MLB Player News

Long was optioned to Triple-A Sacramento on Friday, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

He had a 3.48 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and eight strikeouts in 10.1 innings through nine appearances. Sean Hjelle was promoted to take a spot in the big-league bullpen.

Hjelle was recalled from Triple-A Sacramento prior to Friday's game against the Cardinals, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

He will be available out of the bullpen Friday. The Giants felt it was a good spot for his potential debut with the Cardinals' lineup being so righty-heavy. Hjelle, who turns 25 on Saturday, is one of the tallest pitchers to ever potentially pitch in the majors at 6-foot-11. He had a 4.37 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and 14 strikeouts in 22.2 innings through five starts at Triple-A.

Martin was optioned to Triple-A Reno on Friday.

He had a 4.40 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 14:6 K:BB in 14.1 innings working as a long reliever with the big club. Marin will presumably stay relatively stretched out at Triple-A.

Melancon (undisclosed) was activated from the injured list prior to Friday's game against the Rockies.

Ian Kennedy notched three saves in three appearances over the last six days, so Melancon could have some competition for saves going forward, although he is still the presumed top closing option at this point.

Kranick will serve as the Pirates' 27th man for their doubleheader Saturday against Cincinnati, Justice delos Santos of MLB.com reports.

Mitch Keller will start the afternoon game, but the Pirates have yet to announce who will start the nightcap. That job now looks like it could go to Kranick, though it's also possible he'll be tasked with providing length out of the bullpen. He missed the start of the year while recovering from a right forearm strain and owns a 3.12 ERA through four minor-league appearances, none of which lasted longer than three innings.

Farmer was designated for assignment by the Reds on Friday.

Farmer earned a spot on the Opening Day roster but will lose his place on the 40-man roster after posting a 6.75 ERA, 1.83 WHIP and 17:7 K:BB across 12 innings. The 31-year-old could head to Triple-A Louisville if he passes through waivers unclaimed.

Garcia earned a hold Thursday against Miami, pitching a scoreless inning during which he allowed one hit.

Starter Nick Martinez allowed only one run in seven frames, but the Padres held a narrow 2-1 lead when Garcia took over in the eighth. The right-hander allowed a two-out single to Jazz Chisholm and then saw Chisholm swipe second base, but Garcia retired Jesus Aguilar to end the threat and notch a hold. The reliever has allowed five runs over 8.2 innings this season, but only two of the runs have been earned. More promisingly, he has surrendered only five hits and posted a 6:0 K:BB.

Llovera struck out one in a perfect inning and did not factor in the decision in Thursday's loss to the Cardinals.

Llovera was tabbed as the opener for the contest, and he handled the assignment well. The 26-year-old has yet to work more than an inning in any of his four appearances this season, so he shouldn't be expected to be in the mix for wins if he opens more games later in the year. He has a 2.25 ERA, 0.75 WHIP and 5:0 K:BB across four innings.

Norris will start the second game of Saturday's doubleheader against the Dodgers, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

The 28-year-old has given up four earned runs over six innings out of the bullpen this season, though he's allowed only five hits and has a strong 8:1 K:BB. The doubleheader is a result of a postponement Friday, and Norris will start a bullpen game in the nightcap while Drew Smyly (personal) starts the matinee.

Milner tossed a scoreless ninth inning in Thursday's 10-5 victory over the Reds.

With the Brewers up five runs, Milner was called upon to finish Thursday's game, and he came through as expected. He resides near the bottom of the Brewers' bullpen pecking order but he has been sharp to kick off the 2022 campaign, posting a 2.08 ERA and 1.04 WHIP in 8.2 innings over 10 appearances.