MLB Player News

Robertson pitched a scoreless ninth inning, giving up only a hit while striking out none, to earn the save in a 3-2 win over the Mets on Sunday.

Robertson continues to perform well for the Cubs this season and the scoreless appearance lowered his ERA to 1.93. The 37-year-old veteran reliever now has 13 saves on the year. Unless his closer role with the Cubs is affected by a trade to another team before the deadline, his fantasy value should remain relatively consistent over the second half of the season.

Melancon earned the save during Sunday's 3-1 win against the Padres, striking out one in a 1-2-3 ninth inning.

Melancon retired the heart of San Diego's order on 16 pitches to earn only his second save since June 3, though both have come this week. Despite the two saves, the 37-year-old also has two losses in six appearances this month, though his seven strikeouts in 5.1 July innings matches his season high for a month already. Melancon concludes the first half with a 5.12 ERA and 1.55 WHIP with 22 strikeouts in 31.2 innings across 36 appearances.

Alvarado recorded two outs, including one strikeout, and earned a save against Miami on Sunday.

Alvarado entered the game with two on and one out in the ninth inning and needed just eight pitches to extinguish the threat from the Marlins. It was his first save opportunity since blowing a chance against the Nationals on June 17. The 27-year-old is now sporting a 41:18 K:BB with a 4.39 ERA through 26.2 frames.

Wilson didn't factor into the decision during Sunday's 8-3 victory over Colorado, allowing two runs on four hits with three strikeouts in 3.1 innings.

Wilson surrendered one run two batters into the game but was able to keep Colorado's offense in check until the fourth inning, when he departed with one out and two on. The bullpen let an inherited runner score, but the 24-year-old's three-start streak of allowing two runs or fewer remains alive. During the stretch, Wilson has pitched to a 2.81 ERA with 11 strikeouts in 16 innings, though he owns a poor 6.52 ERA in 49.2 innings on the season.

Blach was optioned to Triple-A Albuquerque on Sunday.

He last appeared in Friday's game, tossing a clean inning of relief. Blach has a 5.73 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 20 strikeouts in 37.2 innings in the big leagues this season.

Abbott was optioned to Triple-A Rochester after Sunday's game against Atlanta, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

He did not pitch in the game despite being promoted just ahead of the contest. Abbott has given up one run while striking out four in three innings in the majors and has a 5.34 ERA, 1.55 WHIP and 37 strikeouts in 30.1 innings at Triple-A.

The Cubs designated Norris for assignment Sunday, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Norris will cede his spot on the 40-man roster and 26-man active roster to fellow reliever Erich Uelmen, whose contract was selected from Triple-A Iowa. Over his 30 innings with the Cubs this season, Norris turned in a 6.90 ERA and 1.47 WHIP.

The Cubs selected Uelmen's contract from Triple-A Iowa on Sunday, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Chicago designated reliever Daniel Norris for assignment to clear space on the 40-man roster and 26-man active roster for Uelmen, a 2017 fourth-round draft pick who will reach the majors for the first time in his career. The 26-year-old right-hander turned in a 2.79 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 52:23 K:BB across 42 innings with Iowa this season.

The Pirates recalled Wilson from Triple-A Indianapolis and will have him start Sunday's game against the Rockies in Colorado, Mike Persak of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Reliever Chase De Jong (knee) was placed on the 15-day injured list to open up a spot on the active roster for Wilson, who will be making his ninth start of the season with the big club. Over his 11 total appearances in the big leagues this season, Wilson has gone 1-5 with a 6.60 ERA, 1.68 WHIP and 35:16 K:BB across 46.1 innings, so expectations should be tempered as he pitches in one of baseball's least-forgiving environments for pitchers in Coors Field.

The Cardinals placed VerHagen on the 15-day injured list Sunday with a right hip impingement.

Just four days ago, VerHagen returned from a three-week stint on the IL due to a sore right shoulder, but he made only two appearances out of the St. Louis bullpen before succumbing to another injury. His latest IL stint is backdated to Friday, so he'll be eligible to return as soon as July 30. The Cardinals reinstated Steven Matz (shoulder) from the IL in a corresponding move in advance of his scheduled start Sunday against the Reds.