MLB Player News

Lee struck out two batters over 1.1 perfect innings Monday while earning a save over the Mets.

Lee entered with two on and two out in the eighth inning, tasked with protecting a 3-2 lead. He struck out Juan Soto to end the threat before retiring the Mets' 4-5-6 hitters in order during the ninth inning to finish off the win. Raisel Iglesias recorded two outs and put two runners aboard in the eighth before Lee took over, while Pierce Johnson -- who hasn't pitched since Friday -- remained in the bullpen. Lee earned his second save of the year and first since April 26. He dropped his ERA to 1.77 across 36 appearances and has not allowed an earned run in his last 13.2 frames.

DeSclafani picked up the save in Monday's 10-0 win versus the White Sox, allowing two walks and no hits over three scoreless innings. He struck out four.

The grizzled veteran secured his first career save with this performance, as he generated an impressive 11 whiffs out of 45 total pitches. DeSclafani hadn't pitched since 2023 before joining Arizona on June 15. Following this appearance, the 35-year-old now sports a 6.14 ERA through 7.1 total frames and looks set to continue working in long relief for the Diamondbacks.

Fulmer worked around two hits to toss two scoreless innings of relief in Monday's 8-2 loss to the Cardinals.

After Chicago starter Ben Brown was tagged for eight runs in five innings, Fulmer came on in mop-up duty with the game largely out of reach. It was the veteran righty's first appearance for the Cubs this season, as he started the year in Boston before getting cut loose toward the end of April. Fulmer previously pitched for Chicago in 2023, logging a 4.42 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 65 strikeouts across 57 innings out of the bullpen. He will likely serve as a low-leverage reliever this time around for the Cubs, which limits his fantasy appeal.

Rodriguez has been diagnosed with a flexor strain in his right arm but has resumed throwing in Arizona, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Rodriguez was removed from his start with Triple-A Nashville in late May after experiencing discomfort in his right arm. The good news for the 23-year-old is that he has been cleared to resume throwing, which indicates that the injury is not severe enough to result in a lengthy absence on the IL. Rodriguez is 3-2 across 11 games (10 starts) in Triple-A this season with a 2.64 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 51:18 K:BB across 47.2 innings.

The Cubs selected Fulmer's contract from Triple-A Iowa on Monday.

Fulmer will begin his second stint in the big leagues with the Cubs, after he previously made 58 relief appearances for the club during the 2023 season. He underwent UCL revision surgery shortly after that season and didn't pitch in 2024 before catching on with the Red Sox. After being booted off the Red Sox's 40-man roster and electing free agency in April, Fulmer reunited with the Cubs on a minor-league deal and pitched effectively at the Triple-A level. He'll earn another look in the Chicago bullpen after he logged a 2.96 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 32:11 K:BB in 24.1 innings with Iowa.

The Cardinals recalled Munoz from Triple-A Memphis on Monday.

He's swapping in for Gordon Graceffo on the active roster as the Cardinals add a fresh bullpen arm. Munoz has made five relief appearances for St. Louis this season, yielding six runs with a 7:3 K:BB over 5.2 innings.

The Cardinals optioned Graceffo to Triple-A Memphis on Monday.

Graceffo tossed two scoreless relief innings Sunday against the Reds during his lone day with the big club. Roddery Munoz is taking Graceffo's roster spot as the Cardinals add a fresh bullpen arm.

The Cubs optioned Pearson to Triple-A Iowa on Sunday.

Pearson's stay with the Cubs lasted just two days, with the right-hander getting sent back to Iowa after he was roughed up for five earned runs on five hits and two walks over two innings while mopping up in Sunday's 14-6 loss to the Mariners. Chicago called up right-hander Michael Fulmer from Iowa to take Pearson's spot in the bullpen.

The Mets optioned Zuber to Triple-A Syracuse on Monday.

He's being replaced on the roster and in the bullpen by Richard Lovelady, who signed a one-year contract with the team. Zuber was with the big club for just a couple days, allowing two runs over two innings in his lone relief appearance.

Junk is scheduled to start Thursday's game against the Giants in San Francisco, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Junk will make his second straight start and his third consecutive turn through the rotation overall, after he previously worked in bulk relief in a July 14 victory over Washington. The right-hander has been credited with the win in both of his last two appearances while permitting just one earned run on seven hits and no walks while striking out nine over 10.2 innings. Junk doesn't have a long track record of success at the big-league level, but he should be able to hold down a rotation spot for Miami until Max Meyer (hip) or Ryan Weathers (lat) is ready to return from the injured list.