MLB Player News

Zastryzny will serve as the Brewers' opening pitcher in Monday's game in Colorado.

Zastryzny will be making his first appearance with the Brewers, as he was called up from Triple-A Nashville on Saturday but went unused out of the bullpen in Milwaukee's final two games of the weekend against the Cubs. Bryse Wilson is slated to work as a bulk reliever once Zastryzny exits the contest, likely after pitching an inning or two.

Festa (0-1) took the loss Sunday against the Astros, coughing up five runs (four earned) on four hits and a walk in the 11th inning. He struck out one.

The former Mariner was called up earlier in the day to give the Mets' beleaguered bullpen a fresh arm, and Festa was immediately pressed into service when the game went into extras. After intentionally walking Yordan Alvarez, he gave up three straight singles before Trey Cabbage ripped a two-out, two-run double to seal the win for Houston. With no day off Monday for New York, Festa is likely to be jettisoned from the 26-man roster in short order to make room for more relief reinforcements.

Atlanta activated Minter (hip) from the 15-day injured list Monday.

Minter has been on the shelf since late May with left hip inflammation. He made three rehab appearances at Triple-A Gwinnett, allowing two runs (one earned) with a 3:2 K:BB over three frames. Minter should immediately be thrown back into a high-leverage relief role when Atlanta begins its three-game series with the Giants on Tuesday.

Bivens (2-1) was the pitcher of record in Sunday's 10-4 win over the Dodgers, striking out three over five innings while allowing one earned run on four hits and no walks.

Thrust into the rotation for his first MLB start, Bivens rolled through four shutout frames before coughing up a solo shot to Chris Taylor in the fifth inning. Since he was pitching on just two days' rest, Bivens wasn't expected to work especially deep into Sunday's outing, but he was efficient enough (41 strikes on 60 pitches) to cover five innings and qualify for the win. With the Giants designating de facto No. 5 starter Spencer Howard for assignment prior to Sunday's game, Bivens could stick around in the rotation until the likes of Kyle Harrison (ankle) and Blake Snell (groin) return from the injured list.

Helsley struck out two batters in a perfect ninth inning to earn the save over Cincinnati on Sunday.

Helsley efficiently rolled through the Reds' 2-3-4 hitters with just 10 pitches. He extended his MLB save lead and became the first pitcher in the 2024 season to reach 30 saves. He's converted those 30 saves consecutively after blowing his first opportunity of the year March 30. Helsley is sporting a 2.61 ERA with a 46:16 K:BB through 38 innings.

Smyly tossed two scoreless innings of relief in Sunday's 7-1 loss to the Brewers. He allowed a hit and a walk while striking out one.

Chicago starter Kyle Hendricks struggled, allowing seven runs over 3.2 innings, which forced the Cubs to get some long-relief work from Smyly. The veteran had allowed runs in his last two appearances, but he was better Sunday as he lowered his season ERA to 3.54. Hendricks now has a 7.48 ERA, and the Cubs may be forced to remove him from the rotation at some point if he can't turn things around. Smyly, who started 23 games for the team last season, could be an option to slide into that role, though he was ineffective as a starter in 2023 and would be hard to trust from a fantasy perspective.

Kinley pitched two shutout innings Sunday against the White Sox, allowing zero hits and one walk while striking out one.

The 33-year-old worked around the ghost runner in both the 11th and 12th innings, allowing just a single baserunner on an intentional walk. Fellow reliever Jalen Beeks earned the win in the 14th inning, but Kinley remains the preferred closer despite owning an ugly 8.27 ERA on the year. Both relievers will be in the mix for saves moving forward as part of a volatile Rockies bullpen.

Beeks (5-4) blew the save and picked up the win Sunday against the White Sox, allowing an unearned run on two hits and zero walks while striking out one batter in two innings of work.

Beeks came on in the 13th inning and allowed the ghost runner to score on an RBI single by Luis Robert, resulting in a blown save. The 30-year-old rebounded in the 14th inning, however, retiring the side in order to earn his fifth win of the season. Although Beeks was used in a high-leverage role Sunday, Tyler Kinley pitched two scoreless innings in the 11th and 12th and remains the preferred late-inning option for the Rockies. Beeks will continue to be in the mix for saves, but he is just 6-for-11 in save opportunities this season.

Mercado is scheduled to start Tuesday's game against the Cubs at Wrigley Field.

Just as Rob Thomson suggested would be the case shortly before Spencer Turnbull's (lat) placement on the 15-day injured list Thursday, Mercado is the next man up in the Philadelphia rotation. He should stick around as the Phillies' No. 5 starter at least until Taijuan Walker (finger) is ready to come off the IL, as Turnbull is projected to miss 6-to-8 weeks and won't factor into the rotation mix anytime soon. The 25-year-old Mercado made his a one-inning relief appearance in his MLB debut last week, but he had been operating as a starter at Triple-A Lehigh Valley prior to his June 23 call-up and shouldn't be facing any major restrictions with his pitch count Tuesday. Mercado -- who has posted a 1.71 ERA and 44:23 K:BB in 47.1 innings at Triple-A this season -- lines up for a two-start week, with his second outing set to come next Sunday in Atlanta.

Hoffman struck out one in a scoreless ninth inning to pick up the save Sunday vs. Miami.

Hoffman allowed a runner to reach on an error but was otherwise solid in picking up his sixth save. Jose Alvarado leads the Phillies with 12 saves this season, but Hoffman has gotten the occasional opportunity. No matter the role, Hoffman has proven to be one of the most reliable bullpen weapons for the Phillies this season, posting a 1.27 ERA and 0.93 WHIP.