MLB Player News
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Chris Devenski RP | PIT
Mets' Chris Devenski: Sent down to Syracuse
The Mets optioned Devenski to Triple-A Syracuse on Thursday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.
Devenski has turned in a 2.84 ERA and 0.95 WHIP through 12.2 innings with the Mets this season, but he'll end up back on the roster at Syracuse to make room in New York's bullpen for the newly acquired Tyler Rogers.
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Brett de Geus RP | PHI
Phillies' Brett de Geus: Loses 40-man spot
The Phillies designated de Geus for assignment Thursday, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.
The Phillies needed to clear a 40-man spot in order to make room for new acquisition Harrison Bader, and they will do so by removing de Geus. The 27-year-old righty has given up one run in two innings with the Phillies this season and owns a 3.86 ERA with a 1.69 WHIP through 35 innings in Triple-A.
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Brock Stewart RP | LAD
Dodgers' Brock Stewart: Traded back to Dodgers
The Dodgers acquired Stewart from the Twins on Thursday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.
It's a homecoming of sorts for Stewart, who was drafted by the Dodges and spent his first three-and-a-half seasons with them in a swingman role. Stewart is now 33 and has struggled with injuries, but he's been healthy this year outside of an early-season hamstring issue and has posted a 2.38 ERA and 41:11 K:BB over 34 innings. He is under team control through 2027.
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Joey Wentz SP | ATL
Braves' Joey Wentz: Credits cutter for recent success
Wentz adjusted the grip on his cutter last month, which he says has fueled his recent form, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.
The 27-year-old southpaw struggled earlier in the season for the Pirates and Twins, but since Atlanta claimed him off the waiver wire July 11, Wentz has delivered a 1.50 ERA, 0.72 WHIP and 21:6 K:BB over 18 innings and four appearances (three starts). "Joey's been great," manager Brian Snitker said after Wednesday's game, in which Wentz blanked the Royals over 6.2 innings. "It's just been about getting him stretched out, and now he is. He's just kind of quietly doing a really, really good job for us. And we're in a situation because we were looking for starters." Wentz's mediocre big-league track record still outweighs his July numbers, but if his cutter has become a true out pitch, he might finally begin to live up to his draft pedigree after being the 40th overall selection in the 2016 First-Year Player Draft.
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Mason Miller SP | SD
Padres' Mason Miller: Dealt to San Diego
The Padres acquired Miller and JP Sears from the Athletics on Thursday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports, in exchange for shortstop Leo De Vries and three right-handed pitchers -- Braden Nett Eduarniel Nunez and Henry Baez.
De Vries is the headliner going to the Athletics, and the Padres will send three pitchers to the A's, as well. With Miller poised to take over as the Padres' closer, incumbent closer Robert Suarez is expected to be traded. Miller has collected a 3.76 ERA and 59:18 K:BB over 38.1 innings this season for the Athletics and is under team control through 2029.
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Ryan Walker RP | SF
Giants' Ryan Walker: Picks up loss Wednesday
Walker (2-4) took the loss in Wednesday's 2-1 extra-inning defeat to the Pirates, allowing one unearned run and a walk in the 10th inning.
Walker induced a groundout that moved the automatic runner to third before walking the next batter. The 29-year-old then cleanly fielded a groundball but attempted a double play, allowing the automatic runner to score. Over six appearances since the All-Star break, the right-hander has been charged with three earned runs on seven hits -- including one home run -- and four walks while striking out eight across 6.1 innings. Walker now owns a 4.12 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and a 43:13 K:BB over 43.2 innings in 47 outings this season.
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Gordon Graceffo P | STL
Cardinals' Gordon Graceffo: Potential closer option
Graceffo "looks to be an early contender" to serve as the Cardinals' closer if Phil Maton joins Ryan Helsley in being traded, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.
Woo mentions Kyle Leahy and Riley O'Brien as possibilities, as well. JoJo Romero would likely also be in the mix, but he is a candidate to be traded. Since moving to a full-time bullpen role in late April, Graceffo has collected a 2.89 ERA and 44:11 K:BB over 43.2 innings between Triple-A Memphis and St. Louis.
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Isaac Mattson RP | PIT
Pirates' Isaac Mattson: Picks up third win
Mattson (3-1) allowed two hits and struck out three across two scoreless innings to earn the win Wednesday against the Giants.
Mattson covered the ninth and 10th innings to earn the win and managed to strike out the final two batters of the game with runners at second and third. He's struck out 14 batters across his last 10.2 innings while allowing only three earned runs and has begun to be trusted in higher-leverage spots. As a result, Mattson has emerged as a name to keep in mind for save chances if both David Bednar and Dennis Santana get traded prior to Thursday's deadline.
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Calvin Faucher RP | MIA
Marlins' Calvin Faucher: Records save No. 10
Faucher earned a save against the Cardinals on Wednesday, striking out one batter in a perfect inning of work.
Faucher entered in the ninth inning tasked with protecting a 2-0 lead. He needed nine pitches to retire the first batter he faced, then needed just seven more offerings to retire St. Louis' next two hitters. Faucher is clearly in the closer mix for the Marlins, as he has registered two of the team's past three saves and leads the squad with 10 saves on the campaign. Ronny Henriquez, who has notched three saves in July, worked in the eighth frame Wednesday.
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Juan Burgos RP | ARI
Diamondbacks' Juan Burgos: Dealt to Arizona
The Diamondbacks acquired Burgos, first baseman Tyler Locklear and right-hander Hunter Cranton from the Mariners on Wednesday in exchange for third baseman Eugenio Suarez, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.
Burgos has appeared in four games for the Mariners this season while allowing three earned runs over 6.2 frames and striking out eight batters in the process. He was optioned to Triple-A Tacoma last week but still owns a 40-man roster spot, making him a prime candidate to join the Diamondbacks' injury-depleted bullpen at some point once the big club needs a fresh arm.