MLB Player News

The Cardinals traded Helsley to the Mets on Wednesday in exchange for Jesus Baez, Nate Dohm and Frank Elissalt, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

After making a move for Tyler Rogers earlier in the day, the Mets will bring in another quality high-leverage arm in Helsley, who currently boasts a 3.00 ERA through 36 innings and has notched 21 saves this season. With Edwin Diaz already firmly established as the Mets' closer, Helsley will likely join Rogers in working as a setup man in Queens.

Alvarez (head) passed the concussion protocol Wednesday and will fly back with the team to New York, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Alvarez left in the sixth inning of Wednesday's 5-0 loss to the Padres after a foul tip deflected off his catcher's helmet. He was able to avoid a concussion diagnosis, and with the Mets off Thursday, he could be back in the lineup for Friday's weekend series opener against the Giants.

The Twins traded Duran to the Phillies on Wednesday in exchange for Eduardo Tait and Mick Abel, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.

The Phillies make a huge addition to their bullpen by acquiring Duran, who owns a 2.01 ERA and 1.18 WHIP alongside a 53:18 K:BB through 49.1 innings and has collected 16 saves so far this year. The 27-year-old flamethrower will most likely take over as Philadelphia's primary closer, moving Matt Strahm and Orion Kerkering into setup roles.

The Giants designated Hjelle for assignment Wednesday.

The move is part of the Giants' trade of Tyler Rogers to the Mets in exchange for Blade Tidwell, Drew Gilbert and Jose Butto. Hjelle has pitched well with Triple-A Sacramento and has a 2.90 ERA and 1.15 WHIP across 40.1 innings, but he has failed to translate that success to the majors, where he's posted a 7.80 ERA and 2.00 WHIP over 15 innings.

Alvarez was removed from Wednesday's game against the Padres after getting hit in the head by a foul ball in the fifth inning, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Alvarez managed to finish the inning after the foul tip deflected off his catcher's helmet, but he didn't come back out on defense for the start of the sixth. The Mets will likely evaluate him for a concussion and may offer an update on his status shortly. Meanwhile, Luis Torrens stands to benefit from increased playing time behind the plate.

Manager Dave Roberts said Wednesday that May will work out of the bullpen going forward and will be available as a multi-inning reliever Friday against the Rays, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports.

The right-hander worked behind Shohei Ohtani as a bulk reliever last week and will now be making the full shift to the bullpen. May has otherwise exclusively worked as a traditional starter this season, and his performance in his first year back from flexor tendon and UCL revision surgery has been underwhelming with a 4.85 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 97:43 K:BB across 104 innings.

Winn is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Marlins.

With a team off day on tap Thursday, the Cardinals will hold Winn out of the lineup for the series finale Wednesday to effectively give him a two-day break. Thomas Saggese steps in at shortstop in place of Winn, who had started in each of the Cardinals' first 12 games of the second half while slashing .378/.391/.467 with zero home runs, one steal, seven RBI and three runs.

Pages is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Marlins.

Pages will get a breather for the series finale while Yohel Pozo receives a turn at catcher Wednesday. Though the Cardinals appear to have ruled out Ivan Herrera from playing behind the plate anytime soon, Pages' grasp on the No. 1 catcher role appears to be slipping. He's getting on base at a .147 clip and hasn't produced an extra-base hit in 10 games since the All-Star break, with his offensive struggles opening the door for Pozo to pick up more playing time.

Hicks is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Cardinals.

Hicks will head to the bench for the series finale in St. Louis after he went hitless with five strikeouts in 12 at-bats while starting in each of the previous three contests. With Hicks sitting out Wednesday, Agustin Ramirez will start at catcher and Kyle Stowers will serve as Miami's designated hitter.

Wagaman is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Cardinals.

Wagaman is on the bench against a right-handed starter (Miles Mikolas) for the second day in a row and for the third time in the last four games. Dating back to the start of July, Wagaman has contributed a lowly .431 OPS in 20 games, and his poor stretch of production appears to have cost him his role as the Marlins' everyday first baseman. The right-handed-hitting Wagaman could have to settle for the short side of a platoon at first base with the lefty-hitting Troy Johnston, who will get a second straight start following his promotion from Triple-A Jacksonville on Tuesday.