MLB Player News

Romero locked down his first save of the season Sunday against the Cubs after pitching a scoreless ninth while allowing one hit and striking out two.

On the day the Cardinals traded current closer Jordan Hicks to the Blue Jays, Romero picks up the save. Giovanny Gallegos got the eighth inning and Romero shut the door on the Cubs' eight-game winning streak. Romero had been a little shaky as of late, giving up four runs in his last two appearances, but has been reliable as a whole since getting recalled July 4. over that span, he's accumulated two wins, two holds and a save while posting a 4.15 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 14:3 K:BB in 13 innings. It appears Romero could be the Cardinals' closer, or at least split the role with Gallegos, until Ryan Helsley (forearm) is able to return.

Iglesias picked up the save Sunday against Milwaukee, striking out the side in the ninth inning.

Iglesias has allowed just two earned runs in his last 12 appearances (11 innings), working to a 1.64 ERA with 14 strikeouts in that span. Overall, the 33-year-old closer is 20-for-22 in save opportunities with a 3.69 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 41:9 K:BB across 31.2 innings this season.

Beck (2-0) earned the extra-innings win Sunday over the Red Sox, walking one and striking out three over two scoreless and hitless innings.

Beck was called up from Triple-A Sacramento earlier in the day to provide some length out of the bullpen with Anthony DeSclafani (elbow) landing on the injured list. Beck did his job well, working the 10th and 11th innings before Joc Pederson's bases-loaded walk forced in the winning run in the bottom of the 11th. Beck has a 2.94 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 41:13 K:BB through 52 innings over 21 appearances at the major-league level this year. His role is likely to be versatile while he's with the Giants, so he could have some chances to vulture wins if he gets middle-innings assignments.

Lawrence struck out two in a perfect inning to earn the save in Sunday's 2-0 win over the Athletics.

Lawrence suffered a blown save in his last outing Tuesday versus the Nationals, allowing four runs (three earned) in one inning. The right-hander has largely avoided blow-ups like that this year, allowing multiple runs in just five of his 45 appearances. Tuesday's mess was his lone misstep in July -- he's kept runs off the board in his other nine innings this month while settling in to head the Rockies' closer committee lately. Lawrence owns a 2.89 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 55:24 K:BB through 53 innings with eight saves and eight holds this year.

Alvarado (elbow) tossed a bullpen session Saturday and is scheduled to throw off the mound again Tuesday in Miami, Corey Seidman of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

Alvarado is continuing his throwing progression as he works his way back from left elbow inflammation, an injury that has kept him on the shelf since July 9. If he responds well to his upcoming bullpen session, Alvarado could be cleared to face hitters in live batting practice by the end of the week. He may be tracking toward a return from the 15-day injured list during the second week of August.

Manager Bud Black said after Sunday's win over the Athletics that Blach will remain in the rotation and start during next weekend's series in St. Louis, Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post reports.

Blach performed well as Sunday's starter, allowing three hits and a walk while striking out two in five scoreless innings to pick up his first win of the season. He tossed just 52 pitches in the outing, a slight increase after throwing 42 pitches in his last start. He'll have another opportunity to showcase his potential as a starter next weekend against the Cardinals.

Gallegos struck out two in two perfect innings to earn the hold during Sunday's 3-0 win over the Cubs.

Gallegos worked in the seventh and eighth innings during Sunday's series finale against the Cubs, but he'll likely see increased save opportunities for the Cardinals after Jordan Hicks was traded to the Blue Jays on Sunday. Gallegos has converted eight of 13 save opportunities this year in addition to his 15 holds, but it wouldn't be surprising to see him as the Cardinals' primary option in the ninth inning down the stretch. JoJo Romero picked up his first career save against the Cubs on Sunday.

The Dodgers optioned Miller to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Sunday.

Miller lost his spot on the 26-man roster to right-hander Lance Lynn, whom the Dodgers acquired in a trade with the White Sox on Friday. During his brief stay with Los Angeles, Miller made one two-inning appearance out of the bullpen, giving up two earned runs on three hits and one walk.

The Rangers traded King, Thomas Saggese and Tekoah Roby to the Cardinals on Sunday in exchange for Jordan Montgomery and Chris Stratton, Jeff Passan of ESPN.comreports.

King made his big-league debut for Texas during the 2020 campaign and has a 4.27 ERA across 87 big-league appearances. The left-hander has given up 12 earned runs over 18.2 frames in the majors this season and posted a 3.32 ERA, 1.60 WHIP and 13:6 K:BB over 21.2 innings at the Triple-A level.

The Giants recalled Beck from Triple-A Sacramento on Sunday.

Though he'll be joining the 26-man active roster as a replacement for injured starting pitcher Anthony DeSclafani (elbow), Beck won't necessarily be the Giants' first choice to fill the opening in the rotation. After DeSclafani's injury kept him from pitching in Saturday's 3-2 win over Boston, Sean Manaea came on behind opener Ryan Walker to toss 4.2 scoreless innings out of the bullpen, thus making Manaea the most logical candidate to enter the rotation when a fifth starter is next needed Thursday versus Arizona. Since Manaea won't be available for a few days, however, Beck will give the Giants some extra coverage in the bullpen in the meantime.