MLB Player News

Brebbia was optioned to Triple-A Sacramento on Thursday.

Brebbia has served as a low-leverage reliever this season, and he'll head to the minors after he allowed four runs on three hits and no walks in two innings against the Dodgers on Wednesday. Right-hander Aaron Sanchez (biceps) will take his place in the bullpen after he was reinstated from the 60-day IL.

Poche (elbow) won't pitch in 2021, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Poche has been on the 60-day injured list since mid-February as he continues to recover from Tommy John surgery that he underwent in July of 2020. Manager Kevin Cash ruled the southpaw out for the season Thursday, and he'll now presumably shift his attention toward preparing for spring training in 2022.

Peralta (illness) will begin a rehab assignment with Double-A Somerset on Thursday.

Peralta has been out for two weeks after testing positive for COVID-19. Given the relatively brief nature of his absence, he probably won't need too many rehab outings before he's ready to return.

Rainey (lower leg) was activated off the 10-day injured list Thursday, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

Rainey wound up missing a month with a stress reaction in his right tibia. He could be in the mix for saves down the stretch, as the Nationals dealt Brad Hand to the Blue Jays on Thursday. His 42.7 percent strikeout rate and 2.66 ERA last year would make him seem like a strong candidate, though his strikeout rate has fallen to 26.5 percent this season while his ERA has ballooned to 6.93.

Luetge struck out four without allowing a hit or a walk over two innings in Wednesday's win over Tampa Bay.

After Nestor Cortes gave New York five strong innings as the starter, Luetge came on for the sixth and seventh frames with the score tied 1-1. The left-hander retired all six batters he faced, collecting two punchouts in each of his frames. Luetge hasn't pitched in many high-leverage spots but is putting together a strong campaign after a six-year absence from MLB, posting a 3.06 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 51:8 K:BB across 47 innings.

Long allowed two hits and a walk with two strikeouts across two innings in Wednesday's 8-0 loss to the Dodgers.

Long worked as a starter prior to a back strain that landed him on the injured list. He returned to a bullpen role Wednesday and delivered decent pitching in the fifth and sixth innings. The 26-year-old doesn't have a clear path back to the rotation without injuries arising, so he should be expected to provide multiple innings in relief going forward. He's pitched to a 5.19 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 27:8 K:BB through 26 innings this year.

Leone has allowed four runs (two earned) in his last four innings spanning five appearances.

In that span, the right-hander has yielded five hits and five walks while striking out five. He's had just one clean outing in that stretch. Leone has been solid in the middle innings with a 1.61 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, six holds and two blown saves across 22.1 innings, but he's experienced some regression after pitching incredibly after he was called up June 1.

Machado was recalled by the Nationals on Thursday, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

The Nationals had to make several changes to their roster Thursday with a handful of players landing on the COVID-19 injured list. Machado will give the team some extra bullpen depth, but his 12.54 ERA in 9.1 career MLB innings doesn't exactly inspire much confidence.

Barlow (3-3) walked one and struck out two in a scoreless inning to earn the win Wednesday versus the White Sox.

In his last five appearances, Barlow has collected two saves, two holds and a win as one of manager Mike Matheny's strongest high-leverage arms. Barlow worked the 10th inning Wednesday, keeping the game tied to allow Michael Taylor to deliver a walkoff single in the bottom of the frame. The 28-year-old right-hander owns a 2.70 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 65:21 K:BB with six saves and 13 holds across 50 innings.

Abbott was optioned to Triple-A Iowa on Thursday, Maddie Lee of NBC Sports Chicago reports.

Abbott was recalled by the Cubs on Tuesday, but he'll return to the minors after he allowed three runs on three hits and two walks in one inning of relief during Wednesday's loss to the Reds. He could rejoin the Cubs as a low-leverage reliever at some point later in the campaign