MLB Player News

Montero, 25, has a 2.45 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 15:8 K:BB in 18.1 innings (three starts) since being demoted to Double-A Binghamton. He could be an option to make a spot start for the Mets on Saturday against the Rockies.

Admittedly, the Mets would probably prefer to keep Montero in the minor leagues, given the fact he has walked 48 hitters in 98.1 innings between Double-A and Triple-A this season. However, he may be the best option to fill a hole in the schedule created by Monday's postponement and Tuesday's subsequent doubleheader, considering he would be able to start Saturday on normal rest and he is already on the 40-man roster. If Montero does get the call for Saturday's start, it would be wise to avoid him in most formats.

De Leon was shelled for seven runs over just 1.1 innings Monday for Triple-A Oklahoma City.

As a result, De Leon's ERA jumped from 2.49 to 3.83. He's been especially dominant lately, at least prior to Monday, and given that we haven't heard of any sort of injury it's probably safe to chalk this one up to "one of those nights." At a minimum, however, this should quash any thoughts of a promotion for the time being.

Garcia (biceps) moved his rehab assignment to Double-A Tulsa and tossed a pair of hitless innings with four strikeouts on Monday, reports Eric Stephen of True Blue LA.

Garcia has allowed two runs over six innings with a 9:0 K:BB in total on his rehab. He could be a sneaky addition to a solid Dodgers bullpen within the next week or so.

The Cardinals recalled Kiekhefer from Triple-A Memphis on Tuesday.

Kiekhefer was brought up to take the roster spot of Trevor Rosenthal (shoulder), who landed on the disabled list. Kiekhefer appeared in 11 games out of the Cardinals bullpen earlier this season and posted a 5.73 ERA and 9:2 K:BB over 11 innings.

Smith has given up 11 runs this year, eight earned, striking out 17 over 18.2 innings of work.

The 27-year-old lefty allowed five of those runs against the Cubs in his last outing on July 24. Besides the blemish, Smith has been solid as a setup man since starting his season in June, following a knee injury that he suffered in the offseason.

Lopez was transferred from Triple-A Colorado Springs to Double-A Biloxi on Tuesday, Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Lopez has had a rough season both in the thin air of Colorado Springs and on the road, so the Brewers decided to move him down a level in hopes of getting him back on track. Lopez made his major league debut last season, and if he rebounds as the Brewers hope, he could get another shot with the big club before the current campaign comes to a close.

Chapman was traded to the Cubs on Monday, MLB Network Insider Jon Heyman reports.

Chapman will most likely inherit the ninth-inning duties for the Cubs, overtaking current closer Hector Rondon. The Cubs will be sending top prospect Gleyber Torres, prospect Billy McKinney, pitcher Adam Warren and one more player to the Yankees in the deal. There is no initial word if the deal includes an extension with Chapman and the Cubs. On the season, the flame-throwing left-hander owns a 2.01 ERA and 0.89 WHIP with 44 strikeouts in 31.1 innings.

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

A night after he got shelled by the Dodgers, the Cardinals sent the right-hander back to Triple-A Memphis. The 24-year-old was having a fantastic season between Double-A and Triple-A before getting called up, compiling a 2.62 ERA and 1.21 WHIP with 86 strikeouts in 106.2 innings. Back in Memphis, he'll need to work on his command of the strike zone.

Rusin (shoulder) gave up three runs on four hits and a walk while striking out five over 3.2 innings Sunday in what may have been his final rehab start with Triple-A Albuquerque.

The Rockies are expected to activate Rusin in the coming days to serve as bullpen depth down the stretch. He could see a spot start or two as well, depending on the health of the rotation, and whether someone like Jorge De La Rosa is dealt at the deadline. Rusin has a 5.08 ERA in 39 innings as a big league starter this season, but he boasts a 1.37 ERA in 19.2 innings as a reliever.

De La Rosa was transferred from the 15-day DL to the 60-day DL on Monday.

De La Rosa was placed on the 60-day DL in order to make room for right-handed pitcher Braden Shipley on the 40-man roster after he had his contract selected from Triple-A on Monday. This move means that De La Rosa's season could be over, as he will not be eligible to return from the DL until late September. The 27-year-old hasn't pitched since May 25, but his 4.15 ERA and 1.15 WHIP in eight starts are better than anticipated, which could be a confidence booster heading into 2017.