MLB Player News

Diaz picked up the save Thursday against the Nationals. He allowed one run on one hit while striking out one over one inning.

Diaz didn't get off to a great start after entering the game in the bottom of the 10th with a two-run lead, allowing Alex Call to advance to third on a wild pitch before giving up an RBI single to Lane Thomas. The right-hander then hit Jeimer Candelario with a pitch before finally settling down and retiring the next three hitters to secure his 25th save, tying him with Camilo Doval for the National League lead. Diaz has now converted his last three save attempts, though he has allowed at least one hit in each of his last four appearances.

Vesia struck out one in a perfect inning to earn the save in Thursday's 5-2 win over the Pirates.

It was clean work for Vesia in his return to the major-league roster after two weeks at Triple-A Oklahoma City. He'd given up six runs (five earned) over 3.2 innings across his five appearances prior to getting sent down, but he was sharp in his return. Save chances are likely to be sparse for Vesia -- Evan Phillips had pitched three times between July 2-4, so he was likely getting a little extra rest. Brusdar Graterol picked up a hold in the eighth inning and Caleb Ferguson should also be in the mix for saves, which will likely keep Vesia in a middle-relief role. He has a 7.20 ERA, 2.30 WHIP and 31:12 K:BB through 20 innings this season while adding three holds and an 0-4 record.

Hicks picked up the save in Thursday's 3-0 win over the Marlins. He struck out one over a perfect inning.

Hicks grabbed his sixth save of the campaign Thursday, each of which has come since No. 1 closer Ryan Helsley (forearm) was placed on the 15-day IL on June 12. Since Helsley's injury, Hicks has handled closing duties and owns a 2.00 ERA and 12:2 K:BB through nine appearances (nine innings).

Graterol will avoid the injured list after suffering from an arm issue earlier in the week, Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Graterol has been unavailable for the last few days and there was some fear he'd be forced to the injured list. However, he threw prior to Thursday's game against the Pirates and was cleared for game action. With Daniel Hudson (knee) out for the long term, Graterol could be in line for a share of the Dodgers' saves along with Evan Phillips.

The Dodgers recalled Robertson from Triple-A Oklahoma City on Thursday, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Robertson and Alex Vesia will join the Dodgers bullpen as replacements for Yency Almonte (paternity) and Daniel Hudson (knee). Robertson holds an impressive 2.73 ERA and 1.00 WHIP at Triple-A this season, but those numbers balloon to a 7.04 ERA and 2.09 WHIP through 7.2 innings in the majors.

The Dodgers recalled Vesia from Triple-A Oklahoma City on Thursday, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Vesia will come up from the minors alongside Nick Robertson to replace Yency Almonte (paternity) and Daniel Hudson (knee) on the Dodgers' active roster. Vesia has been solid at Triple-A this season but has yet to carry that success over into the majors, where he holds a 7.58 ERA and 2.42 WHIP across 19 innings.

The Dodgers placed Almonte on the paternity list Thursday, J.P. Hoornstra of the Los Angeles Daily News reports.

Almonte is allowed to miss up to three days as he steps away from the team to be with his growing family. If he takes off all three days, his next appearance will come after the All-Star break. The 29-year-old reliever holds a 5.15 ERA and 1.39 WHIP through 36.2 innings this season.

Hudson suffered a sprained MCL on his right knee during Wednesday's game against Pittsburgh, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Hudson closed out the Dodgers' win Wednesday and suffered the injury late in his outing. He returned from a torn ACL in his left knee June 30 and had turned in three scoreless outings since. Manager Dave Roberts indicated that surgery wasn't recommended at this time, but that Hudson will be out "quite some time."

San Francisco selected Llovera's contract from Triple-A Sacramento on Thursday.

Llovera will give the Giants a fresh bullpen arm for the final stretch of games before the All-Star break. The 27-year-old right-hander was sporting a 3.92 ERA and 24:6 K:BB through 20.2 innings of work this season at the Triple-A level.

San Francisco optioned Winn to Triple-A Sacramento on Thursday.

Winn has posted a decent 4.09 ERA, 1.05 WHP and 14:5 K:BB in 22 major-league innings (two starts, three relief appearances) this season, but the Giants won't have a need again for the 25-year-old swingman until after the All-Star break.