MLB Player News

Bard saved Sunday's 3-2 win against the Diamondbacks, striking out two in a perfect ninth inning.

Bard needed just 10 pitches to close out Sunday's victory while striking out two in the process. The 37-year-old has converted each of his last nine save chances and has delivered consecutive scoreless outings since suffering a loss July 6. Bard now possesses a 2.20 ERA and 1.07 WHIP, and he has struck out 40 batters in 32.2 innings.

The Mets designated Reed for assignment Sunday, Deesha Thosar of the New York Daily News reports.

His removal from the 40-man roster clears a spot for left-handed reliever Sam Clay, whom the Mets claimed off waivers from the Phillies. Reed was tagged for eight earned runs on four hits and six walks over 6.1 innings with the Mets this season before being optioned to Triple-A Syracuse on Friday. He'll remain with the organization if he isn't traded or claimed off waivers in the coming days.

The Diamondbacks recalled Uceta from Triple-A Reno prior to Sunday's game against the Rockies.

Arizona optioned right-handed reliever Sean Poppen to Triple-A to clear room on the 26-man active roster and in the bullpen for Uceta. The 24-year-old right-hander has previously made four relief appearances for Arizona this season, giving up five earned runs on seven hits and four walks over nine innings.

The Cubs optioned Rucker to Triple-A Iowa on Sunday.

With the Cubs needing to clear a spot on the 26-man active roster for Sunday's starter Drew Smyly (oblique) to return from the 15-day injured list, Rucker was deemed an expendable piece. During his one-week stint with the big club, Rucker logged three appearances out of the bullpen and gave up two earned runs on four hits and no walks over 4.1 innings.

The Nationals optioned Adon to Triple-A Rochester on Sunday.

Adon will head back to the minors after he picked up his MLB-leading 12th loss of the season Thursday, when he was charged with four earned runs on six hits and three walks over four innings against the Phillies. The Nationals activated reliever Hunter Harvey (forearm) from the 60-day injured list to take over Adon's spot on the 26-man active roster, but the team will still need to find a pitcher to replace Adon in the rotation when his next turn comes up in Saturday's game versus Atlanta.

Garcia (4-5) was tagged with the loss against San Francisco on Saturday as the result of allowing two runs on two hits and one walk over one inning. He struck out one batter.

San Francisco starter Carlos Rodon and Padres starter Yu Darvish engaged in a pitchers' duel for seven innings Saturday, with both hurlers allowing only one run. Garcia came on to replace Darvish in the eighth and couldn't extend the excellent pitching, walking Joc Pederson with one out before serving up a two-run homer to Wilmer Flores. Garcia was consequently handed his fifth loss of the campaign. He's given up at least one run in three of his past five outings and has walked three batters over 5.1 frames during that stretch.

The Nationals reinstated Harvey (forearm) from the 60-day injured list Sunday.

Washington optioned right-hander Joan Adon to Triple-A Rochester and transferred right-hander Jackson Tetreault (shoulder) from the 15-day IL to the 60-day IL to clear room on the 26-man active roster and 40-man roster for Harvey, who is back with the big club for the first time since late April. After a two-plus-month absence due to a right forearm strain, Harvey was cleared to rejoin the big-league bullpen after striking out four across 2.2 scoreless innings over his three minor-league rehab appearances.

Gilbert is scheduled to start Sunday's game against the Rockies in Arizona.

Gilbert was solid enough in an abbreviated start Tuesday against the Giants -- he allowed one earned run over 3.2 innings in a no-decision -- to warrant a second turn through the Arizona rotation this weekend. Since throwing a no-hitter in his first MLB start last August, Gilbert has produced a 5.55 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 7.9 K-BB% across 47 innings with Arizona.

Gallegos (2-3) allowed a run on two hits and struck out one in one inning to take the loss Saturday versus the Phillies.

Gallegos has allowed runs in each of his last two appearances. He allowed a game-tying home versus Atlanta on Thursday, and he gave up a double and a single before an Alec Bohm sacrifice fly brought home the lone run of Saturday's 1-0 loss to the Phillies. While still considered one of the Cardinals' better high-leverage arms, Gallegos has been shaky with four runs allowed in his last 6.1 innings, taking two blown saves and a loss in that span. He has a 3.27 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 40:9 K:BB through 33 innings. Each poor performance pushes the right-hander more toward a setup job as Ryan Helsley remains relatively unhittable as the Cardinals' preferred closer of late.

Kimbrel walked one and struck out two in a scoreless inning to earn the save in Saturday's 4-2 win over the Cubs.

Kimbrel's been a bit spotty of late with nine runs (seven earned) allowed in his last 14 innings. Saturday's save was relatively drama-free despite a leadoff walk to Patrick Wisdom, as Kimbrel retired the next three batters in order. The Dodgers' closer is 15-for-18 in save chances this season while posting a 4.66 ERA, 1.52 WHIP and 45:14 K:BB through 29 innings. He has only one stretch of three or more appearances without allowing a run, and that came back in the first month of the campaign in eight outings between April 15 and May 13.