MLB Player News

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.

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.

Yarbrough will operate as the Yankees' opening pitcher for the nightcap of Sunday's doubleheader against the Dodgers, Jorge Castillo of ESPN.com reports.

Yarbrough, a southpaw, will face at least two left-handed batters in Shohei Ohtani and Freddie Freeman, while three of the top five batters in the Dodgers' lineup are left-handed. After Yarbrough's night comes to an end, Elmer Rodriguez figures to follow out of the bullpen. Yarbrough has posted a 3.72 ERA and 1.34 WHIP over 9.2 frames in his last eight appearances, and he hasn't exceeded two innings in an appearance since June 16.

The Yankees optioned Bird to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Sunday.

After allowing five earned runs in one-third of an inning in the Yankees' 8-2 loss in the first game of Sunday's doubleheader with the Dodgers, Bird was sent down to Triple-A in advance of Game 2. The Yankees will swap Bird off the 26-man active roster for a fresh bullpen arm in Kervin Castro, who was recalled from Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in a corresponding move.

The Yankees recalled Castro from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Sunday.

Castro will be up with the big-league club for the second time this season, after he previously made a two-inning relief appearance May 8 in Milwaukee during his abbreviated stint with the Yankees. The 27-year-old has been one of the stronger performers out of the Triple-A bullpen this season, posting a 2.05 ERA, 0.84 WHIP and 27:6 K:BB in 26.1 innings.

The Dodgers recalled Hurt from Triple-A Oklahoma City to serve as their 27th man for the second game of Sunday's doubleheader with the Yankees, Maddie Lee of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Hurt could be called upon to cover an inning or two in relief while the Dodgers treat the final contest of the twin bill as a bullpen game. Over 32 appearances with Los Angeles this season, 28-year-old Hurt has posted a 4.88 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 38:16 K:BB in 31.1 innings.

Klein will serve as the Dodgers' opening pitcher Sunday in the second game of their doubleheader against the Yankees, Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Klein will make his third start of the campaign but is expected to be limited to one or two innings before turning the game over to the bullpen. The 26-year-old right-hander has posted a 2.41 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 43:16 K:BB in 37.1 innings over 32 appearances with Los Angeles.

Detroit transferred Vest (elbow) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Sunday.

Vest was initially placed on the IL on July 1 due to posterior right elbow inflammation, but follow-up tests later revealed a stress fracture. The injury will result in an extended absence for Vest, who won't be eligible for activation until Aug. 27. Through 27 appearances on the season, the 31-year-old reliever has turned in a 6.08 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 27:10 K:BB in 26.2 innings.

Baltimore transferred Helsley (elbow) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Sunday.

Though he was cleared of any structural damage to his UCL following a recent MRI, Helsley is tending to inflammation around the ligament and will require an extended period of rest and recovery. The Orioles are optimistic that the 31-year-old will be activated from the IL before the end of the season, but a clearer target date for his return won't be known until he starts throwing again. At the very least, Helsley's move to the 60-day IL ensures he won't be available for the Orioles until Aug. 29. While Helsley is on the shelf, Tyler Wells and Andrew Kittredge look to be the top options for saves out of the Baltimore bullpen.

Baltimore optioned Sanders to Triple-A Norfolk on Sunday.

After being acquired from the Pirates on Monday, Sanders was initially optioned to Norfolk before joining the Orioles ahead of their weekend series in Houston. He was used in relief in both of the first two games of the series, striking out two over 1.2 perfect innings while notching his first MLB win Friday and his first MLB save Saturday. The Orioles opted to replace Sanders on the 26-man active roster with catcher Sam Huff, who was called up from Triple-A in a corresponding move.