MLB Player News

Phillips earned a save against the Rockies on Thursday, striking out two batters in a perfect ninth inning.

Phillips cruised to the save on 11 pitches, punching out two of the three batters he faced. It was the fifth straight scoreless and hitless outing for the closer, who has allowed an earned run in only two of his 21 appearances this season. Phillips is 12-for-12 in save chances this season -- he's the only MLB closer with that many saves who remains perfect in save opportunities.

Sewald allowed one hit and struck out one during a scoreless ninth to collect the save Thursday against the Nationals.

Sewald collected his first save in two weeks, having tossed just 1.1 innings over two appearances during that span prior to Thursday. Despite the inactivity, Sewald needed only eight pitches, tossing six for strikes to thwart the Nationals. Sewald did surrender just his fourth hit allowed over 12.2 innings this season and still has not allowed a run since his initial appearance of the campaign.

The Cardinals optioned Roycroft to Triple-A Memphis on Thursday.

Roycroft has done a decent job in the majors since being called back up to St. Louis on June 4, allowing just one run in 8.2 innings. However, he'll be sent back down to Triple-A in favor of Adam Kloffenstein, as the Cardinals look to keep their bullpen stocked with fresh arms.

Beeks (3-3) threw a scoreless ninth inning while allowing one hit and striking out one to earn the win Wednesday against the Dodgers.

Beeks entered the game with the score knotted at 6-6. He delivered his sixth consecutive scoreless appearance, and in that span he has three holds and a win. Given the Rockies' struggles to find a reliable closer this season, Beeks may get a second look in the role.

Hudson threw two scoreless innings of relief and picked up his 11th hold of the season in Wednesday's victory over the Angels. He allowed a hit, struck out a batter and walked none.

Hudson allowed two earned runs in his final appearance of May, but he gave up only two all season prior to that, and he has not allowed any runs through eight frames in June. Add it all up and Hudson now owns a minuscule 0.90 ERA along with a 0.65 WHIP and 46:8 K:BB over 40 innings out of Milwaukee's bullpen.

Junis (shoulder) will be activated from the 60-day injured list for this weekend's series in San Diego, but he could be used in relief initially, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Officially, the Brewers are saying Junis' role is to be determined. However, they've already listed Bryse Wilson, Colin Rea, Carlos F. Rodriguez and Tobias Myers as their four starters for the series with the Padres. Rodriguez would seem to be the most at risk of losing his rotation spot, so Junis could end up replacing him if Rodriguez falters in Saturday's start. The right-handed Junis threw four innings in a simulated game earlier this week, so he's stretched out for a possible long-relief appearance this weekend.

Finnegan struck out two in a perfect ninth inning Wednesday to record his 21st save of the season in a 3-1 win over Arizona.

The right-hander breezed through the Diamondbacks' 5-6-7 hitters on 14 pitches (11 strikes) en route to his eighth straight successful conversion. Finnegan has put together the best first half of his career with a 1.72 ERA, 0.83 WHIP and 33:10 K:BB through 31.1 innings, but if the Nats fall out of the wild-card picture, he figures to become one of the team's biggest trade chips given that he has just one more year of arbitration eligibility in 2025 before reaching free agency.

Bivens (1-1) took the loss Wednesday as the Giants were downed 6-5 by the Cubs, giving up three runs (two earned) on five hits and two walks over two-plus innings. He struck out one.

The Giants went with a true bullpen day Wednesday, as none of the six pitchers they deployed worked more than two innings. Bivens was the one to get tagged with the loss after serving up back-to-back homers to Ian Happ and Dansby Swanson to lead off the fourth inning during a game in which San Francisco never held a lead. Bivens has pitched five innings over two appearances this week in his first taste of big-league action, giving up three homers, and he may get shipped back to Triple-A Sacramento to make way for a fresh arm.

Borucki (wrist) is set to throw live batting practice Friday, Andrew Destin of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Borucki has thrown three bullpen sessions, the most recent of which was 30 pitches Monday. Assuming Friday goes according to plan, Borucki is expected to begin a rehab assignment and could return prior to the All-Star break.

Fernandez (0-2) allowed a run on two hits over two-thirds of an inning, taking the loss Wednesday versus the Marlins.

Fernandez had not given up an earned run over his last 10 innings, earning three holds over nine appearances in that span. He wasn't as fortunate Wednesday, as Otto Lopez delivered a walk-off single in the ninth inning to stick Fernandez with the loss. The 26-year-old right-hander has been a positive part of the Cardinals' bullpen this year with a 2.59 ERA, though his 1.24 WHIP and 34:12 K:BB over 31.1 innings aren't particularly dominant. He's added a save and four holds but will likely continue to function mostly in a low-leverage role.