MLB Player News

Gonzalez (elbow) tossed a bullpen session Tuesday, and Dodgers manager Dave Roberts indicated Gonzalez could be going on a minor-league rehab assignment soon, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

Gonzalez went on the 10-day injured list near the end of spring training due to left elbow inflammation, and he has yet to see game action this season. The left-hander has been throwing, however, and his bullpen session Tuesday included both fastballs and sliders. Gonzalez could vie for a big-league bullpen spot when fully healthy and ramped up.

Littell was placed on the COVID-19 injured list Tuesday after testing positive for the virus, Evan Webeck of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Littell officially landed on the shelf without an injury designation prior to Tuesday's win over the A's, but manager Gabe Kapler clarified the right-hander's outlook after the contest. The 26-year-old is experiencing mild symptoms and will remain away from the team until he clears MLB's testing protocols.

Junis is expected to work as the Giants' primary pitcher Wednesday against the A's, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

The 29-year-old picked up the win in his debut for the Giants on Friday after delivering five scoreless innings out of the bullpen, and it appears he'll fill the bulk role again Wednesday. Sam Long will start the contest and is likely to pitch an inning or two as the opener. Junis should continue seeing plenty of innings for the near future, either as a traditional starter or primary pitcher, until Anthony DeSclafani (ankle) and Alex Cobb (groin) return from the injured list.

Melancon saved Tuesday's 5-3 win over the Dodgers, recording a 1-2-3 ninth inning.

After Arizona took the lead in the bottom of the eighth, Melancon was brought in to secure the victory and made quick work of the bottom of Los Angeles order on just seven pitches. The veteran closer has now converted all three of his saves in his last four appearances, but he failed to record a strikeout for the sixth time in seven appearances this season.

Hader earned the save in Tuesday's win over the Pirates, striking out the only batter he faced in the ninth inning.

The Pirates brought the tying run to the on-deck circle, which prompted Brewers manager Craig Counsell to bring in his closer. Hader struck out Tucupita Marcano on a called third strike to earn his ninth save of the season. The rate of saves will almost certainly slow down, but the early returns have been greater than even Hader's loudest proponents could have hoped for.

Long will start Wednesday's game against the A's, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Long opened Monday's game in Milwaukee and delivered a scoreless frame, and he'll start again Wednesday versus Oakland. The left-hander should cover an inning or two depending on how he pitches, with Jakob Junis the likely candidate to work behind him in a bulk role.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Monday that Treinen (shoulder) hasn't started throwing yet, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Treinen was placed on the 10-day injured list with right shoulder discomfort April 22, but he hasn't pitched in a game since April 14. The move to the IL was backdated three days, so the right-hander is eligible to be activated April 29, but it doesn't appear likely that he'll be ready to go by then. Roberts indicated Tuesday that it "shouldn't be too long" before Treinen starts throwing again, but a clear timetable for his return has yet to be established.

Roberts struck out the side in a perfect inning of relief during Tuesday's loss to Atlanta.

Coming on for Marcus Stroman in the seventh inning, Roberts mowed down three Atlanta hitters on 17 pitches. The righty has a 4.50 ERA and seven strikeouts across six innings of work this season, though he also has five walks. If Roberts can cut down on the free passes, he has the swing-and-miss stuff to put up solid numbers, though he's not really in the mix for saves at this point.

Sanmartin (0-3) took the loss to the Padres on Tuesday, allowing nine earned runs on eight hits and one walk over three-plus innings. He struck out two batters.

Everything unraveled for Sanmartin in the fourth inning, although not a lot outside of Eric Hosmer's home run was hit particularly hard. Regardless, Sanmartin now sits with a 10.91 ERA this season, so he may very well be the odd man out of the rotation once Luis Castillo (shoulder) is ready to go. The Reds could even turn elsewhere in the meantime or perhaps go with a bullpen day in Sanmartin's spot.

Hicks had X-rays on his right wrist come back negative after leaving Tuesday's game against the Mets, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports

The 25-year-old was struck on the right wrist by a 97-mph comebacker during Tuesday's start, but it appears he escaped with just a bruise. He gave up two runs on two hits with two walks and a strikeout over two innings before exiting the contest and is in line for the loss. Hicks' next turn through the rotation lines up for Sunday versus Arizona, though it's unclear if he'll be available for that start.