MLB Player News

The Giants optioned Bivens to Triple-A Sacramento on Saturday.

Bivens will head back to the minors after giving up eight earned runs in just three innings across his two appearances following his call-up Tuesday. Seth Lonsway will come up from Triple-A to fill the opening in the Giants' pitching staff.

The Cardinals designated Ferguson for assignment Saturday.

Ferguson joined the Cardinals at the trade deadline, but he'll now lose his place on both the active and 40-man rosters after giving up eight earned runs in just 8.1 innings with his new team. Brycen Mautz will come up from Memphis to fill the void in St. Louis' bullpen.

The Cardinals recalled Mautz from Triple-A Memphis on Saturday.

Mautz pitched three innings out of the bullpen during his lone MLB appearance this season, giving up two earned runs on four hits and two walks while fanning two batters May 25. He has since transitioned to working as more of a traditional reliever at Memphis and figures to continue doing so now that he's back with the parent club. Caleb Ferguson was designated for assignment in a corresponding move.

The Marlins optioned Monteverde to Triple-A Jacksonville on Saturday.

Monteverde gave up four runs while pitching four innings out of the bullpen Friday. He'll now move back to the minors so the Marlins can add a fresh arm to their staff in the form of Wikelman Gonzalez.

The Red Sox added Burgos to the active roster as the 27th man for Saturday's doubleheader against the Yankees.

Burgos will return to the big leagues to add depth to Boston's bullpen as it prepares to play two games against the Yankees. The 27-year-old southpaw has given up just three runs in 10 innings with the big club this year but will likely head back to Triple-A at the end of the day.

The Red Sox optioned Olds to Triple-A Worcester on Saturday.

Olds fired six shutout innings after being promoted from Triple-A on Aug. 17, but he'll end up as the roster casualty required to make room for Garrett Whitlock (elbow), who returned from the IL on Saturday. Olds owns a 5.33 ERA and 1.33 WHIP across 50.2 innings at Worcester this season, but his strong first impression with the Red Sox could keep him in consideration for another promotion down the stretch if the big club's bullpen depth is tested again.

The Red Sox reinstated Whitlock (elbow) from the injured list Saturday.

Whitlock will return to Boston's bullpen after spending close to the minimum amount of time on the injured list due to right elbow inflammation. The 30-year-old reliever never made any rehab appearances in the minors but still figures to immediately slot back in as the Red Sox's top setup man for closer Aroldis Chapman. Wyatt Olds was optioned to Triple-A in a corresponding move.

Stanek struck out two in a perfect ninth inning to earn the save in Friday's 4-1 win over the Pirates.

Stanek secured his second save of the season in dominant fashion, fanning two of the three batters he faced while tossing seven of his 12 pitches for strikes. Riley O'Brien remains the Cardinals' primary closer with 34 saves, so Stanek's path to regular save chances would seem blocked. Friday's outing shows Stanek is capable of handling the ninth when O'Brien is unavailable.

Hudson allowed two hits and struck out one in a scoreless ninth inning to earn the save in Friday's 7-4 win over Minnesota.

Hudson entered the ninth inning with a three-run lead, and while he gave up two hits to the first three batters he faced, he ultimately closed the door to earn his sixth save of the season. The southpaw has gone 3-for-4 in save chances while recording four holds with a 14:1 K:BB in 15 innings and 16 outings since the All-Star break. Grant Taylor earned the win Friday after pitching 2.2 scoreless innings in relief, setting up the save for Hudson. Taylor's usage shows that he will not be confined exclusively to the ninth inning, so there may be additional save opportunities for Hudson down the stretch.

Taylor (7-2) earned the win Friday against the Twins after pitching 2.2 scoreless innings in relief, allowing one hit and striking out three without a walk.

Taylor took over with two outs in the sixth inning and protected Chicago's 6-4 advantage through the end of the eighth, allowing just one baserunner during his 2.2 innings of work while tossing 20 of his 27 pitches for strikes. The right-hander lowered his ERA to 2.03 with this outing, and he extended an outstanding stretch that has seen him give up just one earned run across 22.2 innings, good for a pristine 0.40 ERA, in 16 outings since the All-Star break. He's also gone 4-for-7 in save opportunities in that span, but his usage earlier in the game afforded Bryan Hudson the save chance Friday.