MLB Player News

Estevez, when asked Monday what his role with the Phillies would be, responded, "I'm down for whatever, man," Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

Estevez was acquired in a trade with the Angels on Saturday, with pitching prospects George Klassen and Samuel Aldegheri going the other way. Estevez saved 20 games and produced a 2.38 ERA and 0.74 WHIP prior to the move, but his new manager Rob Thomson typically preferred a committee approach. Estevez may well be ahead of both Jose Alvarado (13 saves) and Jeff Hoffman (nine saves) on the closer depth chart, but his share of the ninth inning will likely be smaller than it was in Los Angeles.

The Phillies optioned Rucker to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Monday.

He'll give up his spot on the 26-man active roster and in the Philadelphia bullpen to right-hander Carlos Estevez, whom the Phillies acquired from the Angels over the weekend. Rucker has spent most of the season recovering from a right hand arterial vasospasm, but the Phillies brought him back from the 60-day injured list Friday. The righty didn't end up making any appearances out of the bullpen over the weekend in the Phillies' series with the Guardians, however.

The Dodgers acquired Kopech, right-hander Oliver Gonzalez and utility player Tommy Edman (wrist) on Monday in the three-team trade involving the White Sox and Cardinals, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports. The White Sox received infielder/outfielder Miguel Vargas, infielders Alexander Albertus (undisclosed) and Jeral Perez and a player to be named later or cash considerations, while the Cardinals acquired Erick Fedde and Tommy Pham and a player to be named later or cash considerations.

Kopech has offered a mixed bag in a full-time move to relief in 2024, striking out 59 across 43.2 innings but also walking 24 and posting a 4.74 ERA. The Dodgers will hope to fix his control and home-run issues, and if they can, he has the potential to be a dominant late-inning weapon. Kopech is also under team control for 2025. John Brebbia should be the favorite for saves in the White Sox's bullpen for now, though he could also be traded ahead of Tuesday's deadline.

The Mets recalled Gage from Triple-A Syracuse on Monday.

The Mets are swapping left-handed relievers on the 26-man active roster, with Gage taking the spot of Jake Diekman, who has been designated for assignment. Gage holds a 3.42 ERA and 34:14 K:BB over 26.1 innings at the Triple-A level in 2024 and collected a 1.83 ERA in 16 appearances at the big-league level between 2022 and 2023.

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.