MLB Player News

The Cardinals optioned Svanson to Triple-A Memphis on Saturday.

After giving up seven runs (six earned) in 3.2 innings following the All-Star break, Svanson will lose his place in St. Louis' bullpen to make room for the arrival of Quinn Mathews. Svanson owns a 7.27 ERA through 43.1 frames this season -- a sharp decline from his 1.94 ERA in 2025 -- but could still return to the majors if he rights the ship in Triple-A.

The Cardinals designated Hence for assignment Saturday.

Hence will lose his place on the 40-man roster to make room for Quinn Mathews, who was called up to start Saturday's game against Toronto. Hence has spent the entire season at Triple-A Memphis and owns a 6.64 ERA and 1.84 WHIP through 20.1 innings.

Romano earned the save in Friday's 3-1 win over Kansas City, striking out one batter in a scoreless ninth inning.

Romano opened the ninth inning by striking out Salvador Perez, and the former needed only six more pitches to close things out for the Rockies in Friday's series opener. Romano has logged saves in each of his last four outings, and since being called up by Colorado in early July, he has a 1.17 ERA and 1.30 WHIP over 7.2 innings.

Hernandez recorded his first career save against the Nationals on Friday, giving up one run on five hits and one walk over three innings. He struck out four.

A solo shot by Andres Chaparro accounted for the only blemish on Hernandez's line as he wrapped up a 6-2 win for starter Bryce Elder. Hernandez has made two long-relief appearances for Atlanta this season, both in late July, and he's produced a 1.50 ERA, 1.67 WHIP and 6:4 K:BB over six innings.

Santillan (oblique) was cleared Friday to begin an expedited recovery program, MLB.com reports.

Santillan was cleared after a follow-up MRI came back clean. The recovery program will begin with side sessions in the bullpen.

Pagan (4-1) was credited with the win Friday, striking out one in a scoreless, no-hit ninth inning during an 8-7 victory over the Pirates. He hit a batter with a pitch.

Caleb Ferguson and Pierce Johnson combined to blow a 5-4 lead in the top of the eighth inning, and after Cincinnati rallied to re-take the lead in the bottom of the frame, Pagan was awarded a win instead of a save for a ninth inning in which he threw just six of 14 pitches for strikes. Pagan has picked up a win or a save in six straight appearances, and since returning from the IL at the beginning of July he's produced a 1.93 ERA, 0.75 WHIP and 15:2 K:BB over 9.1 innings while converting all five of his save chances.

The Guardians traded Heuer and Bo Naylor to the Brewers on Saturday in exchange for Craig Yoho and Blake Perkins, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.

Heuer has made eight appearances in the majors this season, coughing up five earned runs across 9.2 innings while striking out six batters and walking five. He's been a bit more effective at Triple-A, pitching to a 3.46 ERA and 1.27 WHIP through 26 frames. He will begin his tenure with his new organization at Triple-A Nashville but should be near the top of the list of names primed for a promotion once Milwaukee needs a fresh bullpen arm.

Irvin (0-1) allowed six runs on eight hits, three walks and a hit batsman while striking out five over six innings to take the loss against the Red Sox on Friday.

Irvin ended up working a long-relief outing after getting called up from Triple-A Oklahoma City earlier in the day. He threw 67 of 102 pitches for strikes but couldn't keep the Red Sox's offense under control. This was Irvin's first big-league action since the 2024 campaign. The southpaw is likely in danger of being booted off the 26-man roster for a fresh arm or a trade acquisition after this lengthy outing.

Fairbanks earned the save in Friday's 5-2 win over the Mets, striking out one batter in a scoreless ninth inning.

Fairbanks opened the ninth inning with a four-pitch strikeout of Marcus Semien, and the endgamer needed just three more pitches to successfully close out Friday's game. Fairbanks has converted save chances in each of his last three outings and is up to 16 saves on the season, tied with Tanner Scott and Devin Williams for seventh most in the National League. It continues a trend in the right direction for Fairbanks, though he sports a 6.55 ERA and 1.34 WHIP across 34.1 innings this season.

Garcia earned the save in Friday's 4-1 win over the Guardians, striking out one in a perfect ninth inning.

Garcia was summoned to protect a three-run lead after a late surge by the Diamondbacks, and he closed the door on just seven pitches. With the club recently removing Paul Sewald from the closer role, the 26-year-old Garcia has converted consecutive save chances. He owns a 2.10 ERA, 0.80 WHIP and 36:7 K:BB to go along with 13 holds and three saves across 30 innings this season and appears to be the favorite for ninth-inning duties so long as he continues to pitch well.