MLB Player News

Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said Monday that Liberatore is unlikely to start Saturday versus the Cubs, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

The Cards have gone back and forth on the best role for Liberatore, and the team's brain trust seems to have now settled on deploying the young left-hander out of the bullpen, where he had some success early on in the season. Andre Pallante and Zack Thompson are considered the leading candidates to start Saturday.

Banda (1-0) was the pitcher of record in Sunday's 3-2 extra-inning win over the Reds, striking out one batter in a perfect inning of relief.

After being acquired in a trade with Cleveland on Friday, Banda was brought up to Los Angeles on Sunday and was asked to keep the Reds offense at bay in the top of the 10th inning. The southpaw was successful in doing so, keeping the automatic runner from coming home in a nine-pitch frame. Banda bounced between six teams over the past four campaigns and hasn't yet shown an extended run of MLB success, so he's likely to work primarily in lower-leverage spots with the Dodgers for the time being.

Vieira was designated for assignment by the Brewers on Monday.

Vieira has fanned 25 batters over his 22.1 innings this season, but he's also walked 13 and posted a 5.64 ERA and 1.70 WHIP. The 31-year-old has a big arm, so it's possible he'll draw interest from a team that thinks it might be able to fix him.

The Cardinals optioned Roycroft to Triple-A Memphis on Monday.

Roycroft threw 36 pitches and allowed three runs over an inning of work Sunday, so he'll be sent out in favor of a fresh relief arm. Ryan Loutos will absorb his roster spot.

The Mets optioned Hartwig to Triple-A Syracuse on Monday.

Hartwig's latest stint in the big leagues lasted less than a week, and he allowed four runs (three earned) over 3.2 relief innings. He's clearing out to make room for Tylor Megill's return from the injured list.

The Dodgers acquired Ramirez from the Mets on Monday for cash considerations, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Ramirez continues to bounce around, as he'll join his third organization since April following two stints with the Mets and one with the Orioles. He's out of options, so the reliever must join the Dodgers' active roster. He's allowed 11 runs over 14.1 relief innings in the majors this season.

The Padres recalled Gillaspie from Triple-A El Paso on Monday.

He will serve as the 27th man for Monday's doubleheader in Atlanta. Gillaspie, 27, struck out the only two batters he faced in his lone appearance with the big club earlier this season.

Atlanta recalled Hernandez from Triple-A Gwinnett on Monday.

He will serve as the 27th man for Monday's doubleheader against the Padres. Hernandez, 27, holds a 1.65 ERA and 22:9 K:BB across 16.1 innings this season at Gwinnett. He got into four games with Atlanta last season, allowing three runs in 3.2 frames.

Sewald secured the save Sunday against the Tigers by working a perfect ninth inning. He struck out one.

Sewald needed just 10 pitches to get the job done and picked up a strikeout against Spencer Torkelson in the process. He's now converted all three of his save chances on the year and has tossed four straight scoreless innings while giving up just one hit since yielding a run in his season debut May 7.

Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol conceded after Liberatore's start Sunday versus the Red Sox that the team is now considering moving the lefty back to the bullpen, Lynn Worthy of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Marmol had said previously that the club wanted to commit to Liberatore's role, which it did Friday in saying the southpaw would start Sunday and remain in the rotation indefinitely. However, following another unsuccessful, abbreviated start (three-plus innings, four runs), the Cards are now reconsidering the plan for Liberatore. If Liberatore does return to a relief role -- which would appear likely at this point -- it's not clear who St. Louis would slide into the rotation in his place.