MLB Player News

The Marlins designated Villalobos for assignment Sunday, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Designating Villabos for assignment clears a spot on the 40-man roster for Devin Smeltzer. The right-hander struggled to an 11.57 ERA over three appearances for the Jumbo Shrimp to open the Triple-A season. If unclaimed, Villalobos likely will remain with Miami as a bullpen option in Jacksonville.

The Marlins selected Smeltzer's contract from Triple-A Jacksonville on Sunday, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Smeltzer gives the Marlins a fresh arm and replaces Daniel Castano on the roster with Castano sent down to Jacksonville in the corresponding move. Smeltzer allowed five runs over five innings in his only appearance with the Jumbo Shrimp before the promotion.

The Marlins optioned Castano to Triple-A Jacksonville on Sunday, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Castano struggled in his only appearance for the Marlins on Friday, allowing three runs on two homers. He goes to Triple-A to make room for Devin Smeltzer after Smeltzer had his contract purchased Sunday.

Sims (back) will begin a rehab assignment Sunday with Triple-A Louisville.

Since Sims' placement on the IL is retroactive to March 27, he'll be eligible for activation as soon as Tuesday, but it's unclear if he'll be immediately reinstated at that time. The Reds will likely wait and see how he fares during his upcoming appearance Sunday before deciding whether he's fit to join the big-league bullpen or requires at least one more outing in the minors. Once activated, Sims is expected to settle into a setup role in front of closer Alexis Diaz.

Edwards earned a save against the Rockies on Saturday, allowing one run on three hits and striking out one batter over one inning.

Kyle Finnegan opened the season as Washington's presumptive closer, but he was used in the eighth inning Saturday with Washington holding a five-run lead. After Anthony Banda allowed three baserunners without getting an out in the ninth, Edwards was brought in to shut the door in a save situation. The right-hander didn't look great, allowing an inherited runner to score as well as having a run charged to himself while surrendering three hits, but he was able to strike out Kris Bryant to close things out. It remains to be seen if Finnegan's recent blowup has dropped him out of the closer role -- if that's the case, Edwards could see more ninth-inning opportunities despite his shaky save Saturday.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Friday that Phillips will be given ninth-inning opportunities more often than the team's over relievers, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

While Roberts didn't directly name Phillips the team's full-time closer, it certainly appears that the right-hander is in line for something close to that role. Phillips has earned two of Los Angeles' three saves so far, with the other being a three-inning save by Andre Jackson in a rout of Arizona. Brusdar Graterol -- among others -- could still see an occasional save chance, but for fantasy purposes, Phillips is the Dodgers reliever to roster. He's yet to give up a run while allowing only one baserunner through three innings this season.

Through four appearances this season, Vesia has given up four earned runs on eight hits over three innings.

Vesia was one of the Dodgers' best relievers in both 2021 and 2022, posting a collective 2.19 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 133:46 K:BB over 94.1 innings. It's been a different story for the southpaw so far in 2023, as he's given up at least one run in three of his four appearances and has yet to get through an outing without giving up at least one hit. Vesia was thought to be a contender for save chances in Los Angeles' closer committee when the season opened, but he's unlikely to see any such chances until he gets things straightened out.

Weathers will make his next start Tuesday on the road against the Mets, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

Weathers pitched well in his season debut April 3, allowing two runs over five innings in a no-decision against Arizona. The left-hander was initially thought to be in line to make his next start Monday, but he'll instead flip spots with Yu Darvish, who will pitch the opener of the series against the Mets while Weathers takes the mound Tuesday. After this upcoming outing, Weathers will likely head to the bullpen or to Triple-A, with Joe Musgrove (toe) in line to rejoin San Diego's rotation.

Hader allowed a hit and a walk in a scoreless ninth inning to earn the save in Saturday's 4-1 win over Atlanta. He struck out three.

Hader struggled with his command early and put runners on first and second with no outs, but he rebounded to strike out the next three batters. The left-hander has yet to give up a run through four outings this season and has an 8:1 K:BB. Hader has thrown 46 pitches over the past two days, so manager Bob Melvin could turn to Luis Garcia, Steven Wilson or Tim Hill should a save situation arise Sunday.

Robertson picked up the save Saturday against Miami, striking out one in a perfect inning.

Robertson got Nick Fortes to go down swinging, and he then retired Jon Berti and Jazz Chisholm on groundouts to cement the victory for the Mets. The right-hander has his second save of the season, and he hasn't allowed a run over four innings in his four appearances.