MLB Player News
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Will Vest RP | DET
Tigers' Will Vest: Gets setup support
Vest should remain Detroit's closer, but the club has some new setup options in front of him with the Tigers adding Rafael Montero, Kyle Finnegan and Codi Heuer in separate trades, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.
Finnegan had been Washington's closer before the deal, compiling a 4.38 ERA and 20 saves in 40 appearances, but he isn't a big strikeout guy with only 32 over 39 innings. Vest has a stronger 2.53 ERA and has also struck out 51 batters across 46.1 innings, so he still profiles as the best closing option for Detroit. However, Finnegan and the other relievers at least give the Tigers some more options to mix and match with. Detroit also added former closer Paul Sewald (shoulder) in a trade, but he was transferred to the 60-day injured list Thursday, per Chris McCosky of The Detroit News, and won't be eligible for activation until Sept. 10.
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David Bednar RP | NYY
Yankees' David Bednar: Going to Yankees in trade
The Yankees acquired Bednar from the Pirates on Thursday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports. Pittsburgh received Rafael Flores and two other prospects in the deal.
Bednar had a poor 2024 season and a bad enough start to 2025 that he was sent down to the minors for a while. However, he has rebounded in a major way, permitting just one earned run with a 29:5 K:BB over 23.1 innings covering his last 24 appearances. It's not clear whether manager Aaron Boone will use Bednar, Devin Williams or both to close games. Bednar has an additional year of team control next season.
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Brett de Geus RP | PHI
Phillies' Brett de Geus: Loses 40-man spot
The Phillies designated de Geus for assignment Thursday, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.
The Phillies needed to clear a 40-man spot in order to make room for new acquisition Harrison Bader, and they will do so by removing de Geus. The 27-year-old righty has given up one run in two innings with the Phillies this season and owns a 3.86 ERA with a 1.69 WHIP through 35 innings in Triple-A.
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Paul Sewald RP | DET
Tigers' Paul Sewald: Moved to 60-day IL
The Tigers transferred Sewald (shoulder) to the 60-day injured list Thursday, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.
Acquired earlier in the day in a trade with the Guardians, Sewald is now shifting off the 40-man roster to make room for another reliever, Kyle Finnegan. Sewald is working his way back from a moderate teres major strain and now isn't eligible for activation until Sept. 10.
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Codi Heuer RP | CLE
Tigers' Codi Heuer: Moved to Detroit
The Rangers traded Heuer to the Tigers on Thursday in exchange for cash.
Since being sent down to Triple-A in early June, Heuer has posted a 3.63 ERA and 1.27 WHIP alongside a 28:4 K:BB in 17.1 innings. He'll now provide additional bullpen depth to the Tigers' 40-man roster, but he'll begin his tenure in the organization at Triple-A Toledo.
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Brock Stewart RP | LAD
Dodgers' Brock Stewart: Traded back to Dodgers
The Dodgers acquired Stewart from the Twins on Thursday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.
It's a homecoming of sorts for Stewart, who was drafted by the Dodges and spent his first three-and-a-half seasons with them in a swingman role. Stewart is now 33 and has struggled with injuries, but he's been healthy this year outside of an early-season hamstring issue and has posted a 2.38 ERA and 41:11 K:BB over 34 innings. He is under team control through 2027.
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Kyle Finnegan RP | DET
Tigers' Kyle Finnegan: Acquired by Tigers
The Tigers acquired Finnegan from the Nationals on Thursday in exchange for Josh Randall and R.J. Sales, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.
Finnegan has notched 20 saves for the Nationals this season, collecting a 4.38 ERA and 32:14 K:BB over 39 innings along the way. He is unlikely to unseat Will Vest as the Tigers' primary closer option, but Finnegan will give manager A.J. Hinch another late-inning option. With Finnegan no longer around, Jose Ferrer could be the current favorite for saves in the Nationals' bullpen.
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Seranthony Dominguez RP | CHW
Blue Jays' Seranthony Dominguez: Notches first hold for new club
Dominguez struck out two in a perfect eighth inning to record a hold in Wednesday's win over the Orioles.
Facing the team that traded him away between the games of Tuesday's doubleheader, Dominguez got some immediate revenge by fanning Tyler O'Neill and Jordan Westburg to protect a 9-8 lead. The veteran righty has a 1.21 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 32:10 K:BB through 22.1 innings since the beginning of June, and he'll be one of the top setup options for Toronto's stretch run in front of closer Jeff Hoffman.
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Mark Leiter RP | ATH
Yankees' Mark Leiter: Faces hitters
Leiter (leg) threw a live batting practice session Thursday, Jorge Castillo of ESPN.com reports.
It appears to be the first time he's faced hitters since landing on the 15-day injured list in early July with a left fibular head stress fracture. Per Yankees manager Aaron Boone, Leiter could be ready to rejoin the bullpen during the team's series early next week in Texas.