MLB Player News

The Cubs optioned Bigge to Triple-A Iowa on Sunday, Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic reports.

Though right-hander Javier Assad was designated as the 27th man for Saturday's doubleheader against the Cardinals after being activated from the injured list earlier in the day, he'll stick around with the Cubs and Bigge will be the odd man out as Chicago reduces its roster to 26 players ahead of Sunday's series finale in St. Louis. After being called up from Triple-A last Sunday, Bigge made three appearances out of the Cubs bullpen, giving up one earned run on one hit and two walks while striking out three over 2.1 innings.

The Nationals recalled Willingham from Triple-A Rochester on Sunday.

Willingham joins the Washington bullpen as a replacement for right-hander Hunter Harvey, who was traded to the Royals on Saturday. The 25-year-old Willingham has pitched exclusively at Rochester this season, logging a 4.54 ERA and 1.43 WHIP over 39.2 innings. He'll likely be ticketed for low-leverage relief work while he's up with the Nationals.

The Rockies reinstated Rogers (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list Sunday and optioned him to Triple-A Albuquerque.

Rogers had been in the midst of a rehab assignment with Albuquerque and will remain with the Rockies' top affiliate even though he's made a full recovery from the left rotator cuff strain that resulted in his placement on the IL on June 17. The southpaw had posted a 6.75 ERA and 1.50 WHIP in 9.1 innings over his five appearances out of the Colorado bullpen prior to landing on the IL.

The Rockies optioned Chivilli to Double-A Hartford on Sunday.

Chivilli was moved off the 26-man active roster to clear a spot for right-hander German Marquez (elbow), who was activated from the 60-day injured list ahead of his scheduled start Sunday versus the Mets. After being called up from Double-A on Saturday, Chivilli went unused out of the bullpen in the Rockies' 7-3 loss in the second game of the series.

The Blue Jays recalled Eisert from Triple-A Buffalo on Sunday, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

Eisert will take over the 26-man active roster spot of right-hander Bowden Francis, who was sent down to the minors in a corresponding move. The left-handed Eisert has made one appearance with the Blue Jays this season, tossing two scoreless innings June 17 versus Boston.

Romero (4-1) allowed a hit and a walk over two-thirds of an inning without allowing a run, earning the win in Game 2 of Saturday's doubleheader versus the Cubs.

Romero was a little shaky but got the job done in the eighth inning. The Cardinals then took the lead with a two-run single by Nolan Arenado in their half of the frame to put Romero in line for the win. He hasn't been charged with a run over his last eight appearances, allowing seven hits and two walks over six innings in that span. For the season, the setup man has a 2.43 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, 34:9 K:BB, 26 holds and four blown saves across 40.2 innings.

The Blue Jays optioned Francis to Triple-A Buffalo on Sunday, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

Francis tossed two scoreless innings in relief Saturday and will move down to the minors in favor of a fresh arm in left-hander Brandon Eisert, who was recalled from Triple-A in a corresponding move. The right-hander had been struggling prior to Saturday's outing, allowing seven earned runs over his previous five frames.

The Dodgers optioned Vanasco to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Sunday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Vanasco will cede his spot on the 26-man active roster to right-hander Brent Honeywell, who will get the start in Sunday's series finale versus the Tigers after being claimed off waivers from the Pirates a day earlier. During his latest stint with the Dodgers, Vanasco made his lone appearance in Saturday's 11-9 extra-inning loss to the Tigers and failed to record an out while getting charged with three earned runs on three hits.

Otanez, who was removed from the Athletics' 11-5 loss to the Phillies on Saturday after taking a line drive off his pitching arm in the eighth inning, is dealing with a forearm bruise in the aftermath, the Associated Press reports.

The right-handed reliever had just been recalled from Triple-A Las Vegas earlier in the day due to Luis Medina's (elbow) placement on the injured list. Otanez's injury is muscular in nature, according to manager Mark Kotsay. Otanez isn't likely to be used in Sunday's series finale in Philadelphia but should be ready to go coming out of the All-Star break.

The Brewers selected Kuhnel's contract from Triple-A Nashville on Sunday, Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Milwaukee designated southpaw Dallas Keuchel for assignment to clear room on the 40-man roster and 26-man active roster for Kuhnel, who will join the Brewers for the second time this season. Kuhnel's previous stint with Milwaukee lasted just one day, as he was called up from Nashville on June 25 before being designated for assignment a day later and eventually accepting an outright assignment back to the Triple-A club.