MLB Player News

Robertson is far from a lock to secure a true closer role in Philadelphia, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

The Phillies have used a committee setup since removing Corey Knebel from the closer role in mid-June, and while Robertson has 151 career saves to his name (including 14 this season), he reportedly wasn't acquired with an eye toward a return to a traditional approach in the final frame. His 2.23 ERA and 30.9 percent strikeout rate would certainly make him a fine fit for the role should the Phillies choose to deploy him that way, though Seranthony Dominguez beats both of those marks (1.67 ERA, 31.5 percent strikeout rate) and has merely been a committee member, so Robertson may wind up being used in a similar fashion. Zolecki even suggests that it will be Dominguez and Brad Hand who remain at the head of the committee, with Robertson potentially no higher than third in line for saves.

Bautista is the presumptive closer for Baltimore after Jorge Lopez was traded to the Twins on Tuesday, Zachary Silver of MLB.com reports.

A 27-year-old rookie, Bautista has emerged as one of manager Brandon Hyde's top arms, posting a 1.66 ERA, 0.88 WHIP and 56:14 K:BB through 43.1 innings this season. Bautista is tied for second on the team in holds and has recorded only one save since mid-May, but the overwhelming dominance Bautista has shown with his 98-plus-mph heater makes him the most likely candidate to step into the ninth-inning role. Bautista told Silver through an interpreter that closing big-league games would be "a dream come true, something I've always dreamt of."

The Blue Jays will call up Gage from Triple-A Buffalo prior to Tuesday's game in Tampa Bay, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Gage has a 2.16 ERA at Triple-A since his July 4 demotion. He was effective with Toronto prior to being sent down, posting a 1.38 ERA with 12 strikeouts in 13 innings. The Blue Jays will likely limit his usage to lower-leverage spots in relief while he's up with the big club.

The Guardians acquired Hamilton from the Twins on Tuesday in exchange for catcher Sandy Leon.

Neither player was on the 40-man roster, so Hamilton and Leon will merely swap spots with the respective Triple-A affiliates of their new organizations. Hamilton had previously made one appearance out of the big-league bullpen June 4 in Toronto, when he joined the roster as a replacement player. Over 28.2 innings at Triple-A St. Paul this season, he produced a 2.20 ERA, 0.85 WHIP and 36:8 K:BB.

Szapucki was traded from the Mets to the Giants on Tuesday along with J.D. Davis, Nick Zwack and Carson Seymour in exchange for Darin Ruf, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports.

A lefty who underwent Tommy John surgery in 2019, Szapucki's 65.1 total innings this season are his highest mark in a pro season to date, so it's safe to say he does not have the durability to be a starter. At 26 years old and with a 3.38 ERA and 87 strikeouts at Triple-A, he could be ready to help the Giants' bullpen in short order.

The Giants acquired Stryffeler from the Mariners on Tuesday in exchange for catcher Curt Casali (oblique) and Matthew Boyd (elbow), Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

Casali was on an expiring deal and not a part of the Giants' short- or long-term plan, so the Giants opted to cash him out for Stryffeler, a 26-year-old right-handed pitching prospect. Stryffeler was promoted to Triple-A Tacoma on Monday after he turned in a 2.27 ERA and 1.23 WHIP while recording 14 saves and striking out 57 over 35.2 innings for Double-A Arkansas. He'll likely report to the Giants' Triple-A affiliate in Sacramento.

The Rangers recalled Sborz from Triple-A Round Rock on Tuesday, Joseph Hoyt of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Sborz replaces Matt Bush, who was traded to Milwaukee on Monday. Although he's pitched well with a 1.61 ERA at Triple-A this season, Sborz has a 7.94 mark in 11.1 big-league innings and doesn't figure to be entrusted with many important innings out of the Rangers' bullpen.

The Cubs acquired Robertson from the Phillies on Tuesday in exchange for right-hander Ben Brown, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Robertson will rejoin the team he signed a two-year deal with back in 2019. He's had a couple rocky outings since the start of July -- including his last one -- but he saved 14 games for the Cubs and owns a 2.23 ERA and 1.04 WHIP on the season, so he's sure to provide a boost to the back end of the Phillies' bullpen. Seranthony Dominguez and Brad Hand are likely to move into setup roles to clear the way for Robertson to serve as the Phillies' primary option in save situations.

The Pirates recalled Holderman from Triple-A Indianapolis on Tuesday, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Holderman will be moving up to Pittsburgh after the team had an opening on its 26-man active roster and in its bullpen following Monday's trade that sent Chris Stratton to St. Louis. Since being acquired from the Mets on July 22, Holderman has pitched exclusively for the Pirates' Triple-A club.

The Blue Jays designated Banda for assignment Monday.

Toronto traded for Anthony Bass and Zach Pop to fortify the bullpen, so Banda was expendable. Banda had a 5.88 ERA, 1.88 WHIP and 29 strikeouts in 26 innings through 30 appearances.