MLB Player News

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.

Jansen struck out two in a clean inning to record his 29th save of the season Sunday versus the Cardinals.

He'd blown two his his last three save opportunities heading into Sunday, including one in Friday night's game, but he bounced back to retire the Cardinals in order. Jansen, who now sits fifth in all of MLB in saves, has the lowest WHIP (0.69) of any pitcher in that group, and the second-lowest ERA (1.44).

Mayers allowed a whopping nine runs on eight hits and two walks across just 1.1 innings in his big league debut Sunday against the Dodgers. He did manage to strike out one batter.

The rookie couldn't have gotten off to a worse start, as he allowed the first three men he faced to reach base before Adrian Gonzalez stepped up and smacked a grand slam to center. Mayers eventually got out of the first after allowing six runs and returned for the second, although he allowed the Dodgers to string a rally together and was chased after three more men crossed the plate. The club was expected to send Mayers down after Sunday's spot start all along, and his ERA of 60.75 should remove any doubt from the decision.

Melancon pitched a perfect ninth inning to notch his 30th save of the season Sunday.

Melancon was protecting a one-run lead and shut the door on the Phillies without a bit of drama. He's now converted 30 of 33 save opportunities, which have been accompanied by a 1.51 ERA and 0.96 WHIP this season.

Mayers' contract was purchased by the Cardinals on Sunday. He'll make his major league debut against the Dodgers.

Mayers will take the place of Miguel Socolovich (optioned to Triple-A Memphis) on the Cardinals' 25-man roster, earning his first turn in a major league rotation after posting a 2.94 ERA over nine starts with Triple-A Memphis this season, notching 43 strikeouts, but has struggled with command (19 walks). The move was made following the team's doubleheader Wednesday to allow Carlos Martinez regular rest for his next start, so this will likely be a single start before Mayers returns to the minors.

Melancon notched his 29th save with a scoreless ninth inning in Saturday's 7-4 victory over the Phillies. He struck out two.

The veteran closer has bounced back nicely from a pair of consecutive blown saves earlier in July, now having converted back-to-back save opportunities on the strength of two scoreless outings. Melancon is having a solid July despite the earlier hiccups, converting five of seven save chances and also recording a victory.

Strop pitched a scoreless inning Friday to earn his 17th hold of the season.

Strop walked one, but he still has a strong 47:12 K:BB over 36.2 innings this season. He has not given up a hit over his last five appearances.

Wagner struck out seven over five scoreless innings for Double-A Tennessee on Friday.

Wagner has pitched at four levels already this year, but he's spent most of the season struggling for Triple-A Iowa. The Cubs seem to just move him around to wherever they need a pitcher, which probably doesn't bode well for his long-term prospects. For the season, he has a 4.17 ERA and a 53:27 K:BB over 49.2 innings.

Maurer notched his fourth save with 1.1 innings of scoreless ball in Friday's 5-3 victory over the Nationals. He issued one walk and struck out two.

The 26-year-old reliever was called upon for the first time since Sunday and delivered with his sixth straight scoreless outing. Maurer has been excellent in a closing role in July, converting all four of his save opportunities and generating a 1.23 ERA over 7.1 innings.

Manager Walt Weiss said that Rusin (shoulder) is scheduled to make his final rehab start Sunday with Triple-A Albuquerque before joining the team next week for their series against the Orioles, Nick Groke of the Denver Post reports.

Rusin has been on the disabled list since June 8 with a shoulder strain, but it seems like the left-hander will finally be ready to return to the Rockies after a month and a half on the shelf. The Colorado bullpen and rotation have become fairly crowded since he last pitched, so it's currently unclear whether he'll be a starter or a long reliever once he is activated. Things should become more clear following his rehab start Sunday, however.