MLB Player News

Roycroft (1-2) allowed an unearned run on one walk over two-thirds of an inning, taking the loss in the first game of Saturday's doubleheader versus Atlanta.

Roycroft has yielded five runs (four earned) over his last four appearances. He gave up a walk-off sacrifice fly to get stuck with a 3-2 loss in the 10th inning of Saturday's day game. The right-hander continues to see mostly low-leverage work for the Cardinals, pitching to a 3.52 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 21:10 K:BB over 23 innings.

The Cardinals optioned Leahy to Triple-A Memphis on Sunday.

Leahy served as the 27th man for Saturday's doubleheader with the Atlanta and was called upon out of the bullpen in the second game. He delivered two scoreless innings to finish out the Cardinals' 9-5 win, notching his first MLB save in the process. Though he'll head back to Triple-A, Leahy should rank near the top of the list for a call-up the next time the Cardinals are in need of an extra relief arm.

The Brewers designated Kuhnel for assignment Sunday, Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Though Kuhnel has a minor-league option remaining, the Brewers opted to move him off their 40-man roster to open up a spot in the bullpen for lefty Jared Koenig (elbow), who was reinstated from the 15-day injured list in a corresponding move. Kuhnel has now been DFA'd by the Brewers on two occasions since he signed a minor-league deal with the organization in June. He didn't make any appearances out of the Milwaukee bullpen after being called up from Triple-A Nashville last Sunday.

The Brewers reinstated Koenig (elbow) from the 15-day injured list Sunday, Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Reliever Joel Kuhnel was designated for assignment to make room in the bullpen and on the 26-man roster for Koenig, who landed on the IL on June 29 with left elbow tendinitis. The 30-year-old southpaw had been a dependable relief arm for Milwaukee prior to being deactivated, turning in a 1.66 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 36:11 K:BB over 38 innings.

Vodnik picked up the save over the Giants on Saturday, pitching a perfect ninth inning while striking out one.

Vodnik was tasked with protecting a one-run lead in the top of the ninth, and the right-hander did not disappoint, going 1-2-3 through the middle of San Francisco's lineup to secure his third save of the campaign. Vodnik has now converted each of his three save opportunities this month after blowing two save chances in the latter part of June. He's also posted at least one strikeout in 12 straight appearances.

Smyly tossed two scoreless innings of relief in Saturday's 3-0 loss to the Diamondbacks. He allowed a hit and struck out one.

Smyly continues to pitch well for the Cubs in a long-relief role, as he's allowed just one run this month in six appearances. Overall, the veteran lefty has lowered his ERA to 2.92, which would be the second-lowest mark of his 11-year MLB career. Chicago seems content to keep Smyly in the bullpen, though fifth starter Kyle Hendricks has a 6.69 ERA and could get bumped from the rotation if the team decides to mix things up at some point.

Ortiz (5-2) picked up the win Saturday, allowing three hits and two walks over seven scoreless innings in a 4-1 victory over the Phillies. He struck out two.

The right-hander continued an impressive stretch that has seen him give up only three runs in 26.2 innings over his last five appearances (four starts) with a 23:3 K:BB. Ortiz may not be able to hang onto a rotation spot once Jared Jones (lat) gets healthy no matter how well he does, but he's making a strong case to be in the Pirates' long-term pitching plans. Ortiz will take a 2.57 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 59:21 K:BB through 73.2 innings this season into his next outing, which is scheduled to come on the road next weekend in Arizona.

Diaz struck out one in a perfect ninth inning Saturday to record his 11th save of the season in a 1-0 win over the Marlins.

He closed out the combined shutout on 12 pitches (nine strikes), with his fastball topping out at 98.5 mph. Diaz appears to be back in nearly peak form -- he hasn't given up a run in eight appearances since coming off the IL in mid-June, piling up six saves and two wins with a 0.78 WHIP and 8:3 K:BB over 7.2 innings during that stretch.

Ginkel did not allow a hit or walk over a scoreless inning to earn a hold in Saturday's 3-0 win over the Cubs.

Ginkel hurled a 1-2-3 sixth inning to claim his eighth hold. He entered earlier than normal and was the first of four relievers to throw a scoreless frame after starter Zac Gallen grinded through five scoreless innings on102 pitches. Following a rough stretch in May, Ginkel has been an effective arm; the right-hander has a 0.78 ERA and has allowed just two walks over his last 23 innings (22 appearances).

Leahy recorded his first career save in the second game of Saturday's doubleheader split with Atlanta, giving up a hit and striking out two over two scoreless innings.

The 27-year-old righty was called up to be the 27th man for the twin bill, and he surprisingly got the nod in a high-leverage spot with St. Louis winning 6-5 in the eighth inning. When the Cards tacked on three more runs in the top of the ninth. manager Oliver Marmol elected to leave Leahy on the mound to clean things up. He hasn't pitched poorly during his time on the big-league roster this season, posting a 3.90 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 22:7 K:BB through 32.1 innings over 19 appearances, but Leahy's likely headed back to Triple-A Memphis despite this performance.