MLB Player News

Bender (back) was reinstated from the 60-day injured list Tuesday, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Bender had been out since mid-May, but he's ready to after four scoreless, hitless rehab appearances. Prior to his absence, he'd recorded a mediocre 4.50 ERA in 14 innings of work but had recorded six saves. It's unlikely he'll unseat current closer Tanner Scott right away.

Rucker was recalled from Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday.

After spending a month with Iowa, Rucker will return to Chicago for another stint with the big club. He figures to work in middle-to-long relief like he did last time he was in town.

Rondon was outrighted to Triple-A Sacramento on Tuesday.

Rondon went unclaimed on waivers after being designated for assignment by the Giants, and he opted to remain with the organization for the time being.

Young was recalled from Triple-A Sacramento on Tuesday.

Young was acquired from the Guardians in mid-July, and he is set to see his first big-league action since joining the Giants. He figures to work in low-leverage spots out of the bullpen.

Mejia (suspension) began a rehab assignment with Double-A Biloxi on Tuesday, Sophia Minnaert of Bally Sports Wisconsin reports.

Mejia has been out since mid-May after violating the Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program. He'll be eligible to return in mid-August, but he'd only made a pair of major-league appearances prior to his ban, so he could remain in the minors once activated.

Atlanta acquired Iglesias from the Angels on Tuesday in exchange for pitchers Jesse Chavez and Tucker Davidson, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

This trade wasn't announced until several minutes after the trade deadline passed, but the two sides must have completed the proper paperwork beforehand, and Iglesias will move forward with Atlanta. Iglesias saved 50 games for the Angels since the start of 2021, but since he's joining a team with an established closer in Kenley Jansen, Iglesias will presumably work in a setup role with his new squad and see his fantasy value take a big hit as a result.

Robertson is far from a lock to secure a true closer role in Philadelphia, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

The Phillies have used a committee setup since removing Corey Knebel from the closer role in mid-June, and while Robertson has 151 career saves to his name (including 14 this season), he reportedly wasn't acquired with an eye toward a return to a traditional approach in the final frame. His 2.23 ERA and 30.9 percent strikeout rate would certainly make him a fine fit for the role should the Phillies choose to deploy him that way, though Seranthony Dominguez beats both of those marks (1.67 ERA, 31.5 percent strikeout rate) and has merely been a committee member, so Robertson may wind up being used in a similar fashion. Zolecki even suggests that it will be Dominguez and Brad Hand who remain at the head of the committee, with Robertson potentially no higher than third in line for saves.

Szapucki was traded from the Mets to the Giants on Tuesday along with J.D. Davis, Nick Zwack and Carson Seymour in exchange for Darin Ruf, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports.

A lefty who underwent Tommy John surgery in 2019, Szapucki's 65.1 total innings this season are his highest mark in a pro season to date, so it's safe to say he does not have the durability to be a starter. At 26 years old and with a 3.38 ERA and 87 strikeouts at Triple-A, he could be ready to help the Giants' bullpen in short order.

The Giants acquired Stryffeler from the Mariners on Tuesday in exchange for catcher Curt Casali (oblique) and Matthew Boyd (elbow), Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

Casali was on an expiring deal and not a part of the Giants' short- or long-term plan, so the Giants opted to cash him out for Stryffeler, a 26-year-old right-handed pitching prospect. Stryffeler was promoted to Triple-A Tacoma on Monday after he turned in a 2.27 ERA and 1.23 WHIP while recording 14 saves and striking out 57 over 35.2 innings for Double-A Arkansas. He'll likely report to the Giants' Triple-A affiliate in Sacramento.

The Cubs acquired Robertson from the Phillies on Tuesday in exchange for right-hander Ben Brown, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Robertson will rejoin the team he signed a two-year deal with back in 2019. He's had a couple rocky outings since the start of July -- including his last one -- but he saved 14 games for the Cubs and owns a 2.23 ERA and 1.04 WHIP on the season, so he's sure to provide a boost to the back end of the Phillies' bullpen. Seranthony Dominguez and Brad Hand are likely to move into setup roles to clear the way for Robertson to serve as the Phillies' primary option in save situations.