MLB Player News

Gallegos was mentioned by manager Mike Shildt on Wednesday among a group of Cardinals who could pitch in the ninth inning going forward, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

Kwang-Hyun Kim was the Cardinals' closer to open the year, but the team has since decided he's best suited to a starting role. Gallegos was drafted as the likely closer by most fantasy players this offseason, though he was merely mentioned as one of several options by Shildt. Gallegos had closer-like numbers last season, striking out 33.3 percent of opposing batters while walking just 5.7 percent en route to a 2.31 ERA, though he recorded just a single save.

Helsley was mentioned by manager Mike Shildt on Wednesday as one of the Cardinals' top candidates to close going forward, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

Kwang-Hyun Kim opened the year as the Cardinals' closer, but the team has since decided to move him into the rotation. With Jordan Hicks opting out of the season, the ninth inning is wide open in St. Louis, and Helsley was one of a large group of candidates who are being considered for the job. Helsley has closer velocity, with his fastball averaging just shy of 98 mph, though he hasn't necessarily achieved closer-worthy results through his first 39.1 big-league innings. His 2.75 ERA is quite strong, but it's come with a 4.04 FIP and a 5.04 xFIP, as his 21.1 percent strikeout rate is rather unimpressive.

Gonzalez was optioned to the Dodgers' alternate training site Wednesday, Pedro Moura of The Athletic reports.

Gonzalez spent less than a week on the big-league roster, allowing a run on three hits in one inning in his only appearance. Zach McKinstry was recalled in a corresponding move.

Jurado was traded from the Rangers to the Mets in exchange for a player to be named later or cash Wednesday.

Jurado was designated for assignment by the Rangers on Friday but will remain on a 40-man roster, albeit for a different organization. He'll join the Mets' alternate training site for now. The 24-year-old righty owns a poor 5.85 ERA through 177 big-league innings, striking out just 13.2 percent of opposing batters, so the Mets would likely prefer to keep him in a low-leverage role.

Cabrera was recalled from the Cardinals' alternate training site in Springfield on Wednesday and is expected to join the team for an afternoon workout, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Having already endured his own bout with coronavirus this summer, Cabrera will now help shore up a roster that's been significantly depleted for the time being due to the COVID infections of multiple players. The southpaw has been been sharp during bullpen sessions and batting practice in Springfield, and he should be capable of filling a multi-inning role out of the bullpen if necessary.

Reyes was recalled from the Cardinals' alternate training site in Springfield on Wednesday and should join the team for an afternoon workout, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Reyes has already dealt with the coronavirus this summer, and he'll now be summoned to help shore up a roster that's been significantly depleted for the time being due to the COVID infections of multiple players. The right-hander has reportedly been flashing impressive velocity during his bullpen sessions and live batting practices in Springfield, and it remains to be seen how he'll be deployed with the big-league club.

The Dodgers are expecting to get an update on the status of Kelly's appeal of his eight-game suspension by the end of the week, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

MLB handed Kelly an eight-game suspension July 29 for his role in a dustup with Houston the previous day, but Kelly subsequently appealed the decision and has been available out of the Dodgers' bullpen while the league determines his fate. In three appearances since the incident, the right-hander has thrown 2.1 scoreless innings, though he has allowed three hits and two walks without a strikeout in that span.

Sewald allowed two hits and a walk in 1.2 scoreless innings during Tuesday's loss to the Nationals.

The right-hander entered the game in the fourth inning after a poor performance from Steven Matz, but Sewald ran into trouble of his own in the fifth, loading the bases with two outs before getting bailed out by Jeurys Familia. Sewald has a 5.06 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 2:2 K:BB through 5.1 innings, and his low-leverage role offers little fantasy appeal.

Almonte picked up the save Tuesday against the Giants, tossing 1.2 scoreless innings and allowing one hit. He did not walk or strike out any batters.

Almonte was called upon to relieve ace German Marquez with the tying run at the plate and one out in the eighth inning. He induced a double play to get out of the jam, and Colorado chose to leave him on the mound in the ninth to get three more outs and notch the save. The Rockies' closer situation is hazy with Wade Davis (shoulder) placed on the injured list Sunday, but Almonte doesn't figure to be in line for many more save opportunities. Jairo Diaz sat out Tuesday after registering saves in consecutive opportunities the previous two days, and he figures to be the primary closing option while Davis is out.

Lamet allowed two runs (one earned) on two hits and a pair of walks, striking out two over 5.2 innings in a no-decision versus the Dodgers on Tuesday.

Lamet carried a no-hitter into the sixth inning, but it all unraveled there. The right-hander allowed back-to-back singles to Cody Bellinger and Corey Seager, the latter causing two runs to score when center fielder Trent Grisham committed an error. Tough ending aside, Lamet had another strong outing. He's posted a 1.72 ERA and 1.15 WHIP with 17 strikeouts in 15.2 innings this season. His next turn on the mound is expected to come on the road Monday as a rematch versus the Dodgers.