.

Peguero (hamstring) threw a 15-pitch live bullpen session Friday at the Giants' facility in Arizona, MLB.com reports.

Peguero is scheduled to repeat the activity again Wednesday, and if all goes well, he could then start throwing live batting practice. The reliever has been on the shelf since June 1 due to a left hamstring strain and appears to be trending toward a late-August return from the injured list.

The Giants transferred Gage (elbow) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Sunday.

After landing on the IL on July 4 due to a left flexor strain, Gage received a platelet-rich plasma injection July 11 and was scheduled to be re-evaluated in the second week of August, per MLB.com. Gage's move to the 60-day IL indicates that the Giants aren't counting on him being ready to rejoin the big-league bullpen until at least Sept. 2. The transaction also opens up a spot on the 40-man roster for infielder Buddy Kennedy, who was claimed off waivers from the Mariners on Sunday.

Cruz and three minor-league pitchers were traded to the Nationals from the Yankees in exchange for Luis Garcia on Sunday, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

Cruz will head to Washington after he posted a 1.69 ERA and 0.75 WHIP with six strikeouts over 5.1 innings in four appearances with the Yankees this season. The right-hander will likely slot right into the Nationals' major-league bullpen upon his arrival with the organization. Minor-league pitchers Jake Bird, Ben Grable and Jack Cebert will also head to Washington in the transaction.

Lopez underwent an MRI on Sunday that showed no structural damage to his left knee, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Lopez was placed on the 15-day injured list earlier in the day due to knee inflammation, and more thorough testing hasn't turned up anything beyond that. Manager Walt Weiss noted that he's hopeful Lopez will be able to return from the IL when first eligible Aug. 14.