MLB Player News

The Orioles traded Nicolas to the Nationals on Wednesday in exchange for infielder Randal Diaz.

Nicolas was pushed off the Orioles' 40-man roster Saturday, but he'll reclaim a roster spot upon joining the Nationals. The 27-year-old righty will report to Triple-A Rochester after turning in a 5.40 ERA and 2.30 WHIP across 20 innings in the minors this year.

Dreyer will start Wednesday's game against the Athletics.

The Dodgers will rely on their bullpen to get through Wednesday's contest, and it'll be Dreyer getting the call to take the mound for the first inning. The 27-year-old will be making his first start of the season after posting a 3.51 ERA and 1.08 WHIP across 33.1 innings out of the bullpen.

The Pirates optioned Bidois to Triple-A Indianapolis on Wednesday.

After making just three outings for Pittsburgh since being called up on June 13, Bidois will head back to Indianapolis. The 25-year-old most recently appeared Monday, allowing three earned runs on four hits and a walk while striking out two in just two-thirds of an inning against Philadelphia. The Pirates will replace Bidois with Cam Sanders on the 26-man roster.

The Pirates recalled Sanders from Triple-A Indianapolis on Wednesday.

Sanders has given up just two earned runs while striking out 19 batters in 10 innings since being sent down to Triple-A at the end of May. He'll now return to the majors to give the Pirates' bullpen a fresh arm, though he'll likely be limited to low-leverage situations given that he's surrendered six runs in six innings with Pittsburgh. Brandan Bidois was optioned to Indianapolis in a corresponding move.

The Yankees optioned Cruz to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Wednesday.

Cruz struck out three batters over two scoreless innings Tuesday, giving him six punchouts through 4.1 shutout frames to begin his MLB career. He'll lose his place in New York's bullpen in preparation for David Bednar's return from the paternity list, but Cruz's strong showings with the big club will likely buy him more opportunities in the Bronx later this summer.

The Dodgers recalled Barnes from Triple-A Oklahoma City ahead of Wednesday's matchup against the Athletics.

In the series finale against the Athletics on Wednesday, Barnes is expected to be a part of a bullpen game for the Dodgers. The 30-year-old will make his first major-league appearance since May 16, when he pitched a scoreless frame and picked up a strikeout against the crosstown Angels. To make room for Barnes on the roster, the Dodgers optioned Wyatt Mills to Oklahoma City.

Waldrep could start Thursday's game against the Cardinals if he isn't needed out of the bullpen Wednesday, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Reynaldo Lopez is starting Wednesday's game, and if he's able to go at least 4-to-5 innings, Atlanta will likely go with Waldrep as its starter for Thursday's series finale. If the right-hander has to pitch in relief Wednesday, however, Grant Holmes could draw Thursday's start. Waldrep had surgery to remove loose bodies from his right elbow back in February, but he threw 55 pitches over two scoreless relief innings during his season debut for Atlanta last week. His highest pitch count over five minor-league starts was 71, so the righty isn't fully stretched out yet.

The Astros rescinded Teng's option and placed him on the 15-day injured list Wednesday with a right knee sprain, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Teng had been sent down to Triple-A Sugar Land following Saturday's start versus the Tigers, but it's been determined he suffered an injury before that transaction and will instead hit the injured list. It's unclear how long the right-hander might be sidelined.

Phillies interim manager Don Mattingly said Wednesday that Keller (forearm) is expected to return before the All-Star break, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

Keller threw a live batting practice session Tuesday and could make a rehab appearance Friday. The right-handed reliever has been sidelined since mid-June with forearm tendinitis, and he might require just the one rehab outing before being reinstated from the 15-day injured list.

Sousa (elbow) will throw a simulated game at Daikin Park on Wednesday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Sousa has been limited to only five appearances for the Astros this season, first missing time due to an oblique strain and more recently battling left elbow inflammation. He's been shelved for nearly two months but appears close to throwing in a game. Sousa appears unlikely to join the Astros' active roster before the All-Star break.