MLB Player News

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 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 Padres recalled Knehr from Triple-A El Paso in advance of his scheduled start in the second game of Tuesday's doublheader with the Rockies in San Diego.

As expected, Knehr joins the Padres to make his fourth appearance and first start of 2022. Though he has yet to allow a run in 8.1 innings in the majors in 2022, he's been far less effective over a larger sample of action at Triple-A. In 23 appearances for El Paso spanning 67 innings, Knehr has submitted a 6.85 ERA and 1.64 WHIP.

The Phillies claimed Vasquez (ankle) off waivers from Toronto on Tuesday and optioned him to Triple-A Lehigh Valley, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

Before landing on the Blue Jays' 15-day injured list in early June due to a right ankle sprain, Vasquez posted an 8.10 ERA in 6.2 innings of relief for the Blue Jays. He's now healthy again after making three appearances during a minor-league rehab assignment, but the Blue Jays didn't have a spot for him on the 40-man roster. The 28-year-old will find a new home in Philadelphia, but he'll first have to prove himself at Triple-A before getting a call back to the majors.

The Rockies recalled Blach from Triple-A Albuquerque on Tuesday.

The left-hander was demoted July 17 despite allowing just one run in 6.1 innings across his last three big-league appearances. Overall, Blach has a 5.73 ERA and 1.35 WHIP in 18 games (one start) for Colorado this season and figures to see some middle-relief work going forward.

Melancon (3-10) blew the save and took the loss Monday, giving up two unearned runs on two hits and a walk over 1.2 innings in a 6-5 extra-innings loss to the Guardians.

The Diamondbacks took the lead in the top of the 10th inning, but Melancon gave up a single to Andres Gimenez to bring home Cleveland's phantom runner, and the veteran right-hander then suffered the same fate in the 11th as Amed Rosario walked it off with another single. Melancon's 10 losses on the year lead all relievers, but the blown save was only his third, with his last one coming June 4. His numbers aren't great, but his spot as Arizona's closer doesn't seem to be in immediate jeopardy.

Garcia retired both batters he faced to earn the save in Monday's 4-1 win over the Rockies.

Nick Martinez pitched a scoreless eighth inning but allowed two hits in the ninth. Garcia then entered and escaped the jam on just four pitches to earn his second save in as many days. The right-hander appeared to be the next man up after Taylor Rogers was removed from the closer role, but the Padres' acquisition of Josh Hader from the Brewers on Monday suggests Garcia's time in the ninth inning is soon to end. He's still been an effective high-leverage option with a 3.18 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, 42:12 K:BB, two saves and 18 holds through 39.2 innings this year.

Martinez was reinstated from the paternity list Monday.

Martinez spent the weekend with his wife and newborn, but he has rejoined the Padres and will be available out of San Diego's bullpen moving forward. He figures to fill a key role in front of new closer Josh Hader.

Knehr will be called up from Triple-A El Paso to start the second game of Tuesday's doubleheader with the Rockies at Petco Park, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Knehr will be pitching for the Padres for the first time since July 12 and just the fourth time all season. He hasn't allowed a run through 8.1 big-league innings in 2022, but he owns a 6.85 ERA and 1.64 WHIP across 67 frames at Triple-A.