MLB Player News

Erceg (2-1) took the loss against the Twins on Sunday, allowing two earned runs on two hits and two walks without recording an out.

Erceg's outing headed south immediately, as he allowed a walk and an infield single to load the bases before surrendering a three-run double to Alex Kirilloff that erased Minnesota's 3-2 deficit for good. After not conceding an earned run for nine consecutive appearances between June 7 and June 27, Erceg has now pitched to an abysmal 18.00 ERA and 3.33 WHIP across the six innings covering his last six trips to the mound, albeit while also recording an impressive 13 strikeouts in that span.

Bazardo was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk on Monday, Rich Dubroff of BaltimoreBaseball.com reports.

He's the corresponding roster move for the promotion of Grayson Rodriguez, Bazardo has allowed four runs in 2.1 innings during his brief time in the majors this season.

The Cardinals designated Cabrera for assignment Monday, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

Woo relays that the Cardinals had been receiving trade inquiries for Cabrera, but St. Louis' decision to remove him from the 40-man roster perhaps suggests that the lefty reliever's market wasn't as robust as anticipated. The Cardinals will still have the ability to trade Cabrera over the next week, but he'll otherwise get exposed to waivers if no deal is reached. The 26-year-old posted a 5.06 ERA, 1.56 WHIP and 38:18 K:BB over 32 innings out of the St. Louis bullpen this season.

Jackson (2-0) picked up the win over the Diamondbacks on Sunday, striking out one in a perfect inning of relief.

Yusei Kikuchi ran up his pitch count and left the game after 4.2 innings with the score tied, and Jackson wound up as the pitcher of record after replacing him when the Jays took the lead for good in the bottom of the fifth. The 35-year-old has been excellent in a low-leverage role for Toronto, posting a 1.00 ERA, 0.56 WHIP and 9:2 K:BB in nine innings over seven appearances this season.

Swanson picked up his second save of the season Sunday, giving up a hit before recording the final out of a 7-5 win over Arizona.

The Blue Jays took a 7-2 lead into the ninth inning, but Mitch White made a mess of things by walking the bases loaded with two outs, forcing Swanson into the game as Jordan Romano (back) was unavailable. The right-hander did serve up a bases-clearing double to Ketel Marte before closing out the win, but all the runs were charged to White. Swanson has seen his numbers erode over the last month or so, and he carries a 4.38 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 9:2 K:BB in his last 12.1 innings. He remains in Toronto's high-leverage mix and has six holds over that stretch in addition to Sunday's save, but Yimi Garcia may be the more trusted arm from the right side at the moment.

Okert (3-1) took the loss Sunday against the Orioles, coughing up three runs on four hits in only one-third of an inning.

Getting the nod as the opener in a bullpen day, Okert gave up doubles to the first two batters he faced before Anthony Santander crushed a slider over the center-field fence. Long balls have been an issue for the southpaw reliever lately -- he's served up three homers in his last 9.1 innings, posting a 6.75 ERA and 1,39 WHIP over that stretch despite a 13:2 K:BB. Okert already has 10 holds and three wins in 38 appearances on the season, but his grip on a set-up role could be tenuous.

Diaz allowed one hit and struck out one over two-thirds of an inning in Sunday's 4-3 loss to Milwaukee.

The game was setting up as a save opportunity for Diaz, as the Reds entered the eighth inning with a 3-2 lead. However, setup reliever Lucas Sims allowed a run and left with a runner on second base. Diaz was summoned earlier than usual but was unable to prevent the inherited runner from scoring, as Andruw Monasterio's flare to right field landed in play. The All-Star closer has a better-than-average 80.5 percent strand rate.

Sims (3-2) was tagged with Sunday's loss to the Brewers. He allowed two runs on one hit and one walk over two-thirds of an inning.

The Reds held a 3-2 lead entering the eighth inning and were hoping to prevent a sweep at the hand of their division rivals. Sims, who closed out the seventh inning, allowed a walk and a single to lead off the eighth before Owen Miller's sacrifice fly tied the game. Another run was charged to Sims after he left the game. Sims, who has been near-impeccable as the Reds' primary setup reliever, entered the game with a 1.93 ERA over the previous 18.2 innings and was the bullpen with 13 holds.

Robertson (4-2) earned the win over the Dodgers on Sunday after allowing a hit and striking out a batter over two scoreless innings.

Robertson stranded Chris Taylor in scoring position in the ninth after allowing a double and then retired all three Dodger hitters in the 10th to strand the automatic runner. The Mets would walk it off in the bottom of the inning, awarding Robertson is fourth win of the year to compliment his 12 saves. The 38-year-old has pitched to a sparkling 1.96 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 47:11 K:BB in 41.1 innings this season. Given his experience, Robertson could be one of the top relievers available on the trade market should the Mets end up deciding to sell.

Williams picked up the save in Sunday's 4-3 victory over the Reds. He struck out one over a clean inning.

Sunday's appearance marked five straight outings without surrendering a hit, a stretch in which Williams has picked up five saves and struck out 11 batters. The right-hander is now in sole possession of sixth place in saves and boasts a 1.73 ERA and 0.96 WHIP through 36.1 innings.