MLB Player News

Williams picked up the save in Sunday's 6-3 win over Pittsburgh, logging a strikeout in a scoreless ninth inning.

Williams has converted his last seven save chances, pitching eight consecutive scoreless innings over that span while allowing just two hits. The 28-year-old righty's ERA is down to 1.52 with a 0.98 WHIP and 39:16 K:BB across 29.2 innings. Williams should remain one of the upper-tier closing options for fantasy purposes this season.

Dominguez (oblique) threw a bullpen session Sunday, Destiny Lugardo of PhilliesNation.com reports.

Dominguez started his throwing program last weekend and has quickly progressed to mound work as he's fully recovered from the oblique strain that landed him on the shelf June 17. The right-hander isn't expected to rejoin the active roster until after the All-Star break.

Lambert was optioned to Triple-A Albuquerque on Sunday.

Lambert covered three scoreless innings as Colorado's opening pitcher in Saturday's loss to the Tigers, but he's now being sent down in favor of a fresh arm. The 26-year-old has a 6.29 ERA, 1.63 WHIP and 36:15 K:BB across 34.1 innings with the Rockies this season, mostly while working as a reliever. According to Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post, the Rockies plan to give Lambert a longer look in the rotation following the All-Star break, but the right-hander will first get stretched out over the course of about three starts with Albuquerque.

VerHagen (hip) was placed on the 15-day injured list Sunday with a right hip impingement.

John Denton of MLB.com reports VerHagen has been dealing with hip pain for three weeks. The right-hander tried to pitch through it, but he's given up eight runs (six earned) over his last 9.2 innings. He'll now be shelved for a minimum of two weeks. JoJo Romero was recalled from Triple-A Memphis to take VerHagen's spot in the Cardinals' bullpen.

Romero was recalled from Triple-A Memphis on Sunday.

Romero will take the place of Drew VerHagen, who landed on the 15-day injured list with a hip impingement. Since his last stint in the majors, Romero has pitched to a 3.52 ERA, 1.57 WHIP and 22:9 K:BB over 15.1 innings as a reliever for Memphis. He'll likely take on a low-leverage relief role while on the big-league roster.

Hudson was returned to Triple-A Memphis after serving as the 27th man for Saturday's doubleheader versus the Yankees.

Hudson pitched 2.2 scoreless innings in the Cardinals' 6-2 loss in Game 2 of the twin bill, allowing a hit and striking out two in relief of Matthew Liberatore. After the brief stint in the majors, Hudson will return to Memphis' rotation, where he has a lackluster 6.00 ERA, 1.85 WHIP and 39:17 K:BB over 48 innings across 11 starts.

The Marlins optioned Soriano to Triple-A Jacksonville on Sunday.

After tossing 3.2 scoreless innings of long relief in Saturday's 7-0 loss to Atlanta, Soriano will be rewarded with a demotion to the minors. The move back to Triple-A is less about the Marlins' dissatisfaction with Soriano's performance than it is a desire for the big club to add a fresh arm to the bullpen for Sunday's series finale with Atlanta. The Marlins called up right-hander Jeff Lindgren from Jacksonville to replace Soriano in the bullpen and on the 26-man active roster.

Morejon will draw the start for Sunday's game against the Reds, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

The Padres haven't formally clarified their pitching plans for the series finale in Cincinnati, but considering he hasn't recorded more than seven outs in any of his appearances in the majors or minors this season, Morejon likely won't be asked to cover more than 3-to-4 innings. With Yu Darvish (illness) still under the weather and unable to make a turn through the rotation this weekend, the Padres could turn to recently recalled Triple-A starter Pedro Avila to work in bulk relief behind Morejon.

The Reds optioned Salazar to Triple-A Louisville on Sunday.

Salazar tossed two innings and 36 pitches out of the bullpen in Saturday's 12-5 loss to the Padres and likely wasn't going to be available for at least a couple days, so the Reds elected to deactivate him in favor of a fresh arm in Derek Law (elbow), who was reinstated from the 15-day injured list. During his most recent stay in the big leagues, Salazar worked three innings between two appearances and was charged with five earned runs while allowing nine baserunners.

Payamps had one strikeout and didn't allow a baserunner during a scoreless ninth inning to earn the save Saturday against the Pirates.

The 29-year-old picked up his second save of the season Saturday, as manager Craig Counsell opted to stay away from closer Devin Williams after his busy finish to June. Payamps has earned his way into the setup job for the Brewers and has 15 holds with a 2.11 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 42:8 K:BB over 38.1 innings, and he hasn't given up an earned run in his past eight outings.