MLB Player News

Sewald picked up the save Monday against the Astros after tossing a scoreless inning, fanning one.

Sewald had to protect a three-run lead in the ninth, and he was extremely efficient -- he needed just 13 pitches (eight strikes) to close things out. Sewald has now gone 4-for-5 in save chances this year and has also tossed three straight scoreless outings. The Mariners have been flexible this season with their closing situation, mixing and matching save opportunities, but Sewald might remain the team's second-best ninth-inning option behind Kendall Graveman.

Graveman (4-0) earned the win in relief Monday against the Astros after hurling a scoreless inning, walking one and striking out two.

Graveman entered the seventh inning with the Mariners down by a run, and he needed just 16 pitches (nine strikes) to get the job done en route to his 12th straight outing without allowing an earned run. The right-hander has been one of the best relievers in the American League this year and owns a career-best 0.82 ERA through 30 games (33 innings) in 2021.

McCaughan was charged with seven runs on eight hits and a walk while striking out two across four innings in his start Monday against the Astros. He didn't factor into the decision in the Mariners' 11-8 come-from-behind victory.

After tossing five innings of one-run ball as a primary pitcher out of the bullpen in his MLB debut July 21 in Colorado, McCaughan stepped into a traditional starting role Monday. The 25-year-old righty immediately put the Mariners in a big hole, as he allowed four consecutive batters to reach base after recording the first out of the inning, then served up back-to-back home runs to Kyle Tucker and Abraham Toro. Aside from allowing another solo shot to Martin Maldonado, McCaughan mostly recovered from the rough first inning, and he was spared the loss after the Mariners overcame their largest deficit of the season. Seattle hasn't decided whether McCaughan will pick up another start, but he could be at risk of losing his spot in the rotation since Hector Santiago was activated Tuesday after completing a 10-game suspension.

The Marlins outrighted Bellatti to Triple-A Jacksonville on Monday.

Miami exposed Bellatti to waivers after designating him for assignment over the weekend, and given his status as a 29-year-old journeyman reliever, he unsurprisingly went unclaimed by MLB's other 29 organizations. Bellatti will thus head back to Jacksonville after a brief cameo out of the Miami bullpen -- his first big-league action since 2015. He appeared in two games for the Marlins, giving up five earned runs on six hits and one walk over 2.1 innings.

Kimbrel (2-3) earned the win Monday against the Reds after tossing a scoreless ninth inning, allowing one hit and one walk while fanning three.

Kimbrel pitched the top of the ninth when the game was tied 5-5, and while he allowed two baserunners, he also struck out the side and set the stage for the Cubs' comeback in the bottom of the ninth. Kimbrel has now gone 23 straight appearances without giving up an earned run, and his ERA stands at a minuscule 0.49, accompanied by an equally impressive 0.71 WHIP.

The Padres activated Ramirez (shoulder) from the 10-day injured list Monday and optioned him to Triple-A El Paso.

The transaction clears a spot on the active roster for infielder Adam Frazier, whom the team officially acquired Monday in a trade with the Pirates. Ramirez was placed on the IL on July 8 with left rotator cuff inflammation, but he was cleared to begin a rehab assignment at El Paso last week and appears to be fully healthy.

The Orioles assigned Zimmermann (biceps) to the rookie-level Florida Complex League on Monday to begin a rehab program.

Zimmermann looks to be ready for game action after being shut down for just over a month with left biceps tendinitis. The rookie southpaw will most likely require at least two rehab outings in the minors to ramp up for his pitch count, making mid-to-late August a reasonable estimate for his return to Baltimore's rotation. Before hitting the injured list, Zimmermann went 4-4 with a 4.83 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and a 53:20 K:BB across 59.2 innings with the Orioles.

Barlow allowed a run on two hits in two innings to earn the save in Monday's 4-3 win over the White Sox.

The right-hander was called upon to pitch the eighth inning and remained in the game for the ninth. He allowed a ground-rule double to Yoan Moncada, who scored on Adam Engel's RBI single, but Barlow was able to induce a game-ending double play from Brian Goodwin to protect the lead. This was Barlow's second save in his last three appearances; he and Greg Holland seem to be manager Mike Matheny's favorites in Kansas City's closer committee for now. Barlow owns a 2.76 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 63:20 K:BB across 49 innings.

The Mariners reinstated Santiago to the active roster Tuesday after he completed his 10-game suspension.

Santiago's suspension stemmed from his ejection in a June 26 appearance versus the White Sox after officials spotted a foreign substance on his glove. Before his suspension went into effect July 15, Santiago had been working as a starter for Seattle, but it's unclear whether he'll now slot back into a starting role or move to the bullpen. If the Mariners do decide to deploy Santiago in the rotation, he would likely replace Darren McCaughan, who was touched up for seven runs in four innings in the Mariners' come-from-behind victory Monday.

Atlanta optioned Wilson to Triple-A Gwinnett on Tuesday.

For the second time in less than a week, Wilson will be sent back to Triple-A after being called up the prior day to start the second game of a doubleheader. His latest outing went better than his first, as held the Mets scoreless over three frames Monday while striking out two and allowing six baserunners in a no-decision.