MLB Player News

The Angels traded Estevez to the Phillies on Saturday in exchange for right-hander George Klassen and left-hander Samuel Aldegheri.

Estevez was one of the top closers available at the deadline, having logged 20 saves in 23 chances this season with a 2.38 ERA and 0.74 WHIP. He'll join a Phillies bullpen that opened the season deploying Jose Alvarado in the ninth inning before turning to Jeff Hoffman late in June, with Alvarado occasionally mixing in. Without a clear top closer, Estevez has a chance to step into the ninth-inning role for the Phillies, who boast an MLB-best 64-39 record.

The Rockies selected Curtiss' contract from Triple-A Albuquerque on Saturday, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

Curtiss will take Ty Blach's spot on the 40-man and 26-man rosters and will serve as a depth piece for a Colorado bullpen that just traded Nick Mears to the Brewers. Curtiss has made one appearance with the Rockies this season, yielding two runs in one-third of an inning. He logged a 4.03 ERA in 38 innings for Albuquerque.

The Rockies recalled Bird from Triple-A Albuquerque on Saturday, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

Bird will take Nick Mears' spot on the active roster Saturday after Mears was traded to Milwaukee for a pair of minor-league pitchers. Bird has appeared in 22 games for the Rockies this season, posting a 6.26 ERA and 16:18 K:BB across 23 innings.

The Rockies acquired Blalock and right-hander Yujanyer Herrera from the Brewers on Saturday in exchange for right-hander Nick Mears, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Blalock made one appearance with the Brewers this season, walking one batter in a scoreless inning. The 23-year-old has primarily pitched at the Double-A level, starting 16 games this season and posting a 4.08 ERA and 64:27 K:BB across 75 innings for Biloxi. He'll likely report to Double-A Hartford with his new organization.

The Brewers acquired Mears from the Rockies on Saturday in exchange for right-handers Bradley Blalock and Yujanyer Herrera, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Mears will provide depth to a Brewers bullpen that has recently lost two key relievers in Rob Zastryzny (elbow) and Bryan Hudson (oblique) to injuries. The 27-year-old right-hander logged a 5.56 ERA in 45.1 innings with Colorado this season but has some encouraging underlying metrics, including a 3.00 xERA. The Brewers have a knack for getting the most out of underperforming pitchers, and it looks like they'll attempt to do the same with Mears.

The Giants designated Baumann for assignment Saturday.

Baumann was acquired by San Francisco via trade Sunday after being designated for assignment by the Mariners on July 19. He surrendered two runs in two-thirds of an inning for the Giants. If he goes unclaimed on waivers, Baumann should be expected to remain in the Giants organization. Spencer Bivens was called up in a corresponding move.

San Francisco recalled Bivens from Triple-A Sacramento on Saturday.

Bivens will join the Giants ahead of their twin bill Saturday against the Rockies. The 30-year-old holds a 2.65 ERA in 17 innings with the Giants this season and is capable of pitching multiple innings out of the bullpen. Mike Baumann was designated for assignment in a corresponding move.

Graterol (shoulder) will likely need at least 2-to-3 more rehab outings before rejoining Los Angeles' bullpen, per MLB.com.

Graterol is five outings into a rehab stint that has included two games with the Dodgers' ACL affiliate and three with Triple-A Oklahoma City. He's given up two runs (one earned) on six hits while posting a 3:0 K:BB across five innings during his assignment thus far. Graterol hasn't pitched in the majors this season, but he could rise up to high-leverage work eventually if he proves effective upon his return.

Arizona designated Vieira for assignment Saturday.

The Diamondbacks traded for reliever A.J. Puk on Thursday and now that Puk has reported to the team, Vieira will lose his spot on the 26-man and 40-man rosters. Saturday's move marks the third time Vieira has been designated for assignment this season, and he's fallen to a 5.21 ERA in 38 innings split between Milwaukee, Baltimore and Arizona.

The Brewers recalled Jay from Triple-A Nashville on Saturday.

Milwaukee swooped in and traded for Jay shortly after the left-hander was designated for assignment by the Mets on July 17. With southpaw Bryan Hudson (oblique) heading to the injured list, Jay will join the 26-man roster. The 30-year-old surrendered four runs in 4.2 innings with the Mets but was much more effective at Triple-A for New York, holding a 2.40 ERA in 41.1 innings.