MLB Player News

Lovelady (triceps) began a throwing program shortly after landing on the injured list June 29 and had thrown off flat ground out to 60 feet as recently as July 3, MLB.com reports.

The Nationals haven't provided an update on Lovelady's status over the past week and a half, but assuming he hasn't suffered any setbacks since he began playing catch, he could be ready to get back on a mound following the All-Star break. Before being deactivated, Lovelady had been a key piece in the Washington bullpen, notching one wins, four saves and nine holds across his 22 relief appearances with the club.

The Pirates optioned Murdock to Triple-A Indianapolis prior to Sunday's 14-5 win over the Brewers.

Murdock was up with the Pirates as their 27th man for Saturday's doubleheader, but he went unused in both ends of the twin bill. The 27-year-old righty is still waiting to make his Pittsburgh debut after he signed a minor-league deal with the organization in the offseason before being added to the 40-man roster July 5.

Morejon (7-2) earned the win over Toronto on Sunday, allowing one run on two hits and one walk while striking out one batter over two innings.

Morejon entered in the seventh frame with the score tied 3-3. The lefty reliever retired the side in order in his first inning but allowed a run on two singles and a walk in the top of the eighth. However, the Padres rallied for a pair of runs in the bottom of that frame to move Morejon into position for the victory. Despite being used strictly as a reliever this season, Morejon leads San Diego with seven wins, and he also ranks second on the club with 15 holds. He's compiled a 3.42 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 58:12 K:BB over 50 innings spanning a team-high 44 appearances.

The Brewers optioned Stallings to Triple-A Nashville on Sunday.

Milwaukee called up Stallings on Saturday, designating him as its 27th man for Saturday's doubleheader against the Pirates. Stallings wasn't needed out of the bullpen for either contest and wound up heading back to Nashville prior to the Brewers' series finale in Pittsburgh.

The Cardinals outrighted Shuster to Triple-A Memphis on Friday.

Shuster will remain in the organization after clearing waivers when the Cardinals designated him for assignment Wednesday. The lefty reliever has made five appearances at the big-league level this season, giving up nine earned runs on 11 hits and six walks across nine innings.

Miller picked up the save Sunday against the Blue Jays. He struck out one across a perfect inning.

Miller looked like his usual dominant self, inducing a weak groundout from Ernie Clement and a routine popout from Myles Straw before striking out Vladimir Guerrero on three pitches to secure the save. The flamethrower owns a dazzling 0.91 ERA, 0.78 WHIP and 72:13 K:BB across 39.2 innings this season. Miller's 25 saves lead the National League and are tied with Bryan Baker for second in MLB behind Cade Smith (28).

Sewald picked up the save Sunday against the Dodgers. He struck out one across a perfect inning.

Sewald made quick work of the Dodgers in the ninth inning, retiring the side in order on 12 pitches (nine strikes) to secure the save. Despite a 4.24 ERA, the right-hander has converted 22 of 23 save opportunities this season while posting a 0.88 WHIP and 38:8 K:BB across 34 innings. Sewald ranks fourth among National League relievers in saves, trailing Mason Miller (25), as well as Jhoan Duran and Riley O'Brien (24 apiece).

The Mets outrighted Seelinger to Triple-A Syracuse on Saturday.

Seelinger will stick around in the Mets organization after going unclaimed off waivers when he was designated for assignment Wednesday. His stay on the Mets' 40-man roster lasted just one day, with Seelinger losing his spot after yielding seven earned runs in two innings of relief in his MLB debut during Tuesday's 16-12 loss to the Royals.

Iglesias struck out one in a perfect inning to earn the save in Sunday's 4-3 win over St. Louis.

Iglesias has allowed four runs over his last four innings, but he's converted three of four save chances in that span. The veteran reliever was dominant early in the season but has regressed since late May, though he's in no immediate danger of losing the closer job. He's at a 2.23 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 36:7 K:BB through 32.1 innings while converting 19 of 20 save chances this season.

Webb recorded the final two outs Sunday to pick up the save in an 8-4 win over Cincinnati.

After Caleb Thielbar allowed a pair of singles, Webb entered with one out in the ninth inning and proceeded to record the final two outs, locking down his fourth save this season. With Daniel Palencia (elbow) on the IL, Webb and Trent Thornton have stepped up as Chicago's primary ninth-inning options. Webb now has three saves in his last four appearances while holding opponents scoreless in his last nine innings. He'll head into the All-Star break with a 3.05 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 48:16 K:BB across 41.1 innings.