The Phillies optioned Johnson to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Tuesday.

Johnson fanned five over two scoreless frames Monday against the Orioles and boasts a 17:4 K:BB over 12.2 innings with the big club this season, but having minor-league options worked against him here. Joe Ross (back) has been activated from the injured list to absorb Johnson's roster spot.

The Phillies activated Ross (back) from the 15-day injured list Tuesday.

Ross has been sidelined since late July with back spasms but is ready to go following a brief rehab assignment. He'll fill a multi-inning relief role.

The Nationals optioned Brzykcy to Triple-A Rochester on Tuesday.

The right-hander reportedly had a chance to enter Washington's high-leverage mix after closer Kyle Finnegan was traded last week, but Brzykcy will instead be demoted after giving up six runs over one-third of an inning Sunday against the Brewers. The 26-year-old has a 9.00 ERA, 1.74 WHIP and 24:12 K:BB across 23 major-league innings this season.

The Nationals recalled Beeter from Triple-A Rochester on Tuesday.

The right-hander was acquired from the Yankees last week and is now receiving his first look with the Nationals. Beeter allowed six earned runs in two appearances with the Yankees this year, but he fared better at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre with a 3.54 ERA across 20.1 innings, though he still had an ugly 1.64 WHIP.

The Reds recalled Zulueta from Triple-A Louisville on Tuesday.

Zulueta will provide a fresh relief arm after the Reds' bullpen had to cover 7.1 innings in Monday's win over the Cubs. The right-hander has made two appearances for Cincinnati this season, allowing one run across 2.1 frames.

Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said Tuesday that Thompson (lat) has suffered another setback, Matt Pauley of KMOX Sports reports.

Marmol didn't offer any additional specifics on Thompson's status, but it's yet another setback with a left lat strain that's kept the hurler out all season. At this stage of the season, the odds of Thompson making it back to pitch this year appear long. The bigger question might be whether he needs surgery, and that is unclear.

Martin gave up six runs while failing to record an out in Monday's loss to the Phillies.

Martin notched a save last week against the Blue Jays, thrusting himself into the closer conversation as part of a bullpen that's lost Felix Bautista (shoulder) to injury and Gregory Soto, Seranthony Dominguez and Andrew Kittredge to trades. However, in his two appearances since that save, Martin has entered in the sixth inning both times. He managed to pitch around a couple hits in the first of those outings, but he was not so lucky Monday. The Orioles' bullpen remains unsettled, but it seems unlikely Martin will be entrusted with another save chance anytime soon.

The Orioles claimed Garcia off waivers from the Mets on Tuesday, Ari Alexander of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

Just within the last month, Garcia has bounced around from the Mets to the Yankees, back to the Mets and now to the Orioles via waivers. The righty reliever holds a 3.52 ERA and 18:4 K:BB over 15.1 major-league innings this season and will join an unsettled Baltimore bullpen.

Bednar earned a hold against Texas on Monday, striking out one batter in a perfect inning.

Bednar got the call in the eighth frame with the Yankees up by a run. He set the side down in order on 11 pitches (eight strikes). This was a much better outcome than in Bednar's team debut Aug. 1, when he allowed two runs on four hits over 1.2 innings. The veteran reliever entered in the seventh frame in that game, so it appears New York has him tabbed for a setup role. That said, Devin Williams blew his second straight save Monday and has yielded at least one run in three straight outings, so the team could shift to Bednar at closer if Williams continues to struggle.

The Yankees designated Brubaker for assignment Tuesday.

Brubaker returned to the majors this year after missing two seasons due to injury, posting a 3.38 ERA and 10:9 K:BB over 16 relief innings. Given his $1.82 million salary, it seems unlikely the right-hander will be claimed on waivers.