MLB Player News

Iglesias struck out one in a perfect ninth inning Friday to record his 12th save of the season in a 6-3 win over the Cubs.

After failing to even get a save chance through the first two weeks of June, Iglesias has now nabbed saves in back-to-back appearances. The right-hander has a 2.30 ERA and 37:10 K:BB through 31.1 innings on the season, and with the reliever trade market beginning to establish itself after Kelvin Herrera was sent to the Nats, Iglesias could well be the next closer to find himself in a new uniform.

Manager Bruce Bochy said he's unsure when Melancon will be ready to pitch on consecutive days but will communicate with the pitcher to work on a plan to build up his durability, Kerry Crowley of the Bay Area News Group reports.

The former All-Star has not lived up to his giant contract with the Giants, mostly due to significant injuries, including a pronator issue that required stem-cell injection treatment. He snagged a save Thursday night but will remain part of a crowded Giants closing committee that also likely includes Sam Dyson (the primary option), Tony Watson and Will Smith, at minimum, with Reyes Moronta possibly factoring in as well. Melancon is worth a pickup in deeper leagues, as long as those snagging him consider him more of a "quarter-closer" than an undisputed main man.

Wittgren (finger) was activated off the 10-day disabled list Friday, Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald reports.

Wittgren hit the disabled list June 2 with a bruised finger and makes his return with Jose Urena heading to the DL with a shoulder injury. The 27-year-old has a 3.06 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and a 17:10 K:BB across 17.2 innings this season, and will likely resume a middle relief role in the Marlins bullpen.

Edwards (shoulder) has advanced to throwing off flat ground, Jesse Rogers of ESPNChicago.com reports.

Edwards has moved past light toss and is beginning to ramp up his throwing program. The reliever has been sidelined since the end of May with right shoulder inflammation. He will likely require a multi-game rehab appearance in the minor leagues before returning to Chicago, which seems to be a couple weeks away.

Smith had his contract selected by the Mets on Friday.

As expected, Smith will join the major-league roster to add extra depth to the Mets' bullpen after the club made a series of roster moves. The 24-year-old has never appeared in a big-league game, but compiled a healthy 3.00 ERA and 28:12 K:BB across 30 innings with Triple-A Las Vegas this year.

Robles was designated for assignment by the Mets on Friday.

Just a few days after being demoted to the Triple-A level, Robles lost his place on the 40-man roster. He will now be subject to waivers and could latch on with another organization, though the reliever will remain with Las Vegas if he passes through unclaimed. Through 16 appearances with the Mets this season, he's logged a 5.03 ERA and 1.58 WHIP.

Curtis was recalled from Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Friday.

It's a somewhat surprising call-up, as the Phillies already have a pair of lefties in the bullpen in Adam Morgan and Austin Davis. Morgan hasn't been particularly impressive, though, and Davis has recorded just a single major-league out, so Curtis has a chance to impress and stick around. The 25-year-old has a 4.33 ERA in 27 career big-league innings, with an ugly 21:23 K:BB. Jake Thompson was optioned to Lehigh Valley in a corresponding move.

Melancon allowed a hit and struck out one to earn his first save of the season Thursday against the Padres.

Melancon earned his first save since June 20, 2017 after replacing Madison Bumgarner to begin the ninth inning. It's now unclear who the Giants' primary closer will be as Sam Dyson -- the named closer when Hunter Strickland (hand) went to the disabled list-- was likely unavailable for Thursday's game after pitching in three consecutive games. Given his contract and prior experience as an elite closer, signs point to Melancon getting more opportunities going forward. However, he'll have to prove his durability as he has yet to pitch in consecutive games this season.

Hudson is a candidate to make a spot start for the Cardinals on Monday in the wake of Michael Wacha's placement on the disabled list with an oblique injury, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Hudson was already thought to be a callup candidate for some point this summer, but his opportunity may arrive a bit sooner than expected. The promising right-hander sports an impressive 9-2 record and 2.13 ERA across 13 starts with Triple-A Memphis, and he's generated quality starts in each of his last three trips to the mound.

Poncedeleon remains a candidate for a spot start with the Cardinals on Monday in the wake of Michael Wacha's placement on the disabled list with an oblique injury, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

The right-hander threw 45 pitches while starting and throwing three scoreless innings in Triple-A Memphis' loss to New Orleans on Thursday. The workload was light enough so as to keep Poncedeleon in play to start Monday's game with three days of rest, if that's the direction the Cardinals ultimately opt to go in. Fellow prospect Dakota Hudson and John Gant, who was recalled from Memphis earlier Thursday and appeared in relief during the Cardinals' loss to the Brewers, are also potential candidates to take Wacha's place versus the Indians.