MLB Player News

The Dodgers recalled Ramirez from Triple-A Oklahoma City on Thursday, Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Ramirez has allowed just one run across seven big-league innings this season, and he has thrown 5.2 shutout frames in Triple-A since being sent down in late April. The 34-year-old southpaw will likely serve in middle relief while with the Dodgers, and Eduardo Salazar will head back to Oklahoma City in a corresponding move.

Burke (hand) will begin a rehab assignment in the Arizona Complex League on Thursday.

Burke landed on the injured list April 13 after breaking his right (non-throwing) hand, and he'll now begin working his way back in rookie ball. The 27-year-old southpaw isn't eligible to return from the IL until June 12, so he will have plenty of time to ease his way back before rejoining the Rangers' bullpen.

The Pirates traded Contreras to the Angels on Thursday in exchange for cash considerations, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.

Contreras was designated for assignment by Pittsburgh on Saturday after posting a 4.41 ERA and 1.65 WHIP across 16.1 innings. The 24-year-old right-hander will replace Davis Daniel in the Angels' bullpen, though Contreras could also be moved into the starting rotation at some point.

The Angels optioned Daniel to Triple-A Salt Lake on Thursday.

For the second time this season, Daniel will return to the minors after a one-day stint with the Angels without seeing the field. The 26-year-old right-hander owns a 5.89 ERA and 1.63 WHIP across 36.2 innings in Triple-A.

The Athletics acquired Bielak from the Astros on Thursday in exchange for cash considerations, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Bielak had been designated for assignment and will wind up staying in the American League West. He's out of minor-league options, so the Athletics will need to add him to their active roster. Bielak holds a 5.71 ERA and 1.76 WHIP over 17.1 relief innings this season. While he's pitched exclusively out of the bullpen in 2024, the 28-year-old has plenty of past starting experience, so he could be an option for an Oakland rotation that needs arms.

The Athletics designated Lucas for assignment Thursday.

Lucas was pushed off the Athletics' 40-man roster after Oakland acquired right-hander Brandon Bielak via trade from Houston on Thursday. The former was optioned to Triple-A Las Vegas earlier this week but had made three appearances for the big club this season, giving up six earned runs on eight hits and three walks over 3.2 innings.

Fairbanks struck out two and didn't allow a baserunner in a scoreless eighth inning to pick up a hold in Wednesday's 4-3 win over the Red Sox.

Fairbanks entered the game in the eighth inning to face the heart of the Red Sox order and needed only seven pitches to get through the frame. While effective, his usage was concerning given that he had pitched nearly exclusively as a traditional closer early in the season. It's unclear whether manager Kevin Cash might continue to mix and match the back end of his bullpen, but Fairbanks could lose save opportunities moving forward.

Cronin gave up a hit and struck out one in 1.2 scoreless innings Wednesday, recording his first hold of the season in a win over the Tigers.

The 26-year-old right-hander entered the game in the sixth inning with the Marlins ahead 2-0 and blanked Detroit over 22 pitches (14 strikes) before passing the baton to Andrew Nardi in a combined shutout. Cronin isn't seeing consistent high-leverage usage, but he's been one of the few bright spots in Miami's bullpen this season, posting a 1.33 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 22:10 K:BB through 20.1 innings in a long-relief role.

Johnson (elbow) said he felt good after throwing live batting practice Wednesday, and he's on track to come off the injured list ahead of Friday's game against the Padres, Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

The right-hander has been on the shelf since late April due to right elbow inflammation. Johnson has been an effective part of Atlanta's setup crew this season, recording two wins, a save and three holds in 13 appearances with a 3.00 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 16:5 K:BB through 12 innings.

Doval earned the save over the Dodgers on Wednesday, allowing one hit and one walk over one inning while striking out two.

Doval entered the game with a three-run lead in the ninth and quickly retired the first two batters on strikes before walking Mookie Betts and surrendering a single to Shohei Ohtani. However, the right-hander was able to get Freddie Freeman to ground out for the final out and notch his seventh save in as many chances. Doval has also recorded two strikeouts in three straight appearances.