MLB Player News

The Mets designated Diekman for assignment Monday.

Diekman has often been used in high-leverage situations by the Mets this season, even picking up a save less than a week ago. However, he's allowed 10 runs over his last 7.1 innings and has issued 24 walks across 32 frames overall. The Mets could find another team willing to take on Diekman via trade, but they would likely need to eat some of what remains of his $4 million salary in order to facilitate a deal. Diekman's contract also contains a $4 million option for 2025 that vests if he makes 58 appearances this season. He's already made 43 appearances in 2024, which may further deter teams from dealing for the 37-year-old southpaw.

Atlanta optioned Herget to Triple-A Gwinnett on Monday, Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Herget, 30, recently returned from a shoulder injury and holds a 4.82 ERA and 10:3 K:BB over 9.1 innings in the majors this season. He's being replaced on the roster by Darius Vines, who was called up from Triple-A Gwinnett to provide the bullpen with some extra length.

Floro (3-3) took the loss Sunday against the Cardinals, allowing a solo home run over 1.1 innings. He struck out one without walking a batter.

The veteran right-hander got the final out of the seventh inning and worked a 1-2-3 eighth, but when manager Dave Martinez asked Floro to come back out for the ninth in a 3-3 tie, he served up a walk-off blast to Paul Goldschmidt. It's the first homer Floro has served up all year, and he's on track for one of the best seasons of his career with a 2.06 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 40:13 K:BB through 52.1 innings. That could earn the pending free agent a trade to a contender at the deadline, but if he stays put and Kyle Finnegan gets dealt instead, Floro might get a chance to close for Washington down the stretch.

Sewald was charged with a blown save in Sunday's extra-inning loss to the Pirates after he allowed a run on two hits in the ninth. He did strike out three.

Sewald was called upon for the ninth to protect a one-run lead and was unable to do so. Rowdy Tellez kicked things off with a leadoff double, but Sewald was able to rally with back-to-back strikeouts before Joey Bart laced a two-out double to tie the game up and eventually send the game into extras. It was the second time over his last three appearances Sewald's given up a run and he had converted five straight saves before blowing Sunday's opportunity. The 34-year-old owns a 3.76 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 28:4 K:BB in 26.1 innings. He's still got a grip on the closer's role, but the Diamondbacks did bring in A.J. Puk to bolster the back end of the bullpen, and he's someone that could supplant Sewald as the team's closer if Sewald were to keep struggling.

Lee (3-2) picked up the win Sunday over the Mets, allowing three hits over two scoreless relief innings. He struck out one without walking a batter.

The southpaw took the mound to begin the fourth inning after Reynaldo Lopez (forearm) exited the game after only 57 pitches, and Lee was credited with the decision in an eventual 9-2 rout. He's been tagged with just one earned run over his last 12 appearances, posting a 0.64 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and 18:2 K:BB in 14 innings during that stretch, but Atlanta's deep bullpen has no room for Lee in a high-leverage role -- he has zero holds or saves in that time.

Chapman (3-4) picked up the win Sunday against the Diamondbacks after pitching a scoreless ninth.

Chapman was called upon to pitch the ninth with the game tied at two after manager Derek Shelton opted to go with David Bednar in the eighth. The left-hander retired the side on just six pitches and was credited with the win after the Pirates went on to win 6-5 in 10 innings. After a rocky start to the month, Chapman has allowed just one run over his last six appearances, during which he's racked up two wins, two holds and a save while posting a 6:2 K:BB. The 36-year-old is still overpowering hitters in his 15th MLB season, posting a 3.72 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 60:34 K:BB in 38.2 innings.

Covey (shoulder) surrendered three earned runs on two hits and two walks while pitching one-third of an inning in his first rehab appearance Sunday for Single-A Clearwater.

Making his first appearance at any level in 2024 after having been sidelined since spring training with a right shoulder strain, Covey unsurprisingly exhibited some rust. He allowed each of the first four runners he faced to reach base, though he was able to end his first rehab appearance on a high note by recording a strikeout. Covey tossed 20 pitches Sunday and won't need to get stretched out much further beyond that, but because he's been on the injured list all season, he'll likely to make several appearances in the minors and eventually move his assignment to Triple-A Lehigh Valley before being activated. He'll be ticketed for a low-leverage role out of the Philadelphia bullpen upon his reinstatement from the IL.

Rodriguez (3-1) allowed one run on two hits and struck out three over three innings, earning the win over the Rockies on Sunday.

This was a bullpen game for the Giants, and Rodriguez was their second pitcher in a contest in which they never trailed. Rodriguez was called up as a reinforcement for the bullpen earlier Sunday after Sean Hjelle (personal) went on the bereavement list. For the season, Rodriguez has a 4.11 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 47:15 K:BB while adding five holds over 46 innings through 30 appearances. The right-hander has been effective, but since he threw 45 pitches Sunday, he could soon be optioned out for another fresh reliever.

Doval allowed a run on two hits and struck out one over one inning to earn the save in Sunday's 5-4 win over the Rockies.

Doval allowed two singles to begin the ninth inning. He yielded a run on a groundout but was able to stop the damage there to convert his 20th save of the campaign. Doval has converted six of his seven save chances in July despite allowing four runs over 8.1 innings this month. He's now at a 4.39 ERA, 1.61 WHIP and 53:26 K:BB through 41 innings.

Helsley (4-3) allowed a hit in a scoreless inning, earning the win over the Nationals on Sunday.

Helsley kept the game tied in the top of the ninth inning, and Paul Goldschmidt delivered a walk-off solo home run a half-inning later. This was just the seventh appearance of the month for Helsley, as the Cardinals' shaky play over the last three weeks have left him with inconsistent closing opportunities. He's still leading the National League -- and tied for the first in the majors -- with 33 saves while pitching to a 2.15 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 54:19 K:BB through 46 innings this season.