MLB Player News

The Cubs selected Woodford's contract from Triple-A Iowa on Wednesday.

Woodford elected to enter free agency July 17 after being DFA'd by the Cubs six days earlier, but he opted to remain in the organization on a minor-league contract. He's now back with the big club, with the Cubs designating Andrew Wantz for assignment in a corresponding move. Woodford has appeared in 17 games between the Cubs and Brewers this season and has a 7.46 ERA, 1.82 WHIP and 23:7 K:BB across 25.1 innings.

Fairbanks recorded his 15th save Wednesday against the Phillies, striking out one in a perfect ninth inning.

Fairbanks entered the ninth with a two-run lead and retired the side in order on 13 pitches (10 strikes) to secure his 15th save of the season. The veteran closer has now converted saves in consecutive appearances and has recorded at least one strikeout in nine of his last 10 outings. Despite the swing-and-miss upside he's shown, Fairbanks has allowed eight runs (seven earned) across 9.1 innings during that 10-appearance stretch and still has an ugly 6.96 ERA over 36 appearances this year.

The Astros optioned Ullola to Triple-A Sugar Land on Wednesday.

Ullola gave up three earned runs in just one inning after getting called up Sunday, and he'll now lose his spot in the Astros' bullpen in order to make room for Hayden Wesneski's (elbow) return from the IL. Ullola owns a 4.92 ERA and 1.40 WHIP through 53 innings at Sugar Land and could make a few more appearances for Houston down the stretch as a replacement for a tired arm.

The Nationals optioned Schultz to Triple-A Rochester on Wednesday.

The move comes after the Nationals' 5-2 loss to the Blue Jays on Wednesday, when Schultz gave up three earned runs on four hits while striking out one batter in two-thirds of an inning. The 28-year-old right-hander will return to Rochester, where he has a 2.30 ERA and 1.12 WHIP over 15.2 innings.

Ramirez will serve as the Pirates' opening pitcher for Thursday's game against the Reds, Danny Demilio of PittsburghBaseballNow.com reports.

Thursday will mark the first start of Ramirez's seven-year MLB career. He'll likely pitch one or two innings before turning the game over to Hunter Barco, who is expected to work in bulk relief, per Demilio. Ramirez has submitted a 3.21 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 62:33 K:BB across 56 innings this season.

The Rays placed Sulser on the 15-day injured list Wednesday due to lower-back spasms.

Tampa Bay recalled right-hander Chris Roycroft from Triple-A Durham to take over Sulser's spot in the bullpen. Sulser, who owns a 4.86 ERA and 1.32 WHIP over 46.1 innings with the Rays on the season, will be eligible to come off the IL on Aug. 10.

The Rays recalled Roycroft from Triple-A Durham on Wednesday.

Tampa Bay optioned Roycroft to Triple-A on Saturday, but he'll be eligible to rejoin the big club just four days later after reliever Cole Sulser (back) was placed on the 15-day injured list in a corresponding move. Roycroft is likely to be deployed in lower-leverage spots out of the bullpen while he's up with Tampa Bay.

The Reds optioned Franco (elbow) to Triple-A Louisville on Wednesday.

Franco will report back to Triple-A after he served as the Reds' 27th man for Wednesady's doubleheader with the Guardians. He was active for Game 2 of the twin bill and worked in bulk relief in the Reds' 2-0 victory, earning his first big-league win while striking out two and allowing one hit and two walks over 3.2 scoreless frames before exiting in the seventh inning due to right elbow discomfort. He'll likely undergo further testing before the Reds have a better idea regarding the extent of his injury, but Franco could be at risk of landing on the injured list if he isn't ready to go for his next turn through the rotation.

The Guardians optioned Espino to Triple-A Columbus on Wednesday.

As expected, Espino will head back to Triple-A after he was called up to serve as the Guardians' 27th man for Tuesday's doubleheader with the Reds. He appeared out of the bullpen in the Guardians' 2-0 loss in the second game of the twin bill, striking out three batters and issuing a walk over a scoreless inning.

Assad will start Thursday's game in St. Louis, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Shota Imanaga had been listed as the starter for Thursday's series finale, but he and the other Cubs starters will be pushed back in order to bake in some extra rest. Assad went three shutout innings out of the bullpen in his last appearance Saturday in Pittsburgh, so he'll be taking the ball on four days' rest. The righty hasn't made a start in nearly three weeks, so he won't have a full workload at his disposal.