MLB Player News

Ginkel struck out the side in a perfect ninth inning Tuesday to record his first save of the season in a 16-13 win over Atlanta.

The right-hander faced the heart of the order for the NL East leaders and didn't flinch, getting Austin Riley, Matt Olson and Sean Murphy to all chase two-strike sliders. Scott McGough gave up six runs in 1.1 innings over his first two appearances after the All-Star break, so Arizona's closer role could once again be up for grabs, and Ginkel -- who has a 0.00 ERA, 0.32 WHIP and 12:2 K:BB through 12.1 innings since the beginning of June -- appears to be the next man up.

Robertson recorded his 13th save of the season in Tuesday's 11-10 win over the White Sox, giving up a run on a hit and two walks in the ninth inning.

The veteran reliever managed to get only 11 of his 22 pitches over the plate, but he got Tim Anderson to fly out with runners on second and third to escape the jam he had created. Robertson could be wearing down after a busy first half, and over his last eight appearances he has a 4.32 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 6:5 K:BB through 8.1 innings. Adam Ottavino's not pitching any better at the moment, however, and the Mets don't have any other clear alternatives for the closer role, so Robertson's job appears to be safe -- unless the front office decides to have a fire sale at the trade deadline.

Romero (2-0) struck out two in a perfect inning to earn the extra-inning win over the Marlins on Tuesday.

Romero's clean nine-pitch inning set the stage for Nolan Arenado's walk-off blast in the bottom of the 10th. This was Romero's second win in his last four appearances -- in that span, he's allowed a hit and two walks over six innings while adding nine strikeouts. The 26-year-old is trending up in the Cardinals' bullpen, especially after Genesis Cabrera was designated for assignment Monday. The left-handed Romero figures to have a chance for any late-inning matchup-based assignments over the other southpaw in the bullpen, Zack Thompson, who is better suited to multi-inning outings.

Rogers (2-4) allowed a walk in a scoreless and hitless inning to earn the win in Monday's suspended game versus the Reds.

The game resumed Tuesday, and Rogers did his part to keep it tied at 2-2 in the ninth inning before the Giants pulled ahead in the 10th. It's been a shaky July for the right-hander, who has allowed four runs on nine hits and three walks over 7.2 innings this month. Despite the iffy results, he's collected a win, three holds and just one blown save. Rogers is at a 2.25 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 38:13 K:BB through 48 innings this season while adding a National League-leading 21 holds.

Puk (4-4) was charged with the loss Tuesday against the Cardinals after he gave up three runs (two earned) on one hit and one walk over two-thirds of an inning.

The 28-year-old was called upon in the bottom of the 10th inning to maintain a 2-2 tie, but Nolan Arenado tagged him for a three-run homer to win it for St. Louis. It's the third time in Puk's past five outings that he's allowed multiple runs, including three long balls. The left-hander had a 2.08 ERA in his first 22 appearances with 10 saves in 11 chances during that stretch, but he's surrendered 11 runs while taking three losses and being charged with three blown saves in his last 10 appearances.

Lawrence picked up the save Tuesday against the Astros. He struck out one over a clean inning.

Lawrence notched his sixth save of 2023 on Tuesday, taking the mound for the Rockies in the ninth and turning in a perfect inning. Though he's been losing some high-leverage work to Daniel Bard lately, Lawrence has been far and away the more effective option, having given up one earned run since June 13 (13 appearances) compared to Bard's six (12 appearances) in that same span. However, there won't be many save opportunities for either player considering the Rockies own the worst record in the National League.

Hudson will start Wednesday's game against the Marlins, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

Hudson has appeared in four games for the Cardinals this season, putting up a strong 1.80 ERA and 1.20 WHIP through 10 innings. Most recently, he pitched 3.1 scoreless frames and picked up the win Saturday against the Nationals, so he'll be taking the hill Wednesday on three days' rest. The 28-year-old righty will likely stay in the game for two or three innings before being relieved.

Kimbrel struck out one and didn't give up a hit or walk in a scoreless ninth inning to earn his 16th save of the season in Tuesday's win over the Brewers.

A pair of one-out errors allowed the tying run to reach second base, but Kimbrel delivered 10 of his 12 pitches for a strike to maintain the one-run advantage. The 35-year-old has converted all 16 of his save chances this year and has a 3.15 ERA and 60:16 K:BB across 40 innings, and he hasn't surrendered a run in his past 16 appearances.

The Giants optioned Beck to Triple-A Sacramento on Tuesday.

Beck has been solid out of the bullpen for the Giants this season with a 3.06 ERA and 1.12 WHIP through 50 innings, but he'll return to the minors to clear a spot on the roster for Anthony DeSclafani (shoulder). As long as Beck keeps performing as well as he has been, there's a good chance he returns to San Francisco later this summer.

VerHagen (hip) will begin a rehab assignment with Double-A Springfield on Thursday, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

VerHagen landed on the injured list at the beginning of July with a right hip impingement after attempting to pitch through it for three weeks. It's unclear how long the Cardinals plan on keeping VerHagen in the minors, but it's likely he returns to the bullpen before the end of July.