MLB Player News

Yesavage (4-5) took the loss Sunday against the White Sox, allowing three runs on five hits and two walks in six innings. He struck out nine.

Yesavage overpowered the Chicago bats at times, generating a whopping 21 whiffs on the afternoon, and he hung on for a quality start after the White Sox plated a pair of runs in the sixth inning. The nine punchouts were a season high for the right-hander, who has now logged three quality starts in his past four outings. Yesavage has been wild occasionally, walking at least five in four of his last nine appearances, but he's still maintained a healthy 3.78 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 78:41 K:BB over 81 innings this year.

Burke (7-4) notched the win Sunday against Toronto, allowing no runs on two hits and one walk in 6.2 innings. He struck out five.

Burke was dominant Sunday, scattering two singles across 6.2 shutout innings. The 26-year-old right-hander is on an excellent run on the mound, tossing at least 5.1 frames while yielding two runs or fewer in six consecutive starts and posting a sterling 47:6 K:BB during that span. Burke will take a strong 3.20 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 120:34 K:BB over 112.1 innings into his next scheduled outing against Houston.

Wolfram tossed a perfect ninth inning to earn the save in Sunday's 5-2 win over the Astros. He did not record a strikeout.

With Tyler Wells and Andrew Kittredge unavailable, Wolfram was called upon in the ninth inning and recorded his first career save on just 12 pitches. On the year, the 29-year-old Wolfram owns a 4.55 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 32:8 K:BB to go along with 11 holds and one save across 29.2 innings.

The Nationals placed Poulin on the 15-day injured list Sunday due to a left flexor strain.

Poulin hadn't pitched in either of the Nationals' first two games following the All-Star break, so it's unclear when or how he sustained the forearm strain. He'll be eligible for activation July 31, but given the nature of his injury, Poulin seems likely to miss more than the minimum 15 days. Washington re-signed left-hander Matt Krook to a one-year deal Sunday to take Poulin's spot in the bullpen and on the 26-man active roster.

Valdez went 1-for-3 with a home run, two walks and two RBI in Sunday's 7-1 win over the Guardians.

Valdez had a classic three-true-outcomes game, walking twice and striking out twice before launching a two-run shot in the ninth inning. The 22-year-old is now riding a seven-game hitting streak, going deep six times with 15 RBI and eight runs scored during that span. He's slashing a ridiculous .305/.373/.733 with 12 homers, 32 RBI and 23 runs scored across his first 118 major-league plate appearances.

The Nationals transferred Lovelady (triceps) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Sunday.

Since landing on the IL on June 29 due to a left triceps strain, Lovelady has made limited progress in his recovery. Per MLB.com, Lovelady has been able to take part in strengthening work but has yet to resume a throwing program nearly three weeks after suffering the injury. The Nationals apparently weren't confident that Lovelady would be ready to return in the next five weeks, so he was moved to the 60-day IL in order to free up a spot on the 40-man roster for lefty Matt Krook, who re-signed with the organization on a one-year deal.

The Nationals re-signed Krook to a major-league contract prior to Sunday's game against the Athletics.

Krook had elected free agency after rejecting an outright assignment to Triple-A Rochester when Washington removed him from its 40-man roster a week ago, but he quickly ended up returning to the Nationals on a new deal. The 31-year-old will give Washington another left-handed option in its bullpen after PJ Poulin (forearm) was placed on the 15-day injured list Sunday.

Triple-A Charlotte reinstated Smith (shoulder) from its 7-day injured list Sunday.

The 22-year-old lefty will rejoin the Triple-A club after a five-week stint on the shelf due to a left shoulder impingement. Over 15 starts with Charlotte this season, Smith has submitted a 4.58 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 84:37 K:BB across 57 frames.

The White Sox released Sims on Sunday.

Sims will part ways with the organization for the second time this season, as he previously elected free agency after the White Sox designated him for assignment in late April. He later re-signed with Chicago but was unable to earn another look in the big leagues after submitting an 8.76 ERA, 2.11 WHIP and 20:14 K:BB in 12.1 innings over 13 appearances at Triple-A Charlotte.

Skenes (9-8) earned the win against the Guardians on Sunday, allowing one run on seven hits and two walks with eight strikeouts over seven innings.

Skenes allowed a run in the third inning but was impressive otherwise, generating 18 whiffs on 100 pitches en route to his third straight win. After surrendering seven earned runs in his first July start, the All-Star has yielded just five over his three victories since. He owns a 3.43 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 138:26 K:BB across 115.1 innings this season and lines up for a home matchup with the Cubs next weekend.