MLB Player News

Diaz struck out the only batter he faced Tuesday to record his ninth save of the season in a 7-5 win over the Nationals.

The Mets took a 7-2 lead into the ninth inning, but Reed Garrett made a mess of things and forced manager Carlos Mendoza to turn to his closer with two outs and a runner on first base. Diaz actually allowed the inherited runner to score after Jacob Young took second on defensive indifference and then raced around the bases on a wild pitch, but the right-hander fanned CJ Abrams to end the game. Diaz has gone six straight appearances since returning from his suspension without having a run charged to his own ledger, collecting two wins and four saves during that stretch with a 6:1 K:BB.

Bird (groin) was sent to Triple-A Albuquerque on Tuesday to begin a rehab assignment.

Bird has been out since late June with a groin strain, but he resumed throwing a few days ago and is now ready to test things out in a game setting. The reliever shouldn't need many rehab appearances since he hasn't missed much time, but with the All-Star break looming the Rockies could choose to hold him out until the second half.

Rogers (shoulder) was sent to the Rockies' Arizona Complex League affiliate Tuesday to begin a rehab assignment.

Rogers has been sidelined since mid-June with a left rotator cuff strain but has been cleared to pitch in games again. He should be ready to return shortly after the All-Star break, although Rogers wouldn't seem to be a given to rejoin the big-league roster at that point.

The Cardinals are expected to recall Graceffo from Triple-A Memphis to make his first major-league start in the second game of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Royals, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

Sonny Gray is on turn for St. Louis, but the club will push him back for Friday's matchup versus the Cubs. Graceffo will serve as the 27th man for the Cardinals and will be returned to Memphis after the spot start. The right-hander pitched well in long relief in his major-league debut last month, allowing one run with a 4:2 K:BB over 4.1 innings against the Reds. Graceffo holds a 2.22 ERA and 26:10 K:BB in 28.1 frames with Memphis since the beginning of June.

Peralta was removed from Tuesday's game against the Mariners due to an apparent groin injury, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

Peralta winced and grabbed at his groin immediately after making a pitch in the ninth inning of Tuesday's contest, resulting in him exiting alongside a trainer. He'll presumably undergo imaging in the Padres' clubhouse to determine the nature/severity of his injury, and the team should provide an update shortly after the game.

The Rays traded Maton to the Mets on Tuesday in exchange for a player to be named later or cash.

In 40 appearances with the Rays, Maton has posted a 4.58 ERA and 1.33 WHIP over 35.1 innings -- a considerable step back from his 3.00 ERA and 1.12 WHIP in 2023. He'll now head to New York in order to add depth to the Mets' bullpen and will likely remain in a middle-relief role. Joey Lucchesi was designated for assignment in order to free up a spot on the 40-man roster.

The Dodgers recalled Petersen from Triple-A Oklahoma City on Tuesday, Kirsten Watson of Spectrum SportsNet LA reports.

Petersen was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Thursday after allowing five earned runs across 9.2 innings across six appearances, but he's been summoned with the Dodgers in need of a fresh bullpen arm. His return coincides with Tyler Glasnow (back) landing on the injured list.

The Cubs activated Leiter (forearm) from the 15-day injured list Tuesday, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Following Leiter's live batting practice session Saturday, manager Craig Counsell said he would be activated during the Cubs' upcoming series at Baltimore. The right-hander was on the injured list due to a right forearm strain and is now set to make his return after landing on the IL on June 23. In a corresponding move, Ethan Roberts was optioned to Triple-A Iowa.

The Cubs optioned Roberts to Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

The move is to make room on the 26-man roster for Mark Leiter (forearm), who was reinstated from the 15-day injured list. Roberts made three appearances out of the Cubs' bullpen since being called up from Iowa on June 28, allowing five hits and two walks while striking out three over four scoreless innings. Roberts hasn't allowed an earned run over 13.1 innings in Triple-A this season, and the 27-year-old right-hander should be in line for another call-up this season should the Cubs need help out of their bullpen.

The Reds optioned Zulueta to Triple-A Louisville on Tuesday.

Zulueta was called up by Cincinnati on Monday and will return to the minors after he delivered a scoreless inning against the Rockies. The 26-year-old has pitched well in his first two big-league appearances this season with one earned run allowed and a 4:2 K:BB over four innings.