MLB Player News

Cruz and three minor-league pitchers were traded to the Nationals from the Yankees in exchange for Luis Garcia on Sunday, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

Cruz will head to Washington after he posted a 1.69 ERA and 0.75 WHIP with six strikeouts over 5.1 innings in four appearances with the Yankees this season. The right-hander will likely slot right into the Nationals' major-league bullpen upon his arrival with the organization. Minor-league pitchers Jake Bird, Ben Grable and Jack Cebert will also head to Washington in the transaction.

Lopez underwent an MRI on Sunday that showed no structural damage to his left knee, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Lopez was placed on the 15-day injured list earlier in the day due to knee inflammation, and more thorough testing hasn't turned up anything beyond that. Manager Walt Weiss noted that he's hopeful Lopez will be able to return from the IL when first eligible Aug. 14.

The Mets designated Gerber for assignment Sunday.

New York previously optioned the right-handed reliever to Triple-A Syracuse back on July 5 after he had posted a 4.32 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 8:4 K:BB in 8.1 innings over seven appearances across four stints in the majors on the season. Gerber will give up his spot on the 40-man roster to catcher Shawn Ross, who was claimed off waivers from the Pirates.

Iglesias earned the save in Sunday's 4-2 win over Washington, striking out one and walking one in a scoreless ninth inning.

Iglesias has now held opponents without an earned run in his last five innings, as he improved to 24-for-26 in save chances this season. The veteran closer's lowered his ERA to 2.25 across 40 innings this year with a 1.05 WHIP and 44:10 K:BB.

The Mets optioned Pintaro to Triple-A Syracuse on Sunday.

Pintaro covered two scoreless frames Saturday against the Marlins and will now head to Triple-A in favor of a fresh arm. The 28-year-old has made six appearances for the Mets this year and has a 4.40 ERA, 0.84 WHIP and 15:5 K:BB over 14.1 innings.

Hart will start Sunday's game against the Giants.

Hart hasn't pitched since serving as an opener Wednesday versus Colorado, and he'll fill the role again for Sunday's series finale versus San Francisco. He covered a season-high 2.2 innings during that outing and has lasted as least two frames in 13 of his 28 appearances, so a similar workload seems likely this time around. Michael King's start was pushed to Monday after he was previously penciled in to pitch Sunday.

The Pirates optioned Mattson to Triple-A Indianapolis on Sunday.

The right-hander was just called up Saturday and will return to Indianapolis without making an appearance. Mattson has been inconsistent across 36 big-league outings this year with a 4.93 ERA, 1.56 WHIP and 33:16 K:BB over 34.2 innings.

Atlanta placed Lopez (knee) on the 15-day injured list Sunday.

Atlanta is labeling Lopez's injury as left knee inflammation, though Mark Bowman of MLB.com relays that the club is still awaiting the results of the right-hander's MRI before providing a timeline for his return. Right-hander JR Ritchie was recalled from Triple-A Gwinnett in a corresponding move and will step in as Atlanta's new fifth starter beginning with Sunday's game against the Nationals. Since moving back into the rotation in late June after a two-month stint in the bullpen, Lopez went 1-2 with a 3.86 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 27:8 K:BB in 28 innings over six starts.

Martinez (elbow) will begin a rehab assignment at Single-A Visalia on Tuesday, MLB.com reports.

Martinez participated in a camp game Friday and reportedly hit 100 mph on his four-seamer. The recent upheaval in the Diamondbacks' bullpen -- Paul Sewald was removed as closer -- indicates Martinez could reclaim the job once he's healthy. That may not happen until September, however.

Sewald allowed five runs on five hits and failed to retire a batter in Saturday's 12-8 win over the Guardians.

Sewald was making his first appearance since being dropped from the closer's role earlier in the week, and it didn't go well. It appeared that manager Torey Lovullo was giving the demoted closer an opportunity to build confidence -- Arizona was leading 10-2 when Sewald entered to begin the eighth inning -- but he allowed five straight hits and was on the hook for three runners on base when he was removed from the game.