Nationals release reliever Wyatt Mills

More bullpen depth for the bullpen that is nothing but. Mills had a 5.68 ERA in six appearances with the Dodgers this year.

Mills loses his spot on Los Angeles’ 40-man roster during their flurry of trade deadline moves. The 31-year-old has made six relief appearances for the Dodgers this season.

Mills was last in action for the Dodgers at the end of June, and with Will Klein (elbow) placed on the injured list, he’ll get a chance to show he can help Los Angeles as a middle-relief option.

Mills retreats to the minors after striking out the side in a perfect frame during Tuesday’s showdown against the Athletics. The 31-year-old has allowed three runs over 4 1/3 frames for the Dodgers this season.

Mills returns to the Dodgers bullpen mix in place of Jonathan Hernández after giving up three runs over 3 1/3 innings earlier this season. The 31-year-old will operate in middle relief situations for Los Angeles.

Mills heads back to the minors to make room for veteran lefty Eric Lauer on the Dodgers’ active roster. The 31-year-old righty allowed three runs over 3 1/3 innings during four appearances for the Dodgers since being called up back on May 10.

The Dodgers wanted to add a fresh bullpen arm to the mix on Sunday so Mills will get his first opportunity to pitch for the Dodgers this season. The 31-year-old hurler posted a 3.26 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and a 28/7 K/BB ratio over 19 1/3 innings in his first 14 appearances at Triple-A Oklahoma City. Paul Gervase was optioned to Triple-A in a corresponding move.

DePaula is a top-20 prospect in dynasty formats and ranks alongside fellow outfielders Eduardo Quintero, Zyhir Hope and Mike Sirota at the top of Los Angeles’ farm system. The 20-year-old phenom has a chance to make his big-league debut later this season after hitting .250/.391/.400 with 12 homers and 32 steals in 445 plate appearances between Double-A Tulsa and High-A Great Lakes last year. It’s a tough break for Ward, who has been marooned at the Triple-A level for several years now and seemingly has nothing left to prove in the Pacific Coast League. He’ll have to wait a bit longer for his chance.

Mills finished out last year in the Dodgers organization, though he didn’t get into a game. The right-hander showed some promise with the Red Sox in 2022, but he had Tommy John the following year and hasn’t pitched in the majors since. He had a 3.12 ERA and a 49/30 K/BB in 52 innings for Boston’s Triple-A team last season.

Mills missed the previous two seasons recovering from Tommy John surgery after being shipped over from Kansas City. The 30-year-old battled control issues this season at the Triple-A level, finishing with a pedestrian 3.12 ERA and 49/30 K/BB ratio across 52 innings (32 appearances, seven starts).