MLB Player News

Walker will serve as the Giants' opening pitcher for Tuesday's game against the Cubs at Wrigley Field.

Walker will be opening for the 12th time this season and will likely cover anywhere from 1-to-3 innings before turning the game over to the bullpen, with lefty Sean Manaea or right-hander Jakob Junis representing the top candidate to work in bulk relief. After going 7-0 in Walker's first seven turns as an opener, the Giants have lost each of the last four games that the right-hander has started.

Heller was optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett on Tuesday.

Heller has posted a 4.41 ERA and 14:10 K:BB across 16.1 relief frames with Atlanta this season. He'll exit the 28-man active roster to make room for right-hander Michael Soroka, who was recalled from Gwinnett ahead of his scheduled start Tuesday versus the Cardinals.

Romero was placed on the 15-day injured list on Monday with left knee patellar tendinitis.

Romero has been serving as the Cardinals' primary closer since late July, though St. Louis hasn't provided a ton of save opportunities for him. Giovanny Gallegos collected a save Sunday and could see more while Romero is out, with Ryan Helsley also in the mix after recently returning from the 60-day IL.

Alvarado earned a save against the Padres on Monday, issuing two walks and striking out two batters over a hitless and scoreless inning.

The Phillies built a big early lead before the Padres stormed back in the sixth and seventh frames. In the eighth, usual closer Craig Kimbrel was brought in to face the top of San Diego's order and settled matters down with a scoreless frame. Alvarado followed in the ninth and quickly put himself in trouble with two straight walks before righting the ship and retiring the next three batters he faced, two by strikeout. The save was Alvarado's seventh of the season, but his first since he returned from a lengthy stay on the injured list Aug. 22. Kimbrel has emerged as a steady ninth-inning option for Philadelphia and should maintain that role most days moving forward, though as Monday highlighted, Alvarado could still sneak in the occasional save chance.

Bednar earned a save Monday with a perfect inning against the Brewers.

Bednar had no trouble protecting a two-run ninth-inning lead, retiring the side in order on 13 pitches. The right-hander has successfully converted nine straight save opportunities, allowing just two earned runs over 10.1 innings while posting a 7:1 K:BB during that span. Bednar is 32-for-35 in save chances on the campaign, compiling a 2.02 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 64:16 K:BB across 58 frames.

Lambert (3-6) allowed four runs on six hits and a walk over six innings Monday, striking out five and taking a loss against Arizona.

Lambert gave up one run through three innings before the Diamondbacks plated three runs in the fourth. Entering Monday, he had a streak of four straight outings with three or fewer runs allowed. Lambert saw his season ERA climb back to 5.03 while being handed a second consecutive loss. He's currently expected to face the Cubs at home next week.

Cuas pitched a scoreless ninth inning in Monday's 5-0 win over the Giants. He struck out one.

It wasn't a save situation for Cuas, but the game wasn't entirely out of reach either, and it was a matchup against a team jockeying with the Cubs for a playoff spot. Cuas looked comfortable closing out the important win, and he's been solid this season with a 3.56 ERA and 61 strikeouts across 55.2 innings of relief. The 29-year-old isn't in the mix for saves, though he's become a trusted option for Chicago down the stretch, which could lead to some holds or wins occasionally.

Sewald allowed a run on one hit and a walk in one inning but still earned a save over the Rockies on Monday.

Sewald needed 26 pitches to finish off the win and pick up his 30th save of the year. Since joining the Diamondbacks, he's registered a 4.63 ERA, driving his season ERA to 3.29 through 54.2 frames. On the bright side, he's given up just three runs over his last 10.2 innings while converting nine of his last 10 save chances.

Gibaut picked up the save Monday against the Mariners. He allowed one hit while striking out one over one-third of an inning.

Gibaut came on in relief of Buck Farmer with two outs and two runners on in the ninth inning. He'd give up an RBI single to J.P. Crawford before punching out Julio Rodriguez, who represented the tying run, to close out the 6-3 victory. It's the second save of the year for the 29-year-old Gibaut and his first since April 9. He's been solid while working in a setup role in front of Alexis Diaz this season -- Gibaut now sports a 3. 32 ERA with a 1.22 WHIP, 61:24 K:BB and 20 holds across 65 innings.

Mears was recalled from Triple-A Albuquerque on Monday, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

Mears has yielded two runs over seven innings at the major-league level this season and had been pitching well of late with Albuquerque. He's taking Tommy Doyle's spot on the roster.