MLB Player News

Zuniga was recalled from Triple-A Memphis on Friday, Lynn Worthy of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Zuniga has made two appearances with the Cardinals this season, yielding one run with a 4:0 K:BB in two frames. He's a hard thrower but has had major issues finding the strike zone this year at Memphis, walking 20 in 30.2 innings.

VerHagen was placed on the bereavement list Friday, Lynn Worthy of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

VerHagen figures to be away from the Cardinals for the duration of their weekend series in Philadelphia before rejoining the roster early next week when they return home. Guillermo Zuniga is taking his spot in the bullpen.

Erceg (3-3) recorded the win against the White Sox on Thursday, firing a scoreless sixth inning during which he allowed a hit and issued a walk.

Erceg followed starter Ken Waldichuk and navigated around some trouble during his one frame. The right-hander was then rewarded for his work when Zack Gelof put the Athletics up for good in the seventh inning with a two-run home run. Erceg may be starting to hit his stride, as he's now produced scoreless efforts in three of his last four appearances despite issuing one free pass in each of those outings.

Smith allowed one run on one hit over one inning in Thursday's 7-5 loss to the Twins.

The Rangers' bullpen blew another lead, although the save was blown by, and the loss credited to, Josh Sborz prior to Smith entering the game with the bases loaded and no outs. Smith's contributions to the loss was to give up a two-run home run to pinch-hitter Ryan Jeffers. This was the sixth time in the last eight appearances that Smith has allowed a run, and the Rangers' closer has a 14.21 ERA with two losses and two blown saves during that run. Texas manager Bruce Bochy has not indicated a change is brewing at closer, but Aroldis Chapman would be the most likely candidate to take over should Smith be removed from the role.

Ferguson did not factor into the decision Thursday, allowing one hit and zero walks over a scoreless inning against the Guardians.

Ferguson opened the game for the Dodgers and retired the first two batters he faced before hitting Kole Calhoun with a pitch. He also allowed a single in the inning but was able to work his way out of the jam before being relieved by Ryan Yarbrough to open the second. The reliever has not allowed a run in six of his last appearances, though he's also recorded just two strikeouts over that stretch.

Leclerc struck out two over a scoreless relief inning in Thursday's 7-5 loss to the Twins.

The Rangers' bullpen has been shaky during the team's seven-game losing streak, and it blew another lead Thursday. None of that is on Leclerc, the one-time closer who has a 1.53 ERA over 17.2 innings since coming off the injured list in early July. More importantly, he's limited his bases on balls with just four walks (2.0 BB/9) during that stretch. Before landing on the IL, Leclerc walked 15 batters over 25 innings (5.4 BB/9). If Texas manager Bruce Bochy moves on from Will Smith as the team's closer, Aroldis Chapman could emerge as the primary closer, but Leclerc's sterling work could put him back into high-leverage consideration.

Fairbanks picked up the save Thursday against Colorado, allowing one hit while striking out three over a scoreless inning.

Fairbanks entered the game with a two-run lead in the ninth and struck out Alan Trejo on eight pitches before allowing an infield single to Elehuris Montero in the following at-bat. The right-hander then secured his 16th save by getting the next two batters to go down swinging as the Rays won their fourth straight. Fairbanks has allowed just one hit over his last five appearances, registering two wins and a save over that stretch.

Armstrong did not factor into the decision Thursday, allowing two hits over two scoreless innings against Colorado while striking out two.

Armstrong allowed two hits in the first inning but managed to pitch his way out of it before going 1-2-3 through the second frame. The 32-year-old reliever has not allowed a run over his last five outings, racking up 12 strikeouts to only one walk over that stretch (8.2 innings). He has, however, surrendered multiple hits in three of his last six appearances.

Lambert did not factor into the decision Thursday, allowing two runs on four hits and one walk over five innings against the Rays. He struck out six.

Lambert got taken deep by Luke Raley on a hanging four-seamer to lead off the bottom of the second and was again victimized by the outfielder in the fourth, this time on a triple, before the latter came around to score a second time. Those would be the only two runs allowed by Lambert on the afternoon as he made it through at least five innings for the third consecutive start. The right-hander has allowed at least one home run in each of his last four starts and now carries a 5.19 ERA in August. On a positive note, he's issued just one walk in each of his last three outings, striking out 15 over that stretch.

Finnegan picked up the save Thursday against the Yankees, allowing one run on three hits while striking out two over 1.1 innings.

Finnegan entered the contest with a two-run lead in the bottom of the ninth and made things interesting by allowing singles to Oswald Peraza and Gleyber Torres. Peraza would then come around to score on a Giancarlo Stanton two-out single, but Finnegan was able to retire the next batter and escape with his 23rd save of the season. The right-hander has converted his last 12 save opportunities, though he's also allowed a run in three of his last four appearances.