MLB Player News

The Pirates traded Rogers to the Cubs for Ivan Brethowr on Thursday, Danny Demilio of PittsburghBaseballNow.com reports.

Rogers' stay with the Pirates did not last long after he was traded from the Reds to Pittsburgh on Wednesday. As expected, the reliever was acquired by the Pirates to be flipped, which landed the Pirates an outfield prospect. Rogers should serve as a high-leverage relief option in Chicago.

The Pirates acquired Sisk and Callan Moss from the Royals on Thursday in exchange for Bailey Falter, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.

Sisk has spent most of the campaign at the Triple-A level, though he did make his MLB debut for the Royals earlier this year and gave up one earned run with an 11:5 K:BB across 5.1 innings. He'll have a clearer path to the big-league bullpen in Pittsburgh.

Linan was traded from the Dodgers to the Nationals on Thursday along with Eriq Swan in exchange for Alex Call, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.

Linan put up silly numbers at Single-A to start the year (1.21 ERA, 0.84 WHIP and 50 strikeouts in 29.2 innings) and has been excellent after a promotion to High-A, where he has a 2.65 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 39 strikeouts in 37.1 innings. Linan's changeup is easily his best pitch, and he could run into more trouble in the upper levels.

The Mets optioned Devenski to Triple-A Syracuse on Thursday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Devenski has turned in a 2.84 ERA and 0.95 WHIP through 12.2 innings with the Mets this season, but he'll end up back on the roster at Syracuse to make room in New York's bullpen for the newly acquired Tyler Rogers.

The Phillies designated de Geus for assignment Thursday, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

The Phillies needed to clear a 40-man spot in order to make room for new acquisition Harrison Bader, and they will do so by removing de Geus. The 27-year-old righty has given up one run in two innings with the Phillies this season and owns a 3.86 ERA with a 1.69 WHIP through 35 innings in Triple-A.

The Dodgers acquired Stewart from the Twins on Thursday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

It's a homecoming of sorts for Stewart, who was drafted by the Dodges and spent his first three-and-a-half seasons with them in a swingman role. Stewart is now 33 and has struggled with injuries, but he's been healthy this year outside of an early-season hamstring issue and has posted a 2.38 ERA and 41:11 K:BB over 34 innings. He is under team control through 2027.

Wentz adjusted the grip on his cutter last month, which he says has fueled his recent form, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

The 27-year-old southpaw struggled earlier in the season for the Pirates and Twins, but since Atlanta claimed him off the waiver wire July 11, Wentz has delivered a 1.50 ERA, 0.72 WHIP and 21:6 K:BB over 18 innings and four appearances (three starts). "Joey's been great," manager Brian Snitker said after Wednesday's game, in which Wentz blanked the Royals over 6.2 innings. "It's just been about getting him stretched out, and now he is. He's just kind of quietly doing a really, really good job for us. And we're in a situation because we were looking for starters." Wentz's mediocre big-league track record still outweighs his July numbers, but if his cutter has become a true out pitch, he might finally begin to live up to his draft pedigree after being the 40th overall selection in the 2016 First-Year Player Draft.

The Padres acquired Miller and JP Sears from the Athletics on Thursday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports, in exchange for shortstop Leo De Vries and three right-handed pitchers -- Braden Nett Eduarniel Nunez and Henry Baez.

De Vries is the headliner going to the Athletics, and the Padres will send three pitchers to the A's, as well. With Miller poised to take over as the Padres' closer, incumbent closer Robert Suarez is expected to be traded. Miller has collected a 3.76 ERA and 59:18 K:BB over 38.1 innings this season for the Athletics and is under team control through 2029.

Walker (2-4) took the loss in Wednesday's 2-1 extra-inning defeat to the Pirates, allowing one unearned run and a walk in the 10th inning.

Walker induced a groundout that moved the automatic runner to third before walking the next batter. The 29-year-old then cleanly fielded a groundball but attempted a double play, allowing the automatic runner to score. Over six appearances since the All-Star break, the right-hander has been charged with three earned runs on seven hits -- including one home run -- and four walks while striking out eight across 6.1 innings. Walker now owns a 4.12 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and a 43:13 K:BB over 43.2 innings in 47 outings this season.

Graceffo "looks to be an early contender" to serve as the Cardinals' closer if Phil Maton joins Ryan Helsley in being traded, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

Woo mentions Kyle Leahy and Riley O'Brien as possibilities, as well. JoJo Romero would likely also be in the mix, but he is a candidate to be traded. Since moving to a full-time bullpen role in late April, Graceffo has collected a 2.89 ERA and 44:11 K:BB over 43.2 innings between Triple-A Memphis and St. Louis.