MLB Player News

Jansen logged the save during Saturday's 6-3 win against the Nationals, submitting a perfect ninth inning on 10 pitches.

Jansen entered in the ninth inning to protect a three-run lead and made quick work of the heart of Washington's lineup en route to his 22nd save. In three appearances since returning from the IL, the 34-year-old has surrendered one run in three innings and possesses a 3.53 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and 49 strikeouts in 35.2 innings overall.

Llovera was placed on the 15-day injured list with a Grade 2 right flexor strain Saturday.

Llovera exited Friday's win over the Brewers after throwing 1.2 relief innings, and he'll be forced to miss at least two weeks after being diagnosed with a Grade 2 strain. A timetable for the right-hander's return isn't yet clear, but he isn't eligible to be activated until at least the end of July.

Junis (hamstring) was activated off the injured list Saturday and is expected to pitch out of the bullpen, Evan Webeck of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Junis should be able to reclaim his rotation role after the break, but the Giants don't need a starter in either of the final two games of the first half, so he'll pitch in relief for now. He's available for up to 60 pitches in support of Alex Cobb on Saturday against the Brewers. Prior to hitting the injured list with a hamstring strain in mid-June, Junis had recorded a 2.63 ERA in seven starts and two relief appearances.

Smith was optioned to Triple-A Albuquerque on Saturday.

Smith was recalled when Carlos Estevez landed on the paternity list Friday, but he'll return to the minors one day later with Estevez already back with the team. Smith didn't draw into Friday's game versus the Pirates during his most recent stint in the majors.

Estevez was activated off the paternity list Saturday.

Players may spend between one and three days on the paternity list. Estevez wound up spending the minimum amount, having only just left the team Friday. Chad Smith was optioned to clear space for his return.

Yacabonis was placed on the 15-day injured list with a left groin strain Saturday, retroactive to July 13, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Yacabonis hasn't been particularly sharp recently, and he gave up six runs (five earned) in two innings over his last two appearances. The right-hander will be unavailable until nearly the end of July due to his injury, while his placement on the IL clears space on the active roster for Max Meyer, whose contract was selected Saturday.

Moreta was placed on the injured list for undisclosed reasons Saturday.

The Reds declined to note both the reason for Moreta's absence and the specific injured list he landed on, which fits the pattern teams have used when placing players on the COVID-19 injured list. Ryan Hendrix was called up to take his place on the roster.

Leiter was optioned to Triple-A Iowa on Saturday, Tim Stebbins of NBC Sports Chicago reports.

Leiter was called up by the Cubs on June 21 but wasn't particularly sharp during his stint with the major-league club. He posted a 4.64 ERA and 1.17 WHIP in 21.1 innings over seven outings during his time in the big leagues and will head back to the minors as part of a move after Steven Brault's contract was selected Saturday.

Minter walked one and struck out one in a third of an inning Friday to record his fifth save of the season in an 8-4 win over the Nationals.

Will Smith began the ninth inning with Atlanta ahead 8-1, but his struggles forced manager Brian Snitker to turn to Minter to quash a Washington rally as Kenley Jansen had pitched each of the prior two days. Over his last 10 appearances, a stretch that includes all five of his saves plus three of his 18 holds, Minter sports a 2.16 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 10:2 K:BB through 8.1 innings.

Junis (hamstring) is a candidate to return from the injured list ahead of Saturday's game against the Brewers, Evan Webeck of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Mauricio Llovera left Friday's game against the Brewers due to a flexor strain, so Junis would likely provide length out of the bullpen if he's ultimately cleared to return Saturday. Alex Cobb and Logan Webb are listed as the probable starters for Saturday and Sunday, respectively, but Junis said that he's built up to approximately 50-60 pitches. The right-hander has made two rehab appearances in the Arizona Complex League and has allowed a run on five hits and no walks while striking out four in four innings.