MLB Player News

The Cardinals optioned Graceffo to Triple-A Memphis on Monday.

Graceffo tossed two scoreless relief innings Sunday against the Reds during his lone day with the big club. Roddery Munoz is taking Graceffo's roster spot as the Cardinals add a fresh bullpen arm.

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

Pearson's stay with the Cubs lasted just two days, with the right-hander getting sent back to Iowa after he was roughed up for five earned runs on five hits and two walks over two innings while mopping up in Sunday's 14-6 loss to the Mariners. Chicago called up right-hander Michael Fulmer from Iowa to take Pearson's spot in the bullpen.

The Mets optioned Zuber to Triple-A Syracuse on Monday.

He's being replaced on the roster and in the bullpen by Richard Lovelady, who signed a one-year contract with the team. Zuber was with the big club for just a couple days, allowing two runs over two innings in his lone relief appearance.

Junk is scheduled to start Thursday's game against the Giants in San Francisco, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Junk will make his second straight start and his third consecutive turn through the rotation overall, after he previously worked in bulk relief in a July 14 victory over Washington. The right-hander has been credited with the win in both of his last two appearances while permitting just one earned run on seven hits and no walks while striking out nine over 10.2 innings. Junk doesn't have a long track record of success at the big-league level, but he should be able to hold down a rotation spot for Miami until Max Meyer (hip) or Ryan Weathers (lat) is ready to return from the injured list.

The Mets signed Lovelady to a one-year contract Monday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Lovelady opted out of his minor-league contract with the Twins last week and now joins the Mets' big-league roster. The lefty reliever allowed four runs over 1.2 innings earlier this season with the Blue Jays but collected a 1.31 ERA and 22:7 K:BB over 20.2 innings with Triple-A St. Paul.

Rogers picked up a hold in a scoreless inning during Sunday's 9-5 win over the Red Sox, allowing two hits while striking out one.

The 34-year-old surrendered a pair of singles, though Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran was thrown out trying to stretch the first one into a double. Rogers was effective while earning his second hold in as many days, throwing 10 of his 12 pitches for strikes. The right-hander now owns a 1.24 ERA, 0.69 WHIP and a 31:4 K:BB across 36.1 innings in 38 appearances this season.

Casparius (6-1) picked up the win Sunday against Washington, allowing three runs on five hits and one walk with two strikeouts over five innings.

Casparius followed Shohei Ohtani for a second consecutive outing and completed five frames for the first time this season. All of the damage against Casparius came with one swing of the bat when Nathaniel Lowe launched a three-run home run in the third inning. In his last three outings, Casparius has allowed six runs with a 6:4 K:BB over 12.2 innings. He's in line to make his next appearance against Kansas City, though he may follow Ohtani again.

Pomeranz has permitted five hits and one walk while striking out three over 1.1 innings between relief appearances Thursday against the Brewers and Saturday against the Mariners after he previously hadn't pitched since June 14 due to a back soreness.

Pomeranz experienced some back pain during the June 14 outing against the Pirates but was shut down for just a few days before the Cubs made him available out of the bullpen. The lefty was hit around a bit in his last two appearances but still has yet to give up an earned run over his 19.2 innings with the Cubs since being acquired from Seattle on April 21. He owns a 0.92 WHIP and 19:6 K:BB and has collected two wins, one save and four holds over his 22 appearances.

Pagan tossed a perfect inning to convert a save against St. Louis on Sunday.

Pagan entered a 4-1 contest and retired the Cardinals' 3-4-5 batters in order to finish off the win. He struck out four batters in a blown save Saturday but was immediately thrown back into the ninth inning Sunday. Pagan has converted 18 of 21 save chances this season while registering a 3.27 ERA and a 42:11 K:BB.

Paplham (face) was assigned to High-A Fort Wayne on Thursday after being reinstated from Double-A San Antonio's 7-day injured list.

After suffering multiple facial fractures when he was struck by a comebacker in a Cactus League game back in late February, Paplham opened the season on San Antonio's IL. He was cleared to begin a rehab assignment in the rookie-level Arizona Complex League on May 20, and after giving up one earned run in 4.2 innings over four appearances, he was moved to Fort Wayne on June 3. Since reporting to the Midwest League, Paplham has made four more appearances and has struck out six while allowing two earned runs on four hits and one walk in six innings. Though he'll stick around with Fort Wayne for the time being, Paplham could be advanced to San Antonio once the Double-A club has an opening in its bullpen.