MLB Player News

The Phillies optioned Kelly to Triple-A Lehigh Valley following Sunday's 9-3 loss to the Nationals.

Kelly struck out one over a perfect inning of relief Sunday and maintains an unblemished ERA through his first two appearances in the majors, but it won't be enough for him to stick around with the big club. He should find himself near the top of the list for a call-up if the Phillies require an additional bullpen arm at any point.

The Nationals optioned Abbott to Triple-A Rochester following Sunday's 9-3 win over the Phillies, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

MLB teams won't be able to carry more than 12 pitchers on the 26-man active roster beginning Monday, so Abbott's demotion will bring the Nationals down to the maximum allotted arms. He made his team debut Sunday, striking out one over a scoreless inning to finish out the game.

The Rockies transferred Kinley (elbow) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Sunday, Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post reports.

The transaction is a procedural move, as Kinley was already expected to miss the remainder of the season after he was diagnosed Wednesday with a right elbow strain and a flexor tear. The Rockies haven't yet decided if Tommy John surgery is in the forecast for the right-hander, but he'll require months of rest and rehab even if he's able to forgo a procedure. Colorado reinstated infielder Garrett Hampson (illness) from the COVID-19-related injured list to fill Kinley's spot on the 40-man roster.

Rogers walked one and struck out two in a scoreless inning to earn a hold in Saturday's 7-5 win over the Pirates.

Rogers has had some shaky outings this year, but he's managed to log a 2.02 ERA over his last 13.1 innings while earning two holds in that span. The right-hander is up to 10 holds, a blown save and an 0-2 record through 30 appearances. He's posted a 5.04 ERA, 1.45 WHIP and 18:9 K:BB across 30.1 innings, but he remains in a high-leverage role on a 37-27 team, so he should continue to get looks for holds even if Camilo Doval and Jake McGee command most of the save chances.

The Reds placed Diaz on the 15-day injured list Sunday with right biceps tendinitis.

Diaz wasn't the clear-cut top option in the Reds' closer committee, but with Tony Santillan (back) recently joining Lucas Sims (back) on the injured list and with Art Warren having struggled in his recent appearances, Diaz seemingly had a good chance of emerging as Cincinnati's top option for saves in the short term. He had already performed as the Reds' best reliever this season with a 2.40 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 36:16 K:BB in 30 innings to go with two saves and eight holds, but the injury now casts doubt about Diaz's outlook moving forward. Biceps tendinitis can often be a precursor to a more serious injury, but for now, the Reds will have to hope that he misses the minimum 15 days or close to it. Warren and Hunter Strickland look like the best bets for saves with all of Diaz, Santillan and Sims on the IL.

The Giants optioned Llovera to Triple-A Sacramento on Sunday, Evan Webeck of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Llovera will lose his spot on the 26-man active roster after the Giants reinstated Alex Cobb (neck) from the 15-day injured list ahead of his scheduled start Sunday against the Pirates. During his week-long stay in the big leagues, Llovera tossed a scoreless inning in each of his relief appearances.

Colome (2-0) did not allow a baserunner while striking out one in a scoreless eighth inning to earn the win Saturday against the Padres.

Colome entered the game in the eighth inning with the score knotted at four. He needed only 10 pitches to retire the side, and he has now turned in 17 consecutive scoreless appearances. Colome has a 2.13 ERA and 1.22 WHIP on the season, and he appears to be next in line for saves should Daniel Bard suffer an injury.

The Reds recalled Moreta from Triple-A Louisville on Sunday.

Outfielder TJ Friedl was optioned to Louisville to clear room on the 26-man active roster for Moreta. The 26-year-old right-hander was able to secure a spot on the Reds' Opening Day roster, but he labored across 15 appearances before being sent to Louisville on May 12. Over his 13.2 innings with the Reds, Moreta was charged with 15 earned runs on 15 hits and six walks while striking out 16.

Doval pitched a clean ninth inning to pick up the save in a 7-5 win over the Pirates on Saturday.

It was a dominant inning for Doval, who didn't allow a baserunner and threw nine of his 11 pitches for strikes. The game ended on a nasty 100.8 mph cutter to Daniel Vogelbach, which caught him looking for strike three. Doval has now converted 11 of 13 save chances so far this season, and he boasts a 10.4 K/9 rate, which is appropriate for a shutdown closer.

Hudson (5-3) earned the win over Boston on Saturday, pitching five innings and allowing two runs on four hits and five walks while striking out three.

Hudson threw only 50 of 93 pitches for strikes and allowed a season-high five walks, but he limited the Red Sox to two runs to pick up the victory. The right-hander has issued multiple free passes in 10 of his 13 starts this season and has given up 32 walks overall (tied for third-most in the majors), but he has nonetheless managed to post a solid 3.31 ERA. Much of Hudson's success has been centered on his ability to keep the ball in the park -- he has surrendered only four long balls across 70.2 innings on the campaign.