MLB Player News

The Rockies optioned Chivilli to Double-A Hartford on Sunday.

Chivilli was moved off the 26-man active roster to clear a spot for right-hander German Marquez (elbow), who was activated from the 60-day injured list ahead of his scheduled start Sunday versus the Mets. After being called up from Double-A on Saturday, Chivilli went unused out of the bullpen in the Rockies' 7-3 loss in the second game of the series.

Romero (4-1) allowed a hit and a walk over two-thirds of an inning without allowing a run, earning the win in Game 2 of Saturday's doubleheader versus the Cubs.

Romero was a little shaky but got the job done in the eighth inning. The Cardinals then took the lead with a two-run single by Nolan Arenado in their half of the frame to put Romero in line for the win. He hasn't been charged with a run over his last eight appearances, allowing seven hits and two walks over six innings in that span. For the season, the setup man has a 2.43 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, 34:9 K:BB, 26 holds and four blown saves across 40.2 innings.

The Dodgers optioned Vanasco to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Sunday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Vanasco will cede his spot on the 26-man active roster to right-hander Brent Honeywell, who will get the start in Sunday's series finale versus the Tigers after being claimed off waivers from the Pirates a day earlier. During his latest stint with the Dodgers, Vanasco made his lone appearance in Saturday's 11-9 extra-inning loss to the Tigers and failed to record an out while getting charged with three earned runs on three hits.

The Brewers selected Kuhnel's contract from Triple-A Nashville on Sunday, Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Milwaukee designated southpaw Dallas Keuchel for assignment to clear room on the 40-man roster and 26-man active roster for Kuhnel, who will join the Brewers for the second time this season. Kuhnel's previous stint with Milwaukee lasted just one day, as he was called up from Nashville on June 25 before being designated for assignment a day later and eventually accepting an outright assignment back to the Triple-A club.

Zastryzny will serve as the Brewers' opening pitcher for Sunday's game against the Nationals, Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Zastryzny will get the opener assignment for the second time this season, after he previously tossed a scoreless inning as a starter in his Brewers debut back on July 1 in Colorado. Colin Rea had been listed as the Brewers' scheduled starter for Sunday and will presumably be in store for his typical workload while coming out of the bullpen once Zastryzny exits the contest, likely after one or two innings.

Kerkering will serve as the Phillies' opening pitcher for Sunday's game against the Athletics, Tim Kelly of PhilliesNation.com reports.

Kerkering will be making the first start of his professional career, but the Phillies are unlikely to ask him to cover more than the opening frame or two, given that the hard-throwing reliever hasn't recorded more than five outs in any appearance this season. Though he's given up a hit in all but two of his last nine relief outings, Kerkering has struck out 10 batters and hasn't allowed a run during that stretch, bringing his ERA down to a shiny 1.30. Michael Mercado is expected to operate as a bulk reliever for the Phillies once Kerkering exits Sunday's contest.

Hodge (0-1) allowed two runs on two hits across 1.2 innings of relief to take the loss in the second game of Saturday's doubleheader against the Cardinals. He walked one and struck out two.

Hodge allowed his first runs since June 6, a streak of seven appearances and 10 innings. The righty has been scored upon only twice this year in 14 appearances overall, and he has a solid 2.16 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 18 strikeouts across 16.2 innings. Veteran Hector Neris is first in line for saves at the moment, but Hodge may be next up if Neris struggles or gets hurt.

Helsley recorded his 32nd save of the season Saturday, giving up a hit and striking out one in a scoreless ninth inning during the second game of a doubleheader sweep of the Cubs.

After blowing a save July 5, Helsley got an extended rest and bounced back with a strong performance. The right-hander has hardly been struggling lately though -- he's allowed earned runs in only one of his last 12 appearances, posting a 1.38 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 16:9 K:BB over 13 innings during that stretch. Helsley's 32 saves leads the majors, three clear of the Guardians' Emmanuel Clase, and that impressive first half has earned him his second career All-Star Game berth.

Castro allowed one hit and struck out one over a scoreless inning in Saturday's 12-1 win over the Blue Jays.

Castro made his first appearance since being activated off the injured list Thursday. He pitched a scoreless eighth inning with the Diamondbacks ahead 8-1. Castro had missed nearly three months with shoulder inflammation.

Nunez earned a save against the Rockies on Saturday, striking out three batters over two perfect frames.

Nunez entered in the eighth inning in a tight situation with New York up one run and runners on first and second base with no outs. He induced a double play and a foul out to impressively escape the jam, then watched the Mets score three times in the bottom of the frame. The right-hander returned for the ninth and struck out all three batters he faced to cap his first big-league save. Nunez isn't likely to see many more save opportunities with Edwin Diaz established as New York's closer, but the rookie has nonetheless worked his way up to high-leverage work with an impressive campaign during which he's recorded a 2.35 ERA, 0.82 WHIP and 39:5 K:BB through 30.2 frames. In addition to Saturday's save, he's registered seven holds and two wins through 21 outings.