MLB Player News

Pagan notched a save against the Cubs on Monday, striking out two batters in a perfect inning of work.

Pagan entered in the ninth inning with Cincinnati up 3-2. He battled for a seven-pitch strikeout of Seiya Suzuki, then fanned Carson Kelly on six pitches before getting Willi Castro to ground out to end the game. Pagan had given up four runs (three earned) over his previous three appearances, so this was a much-needed smooth outing for him. The right-hander is up to 24 saves on the season, tied for seventh-most in the majors.

Megill earned the save in in Monday's 3-1 win over Atlanta, throwing a spotless ninth inning. He struck out one.

The save was Megill's 25th of the year, and he hasn't given up a run since the start of July. The 31-year-old right-hander has just about been a lights-out closer for the Brewers in 2025 -- Megill owns a 1.52 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and 35:10 K:BB over his last 29.2 innings since the beginning of May.

Rodriguez (3-3) blew the save and took the loss in Monday's game against the Pirates. He allowed two runs on a hit, a walk and a hit-by-pitch in two-thirds of an inning with one strikeout.

Rodriguez was seeking to convert his second straight save since Camilo Doval was traded to the Yankees at the deadline. Things were shaky from the start, as the flamethrowing righty walked Andrew McCutchen to open the ninth. After placing another runner aboard via a hit-by-pitch, Joey Bart knotted the game at 4-4 with an RBI single. The next batter, Isiah Kiner-Falefa then plated the winning run on a groundball fielder's choice. Rodriguez should continue to serve as the main saves option in San Francisco; however, if he blows future opportunities, former Giants closer Ryan Walker is waiting in the wings. Rodriguez has pitched to a 1.54 ERA, 0.88 WHIP and 64:11 K:BB across 46.2 total innings.

The Rockies will recall Molina from Triple-A Albuquerque and will have him start Tuesday's game against the Blue Jays at Coors Field, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

Kyle Freeland has been dealing with a sinus infection and will be pushed back from Tuesday to make his next start in Wednesday, but Colorado already had an existing opening in its rotation for the series with the Blue Jays after Antonio Senzatela (finger) was placed on the injured list Saturday. Molina will be called upon to take over Senzatela's spot for what will be his second MLB start and his first of the 2025 season. Since being optioned to Triple-A on June 27, Molina has been one of Albuquerque's most effective starters, as he's turned in a 3.06 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 15:4 K:BB in 17.2 innings over four outings. Molina could be in line for multiple turns through the Colorado rotation until the Rockies get one of Senzatela or German Marquez (biceps) back from the IL.

Rockies interim manager Warren Schaeffer said Sunday that Herget will see more opportunities late in games after closer Seth Halvorsen (elbow) was placed on the 15-day injured list, Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post reports.

Schaeffer tabbed Victor Vodnik and Juan Mejia as the main candidates to pick up saves while Halvorsen is out, but Herget will move up a rung in the bullpen pecking order and could serve as one of the Rockies' top setup men. The 31-year-old right-hander has covered 58.2 innings over his 39 appearances for Colorado this season, logging a 2.91 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 49:19 K:BB while collecting two holds.

Rockies interim manager Warren Schaeffer said Sunday that Mejia and Victor Vodnik will share the closer job while Seth Halvorsen is on the 15-day injured list, Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post reports.

Schaeffer added that Jimmy Herget will also factor into the late-inning mix, though he's more likely to serve as a setup man, whereas Vodnik and Mejia should be the top options for saves. Mejia has pitched well in his first major-league season, collecting a 4.05 ERA (3.38 FIP) and 43:13 K:BB across 40 relief innings. The 25-year-old has yet to record a save at the major-league level, but he's been seeing more high-leverage work, notching four holds over his last nine appearances. While Mejia is a talented reliever, the odds are against him being a steady source of saves in Colorado.

Rockies interim manager Warren Schaeffer said Sunday that Vodnik and Juan Mejia will share closer duties while Seth Halvorsen (elbow) is on the 15-day injured list, Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post reports.

Vodnik has registered two saves this season, posting a 3.55 ERA and 34:20 K:BB over 33 innings along the way. While the right-hander has a big arm and is a groundball pitcher, a 1.55 WHIP and 13.8 percent walk rate portend to trouble. Halvorsen could miss several weeks with a mild right flexor strain, but the Rockies' closer situation is likely to remain difficult to depend on for fantasy purposes.

The Dodgers designated Little for assignment Monday.

The move frees up a spot on the 40-man roster for first baseman Luken Baker, whom the Dodgers claimed off waivers from the Cardinals. Little has made two relief appearances at the big-league level this season, allowing two runs over three innings.

The Cardinals claimed Veneziano off waivers from the Marlins on Monday.

Veneziano has made 24 relief appearances in the majors this season, collecting a 4.71 ERA and 20:10 K:BB over 21 innings. He will report to Triple-A Memphis, where he will provide St. Louis with some experienced left-handed relief depth.

Rockies interim manager Warren Schaeffer said Monday that Halvorsen has been diagnosed with a mild flexor strain in his right elbow and could be activated from the 15-day injured list prior to the end of the season, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

Halvorsen was pulled after just five pitches in his relief appearance in the ninth inning of Saturday's 8-5 win over the Pirates and landed on the IL a day later. The good news for Halvorsen and the Rockies is that the 25-year-old does not have a serious injury that would have necessitated surgery, and if all goes smoothly in his recovery process, he could be back in action at some point in the next few weeks. Halvorsen has collected a 4.99 ERA, 1.56 WHIP and 36:21 K:BB across 39.2 innings this season and has converted on 11 of 14 save attempts. Schaeffer mentioned Victor Vodnik and Juan Mejia as the top candidates to close games for the Rockies while Halvorsen is on the shelf.