MLB Player News

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.

Pagan felt discomfort in his right triceps, which forced him to leave Sunday's game against the Dodgers, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports

Pagan noted he did not feel anything until his final pitch and said it wasn't a sharp pain or a grab. The right-hander was examined by a Dodgers team doctor, who ran the reliever through some tests that left the Reds optimistic the injury is not a serious one. Pagan is expected to be seen by his own team's doctors Monday.

Manager Torey Lovullo said Mantiply will serve as the Diamondbacks' opening pitcher for Monday's game against the Dodgers, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports.

The left-handed Mantiply has limited opposing lefties to a .275 wOBA over his career, so the Diamondbacks will likely hope that he can limit the damage from the Dodgers' usual Nos. 2 and 3 hitters -- left-handed batters Shohei Ohtani and Freddie Freeman -- before he turns the game over to the bullpen. Monday had been Slade Cecconi's turn in the rotation, and the expectation is that he'll work behind Mantiply in bulk relief.

Diaz (1-3) took the loss in 10 innings Sunday against the Dodgers, allowing an unearned run on one hit and a walk over an inning of work. He also struck out a batter.

Diaz struck out Jason Heyward in the ninth to send the game into an extra frame. He was an out away from getting through the 10th, but Shohei Ohtani laced a base hit to right that scored Heyward to end the game. Diaz has now given up five total runs on four hits over his last 2.1 innings, which has also come with two losses and a blown save. He's given up nine runs in 4.2 innings in May. Despite the struggles, manager David Bell has not made any public comments about a possible closer change, suggesting Diaz's job is save for now. He now owns a 7.02 ERA, 1.68 WHIP and 17:13 K:BB in 16.2 innings.

Duran (0-2) took the loss Sunday against the Guardians, giving up a game-ending home run in the bottom of the ninth inning. He allowed three runs on one hit and two walks with no strikeouts in two-thirds of an inning.

It was the second home run that Duran allowed in the late innings in a tied game in the three-game series during which the Twins were swept. Duran hadn't walked a batter in eight innings before Sunday, so this is probably a minor setback. The bigger worry for fantasy managers is that he's been used in the eighth inning against the heart of the opposing team's order several times since his return from the injured list, ceding the save chance to another arm (usually Griffin Jax) in the bullpen. While Duran as the top choice for saves, Twins manager Rocco Baldelli isn't afraid to use him earlier in games or in tied games on the road.

Romano picked up a save Sunday against Tampa Bay, striking out the only batter he faced during the 5-2 win.

Romano was pushed into the save chance after Zach Pop surrendered a two-run home run and then gave up a single to Richie Palacios with two outs in the ninth. Romano got Jonny DeLuca to go down swinging to close out the victory and notch his seventh save of the campaign. Across 11.0 innings, Romano owns a 4.91 ERA with one blown save and a 10:3 K:BB.

Garrett earned the save Sunday against Miami, allowing one hit and no walks with four strikeouts over two scoreless innings.

Garrett took the ball in the eighth with the Mets leading 4-3 and, after striking out the side and getting four runs of support, stayed out to complete the ninth. It's unclear if Garrett would still have gotten the save chance if New York didn't extend its lead, but he's still a candidate for saves moving forward with Edwin Diaz moving out of the closer role temporarily to get back on track.

Sanchez (0-2) took the loss Sunday against the Mets, allowing four runs on six hits and two walks across four innings. He struck out two.

All four runs against Sanchez came in the first inning, when he walked two batters, hit another and allowed three hits. Sanchez threw 85 pitches, a step up after tossing 81 pitches in his last start. He's made five straight starts but is still in the process of being stretched out, and he has yet to complete five innings. Although Edward Cabrera (shoulder) started throwing off a mound Friday, Sanchez should get another turn in the rotation, which is scheduled for Saturday at Arizona.

Kimbrel pitched a clean ninth inning, striking out two to pick up a save Sunday against the Mariners.

It appears Kimbrel has found his groove again, and he was rewarded with a save opportunity while posting his fourth consecutive appearance without allowing a hit or a walk. It was the first save since May 3 for Kimbrel, who had posted a 16.20 ERA and 4.50 WHIP over 3.1 innings in the six outings prior to this most recent four-game stretch.

Doval struck out one in a perfect inning to earn the save in Sunday's 4-1 win over the Rockies.

Doval extended his scoreless streak to 4.1 innings. He needed 17 pitches (10 strikes) Sunday, but he was able to emerge with his eighth save in as many chances this season. The closer has a 3.00 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 24:12 K:BB over 18 innings and has also posted a 2-0 record this season. The Giants haven't generated a ton of save opportunities, but Doval has been strong when called upon.