MLB Player News

Palencia gave up a hit in a scoreless ninth inning Friday to record his 15th save of the season in a 1-0 win over the Orioles.

The right-hander needed only nine pitches (six strikes) to get the job done, but he came close to blowing the save, as a two-out double by Adley Rutschman was followed by a deep fly from Tyler O'Neill that backed Ian Happ up to the ivy at Wrigley Field for the final out. Palencia hasn't given up an earned run since June 21, posting a 0.00 ERA, 0.60 WHIP and 12:1 K:BB in 11.2 innings over his last 12 appearances while converting eight save chances.

DeSclafani will start Friday's game against the Athletics, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.

DeSclafani has pitched well for Arizona since signing with the team in mid-June, posting a 3.86 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 24:6 K:BB in 23.1 innings, and he will be rewarded with his second start of the campaign in Friday's series opener. He could end up sticking in the rotation after the Diamondbacks traded Merrill Kelly to Texas on Thursday. DeSclafani has a long injury history, most recently battling a flexor tendon injury that cost him all of 2024.

The Marlins designated Veneziano for assignment Friday.

The left-hander has been at Triple-A Jacksonville since mid-June and has now lost his place on the 40-man roster. Veneziano posted a 4.71 ERA in 24 appearances while up with the Marlins and has a 7.07 ERA with Jacksonville this year, so he seems unlikely to generate much interest on waivers.

Pagan gave up two runs on two hits and a walk in the ninth inning Friday to record his 23rd save of the season in a 3-2 win over Atlanta. He struck out one.

The veteran righty almost blew a three-run lead, allowing the first three batters to reach base and watching two of them come around to score before Pagan got Jurickson Profar to ground out and end the game. Pagan has been tagged for four runs (three earned) over his last three appearances, his worst stretch since mid-May, but on the season he still sports a 3.04 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and 55:16 K:BB through 47.1 innings while converting 23 of his 26 save chances.

The Phillies placed Robert on the 15-day injured list Friday, retroactive to July 30, due to a right middle finger blister.

Robert presumably suffered the injury while pitching against the White Sox on Monday, when he gave up three runs over one inning. The right-hander will be eligible to be activated in mid-August but is without an official timeline for his return.

The Diamondbacks optioned Garcia to Triple-A Reno on Friday.

The left-hander was called up by Arizona in late June after being acquired from Seattle in the Josh Naylor trade, and Garcia will head to Reno after giving up three runs over 1.1 frames in two appearances with the Diamondbacks. Garcia could receive another look in the big leagues down the stretch but will return to Triple-A for now.

The Diamondbacks reinstated Beeks (back) from the 15-day injured list Friday.

The left-hander landed on the shelf July 11 due to back inflammation but is ready to rejoin the Diamondbacks after one rehab outing with Triple-A Reno. Beeks has a 4.39 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 39:15 K:BB across 41 innings this season and should fill a high-leverage role for Arizona.

The Nationals recalled Ribalta from Triple-A Rochester on Friday.

The right-hander is back in the majors to fill out Washington's bullpen after the trade deadline. Ribalta has given up five earned runs with a 6:4 K:BB over 7.2 frames in the majors this season.

The Nationals recalled Loutos from Triple-A Rochester on Friday.

The right-hander was optioned to Rochester in early July and is back with the Nationals after Thursday's trade deadline. Loutos has an 11.32 ERA, 2.13 WHIP and 6:8 K:BB over 10.1 innings between the Dodgers and Nationals this season.

Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak indicated Thursday that Romero is the top candidate to take over the team's closer role following the trade of Ryan Helsley, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

Manager Oliver Marmol has the ultimate say, and it's possible he'll have a difference of opinion than Mozeliak, but Romero is the most logical candidate to see save chances after the departure of Helsley and Phil Maton. Romero has been the club's top left-handed setup man for most of the season and has permitted only one earned run with a 28:8 K:BB over 25 innings since the start of May. Riley O'Brien and Kyle Leahy could be the top options from the right side for save opportunities if Marmol wants to play matchups.