Latest news with #reliefpitcher
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3 days ago
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Cardinals claim Jorge Alcala
Cardinals claim Jorge Alcala originally appeared on The Sporting News Despite trading away three of their top relief pitchers at the trade deadline, the St. Louis Cardinals have added an arm they believe can give them depth, via John Denton. That arm is Jorge Alcala, who was recently DFA'd by the Boston Red Sox after a struggling season. This year, Alcala has appeared in 41 games, compiling a 6.64 ERA across 40.2 innings of work. He has exciting stuff, like his ability to throw a fastball above 100 mph, but his walk rate has always held him back. Alcala currently sits with a 12.1% walk rate this season, which is not ideal for relievers. That does not compare to some other relievers in the league, like Emmanuel Clase's 6% walk rate or Josh Hader's 7.6%. Alcala made his MLB debut back in 2019 as a member of the Minnesota Twins. He stayed with the organization until earlier this year when he was flipped to the Boston Red Sox. The hard-throwing righty will earn $1.5 million this season, and if he does well enough, he can be retained for the 2026 season via arbitration. However, that is not the only relief pitcher that the Cardinals have brought in recently. St. Louis was also able to grab Anthony Veneziano from the Miami Marlins a few days ago. Veneziano appeared in 24 games for the Marlins this year, compiling a 4.74 ERA across 21 innings pitched. For now, Veneziano will make relief appearances in Triple-A, with JoJo Romero being the only left-handed relief pitcher on the big league roster after John King's trip to the 15-day IL with an oblique strain.
Yahoo
31-07-2025
- Sport
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Mets acquire closer Ryan Helsley from Cardinals: Trade details
The New York Mets have landed perhaps the most coveted relief pitcher on the market as the MLB trade deadline draws near. The St. Louis Cardinals have traded right-hander Ryan Helsley to the Mets in exchange for prospects Jesus Baez, Nate Dohm and Frank Elissalt, the Mets announced. Helsley first took over closing duties in St. Louis in 2022 and has enjoyed a highly successful run in the role, racking up a major league-leading 49 saves last season while pitching to an ERA of 2.04. He has endured some rocky outings this season, however, as the Cardinals have faded from the playoff picture. He has 21 saves and a 3.00 ERA on the season, but has been much better over the past six weeks. Since June 15, Helsley has allowed only one run in his last 11 innings. Ryan Helsley trade details The Cardinals trade RP Ryan Helsley to the Mets for Jesus Baez, Nate Dohm and Frank Elissalt. Baez, an infielder, is the Mets' eighth-ranked prospect. Dohm and Elissalt are both right-handed pitchers, the former the Mets' 14th-ranked prospect. Ryan Helsley stats This season, Helsley has converted 21 of 26 save opportunities with a 3.00 ERA and 1.39 WHIP in 36 innings. He also has struck out 10.3 batters per nine innings. Ryan Helsley contract details Helsley, 31, is in his final year of arbitration with the Cardinals, making him a free agent for the first time in his career at the end of the season. He is currently making $8.2 million this season. Cardinals depth chart update With Helsley moving on, the Cardinals could turn to veteran right-hander Phil Maton or left-hander JoJo Romero to close out games. Mets depth chart update The arrival of Helsley will give Mets manager Carlos Mendoza a plethora of different high-leverage options late in games without taxing his bullpen down the stretch. The Mets have a pair of capable closers (Helsley and Edwin Diaz), along with experienced late-inning savants in Tyler Rogers (acquired from the Giants earlier Wednesday), Gregory Soto and Ryne Stanek. — Andrew Tredinnick, This story has been updated with new information. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ryan Helsley trade details: Closer traded from Cardinals to Mets
Yahoo
31-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
MLB rumors: Blue Jays, Pirates discussed potential relief pitcher trade
The post MLB rumors: Blue Jays, Pirates discussed potential relief pitcher trade appeared first on ClutchPoints. As the Major League Baseball trade deadline approaches, it is natural to hear scuttlebutt from teams all over the league about possible trade deals. It appears that the Pittsburgh Pirates, who are rumored to be selling this season, are once again at the center of a rumor. The Pirates and Toronto Blue Jays have been talking about a possible trade involving relief pitchers, per MLB Network. The Blue Jays are reportedly interested in getting their hands on at least one Pirates reliever. Pittsburgh has a solid bullpen this campaign, anchored by Dennis Santana and David Bednar. Both Santana and Bednar are rumored to be trade candidates, since both are eligible for free agency after 2026. While Toronto is hoping to get a Pirates reliever, it isn't clear what Pittsburgh is asking for in return. The most natural assumption is that Pittsburgh is looking for a reliable hitter, considering the Bucs have one of the worst offenses in MLB. The MLB trade deadline is July 31. Pirates, Blue Jays are headed in opposite directions The Blue Jays have taken control of the American League East this season. Toronto has won seven of their last 10 games. The Blue Jays have been able to win without having starting pitcher Max Scherzer for most of the year, who has battled an injury. The Pirates meanwhile are headed in the wrong direction. Pittsburgh is dead last in the NL Central, with a 45-62 record. The Bucs have solid pitching, but not much hitting. Pittsburgh is dead last in MLB in several offensive categories, including runs scored and home runs. Toronto is a team that needs some depth in the bullpen. The Blue Jays are 19th collectively in team ERA, per MLB stats. Toronto has a 4.16 team ERA. Pittsburgh meanwhile is faring much better in that category, at eighth in MLB. The Pirates have a team ERA of 3.73. There are several teams hoping to get one of the Pirates relievers. At least two of those clubs are in the AL East, as the New York Yankees are also pushing for Bednar or Santana. Bednar has 17 saves this season for the Bucs, while also posting a 2.37 ERA. Santana has a 1.39 earned run average for Pittsburgh. He served a suspension earlier this season for the Pirates, after arguing with an opposing fan while on a road trip. The reliever has allowed just one earned run in his last seven games. Toronto is in action Tuesday against the Baltimore Orioles, while Pittsburgh plays the San Francisco Giants. Related: MLB rumors: ESPN suggests 'stupid' Marlins-Diamondbacks Eugenio Suarez trade Related: MLB rumors: White Sox 'focused on 4 Mets players in Luis Robert Jr. trade talks
Yahoo
31-07-2025
- Sport
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Dodgers reliever avoids IL after scare vs. Twins
The post Dodgers reliever avoids IL after scare vs. Twins appeared first on ClutchPoints. The Los Angeles Dodgers felt the sting of the injury bug early in the 2025 season. L.A. is still without key hitter Max Muncy, which forced a batting order change. They watched a new scare after Tuesday's interconference game against the Minnesota Twins involving Ben Casparius. What's the status of the relief pitcher? The defending World Series champs learned his health fate Wednesday. Manager Dave Roberts dropped this update. Casparius 'is a little sore' in his calf per Roberts' words. However, the skipper expects for the relief pitcher to join the team on the road soon. Meaning he won't be on the injured list ahead of the Friday series against the Boston Red Sox. Casparius injured his right calf in the Tuesday contest versus the Twins at Chavez Ravine. Dodgers reporter Matthew Moreno shared he noticed Casparius wearing a sleeve over his right calf. Plus he had a 'noticeable limp.' But the Dodgers can welcome the fact he won't enter the 15-day IL window. Dodgers' Ben Casparius details pain from Twins game Casparius himself detailed the pain he endured from the Twins contest won by Minnesota 10-7. Verbally illustrating the 'discomfort' he felt. 'So for me, I think it was kind of the foot discomfort that bled into the calf a little bit and up toward the top of my knee,' Casparius shared via Dodger Blue. 'I'm kind of fortunate for that, but I'm still in a little bit of pain.' Dodger fans watched Casparius in pain during the sixth inning. He grabbed his right leg before trainers attended to him. He's among a handful of notable injuries for L.A. Blake Snell and Blake Treinen are currently out. Prized rookie Roki Sasaki also went down during the early portion of the year. Even Clayton Kershaw got a late start to his 2025 season following his lingering left knee ailment. Casparius is 7-4 overall on the hill with 60 strikeouts. Meanwhile, Yoshinobu Yamamoto has maintained top pitching duties for the Dodgers with a team-best 125 strikeouts. But Shohei Ohtani is re-impressing on the mound — even reaching two-way history versus the Twins on Monday for hitting a home run and starting at pitcher in the same game. Related: Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani hits impressive milestone with 1st inning HR vs. Twins Related: Former Dodgers top prospect released after striking out 40 times in 59 ABs
Yahoo
31-07-2025
- Sport
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Mets acquire closer Ryan Helsley from Cardinals: Trade details
The New York Mets have landed perhaps the most coveted relief pitcher on the market as the MLB trade deadline draws near. The St. Louis Cardinals have traded right-hander Ryan Helsley to the Mets in exchange for prospects Jesus Baez, Nate Dohm and Frank Elissalt, according to multiple reports. Helsley first took over closing duties in St. Louis in 2022 and has enjoyed a highly successful run in the role, racking up a major league-leading 49 saves last season while pitching to an ERA of 2.04. He has endured some rocky outings this season, however, as the Cardinals have faded from the playoff picture. He has 21 saves and a 3.00 ERA on the season, but has been much better over the past six weeks. Since June 15, Helsley has allowed only one run in his last 11 innings. Ryan Helsley trade details The Cardinals trade RP Ryan Helsley to the Mets for Jesus Baez, Nate Dohm and Frank Elissalt. Baez, an infielder, is the Mets' eighth-ranked prospect. Dohm and Elissalt are both right-handed pitchers, the former the Mets' 14th-ranked prospect. Ryan Helsley stats This season, Helsley has converted 21 of 26 save opportunities with a 3.00 ERA and 1.39 WHIP in 36 innings. He also has struck out 10.3 batters per nine innings. Ryan Helsley contract details Helsley, 31, is in his final year of arbitration with the Cardinals, making him a free agent for the first time in his career at the end of the season. He is currently making $8.2 million this season. Cardinals depth chart update With Helsley moving on, the Cardinals could turn to veteran right-hander Phil Maton or left-hander JoJo Romero to close out games. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ryan Helsley trade details: Closer traded from Cardinals to Mets
