MLB Player News

The Padres recalled Knehr from Double-A San Antonio to start Friday's game against the Rockies, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

The righty makes the leap all the way to the big leagues to start in place of Blake Snell (fatigue). Knehr has pitched to a 3.90 ERA in 55.1 innings with a 46:22 K:BB in his 11 starts at Double-A. The Padres have not indicated how long into the game he's expected to pitch, but it doesn't figure to be more than a few innings.

Castano (shoulder) was transferred to the 60-day injured list Friday.

The left-hander has been on the shelf just over a month with a left shoulder impingement, and he now won't be eligible to be activated for another month. It's unclear how long Castano is expected to be sidelined by the injury.

Underwood hit the 10-day injured list with right side discomfort Friday, Jake Crouse of MLB.com reports.

The move was made retroactive to Thursday, so Underwood will be eligible to return July 18. It's not yet clear if the Pirates expect him to do so. Austin Davis was recalled in a corresponding move.

Bass will start Friday's game versus Atlanta, Craig Mish of SportsGrid.com reports.

The right-hander will start Friday's contest as manager Don Mattingly employs a bullpen game after starter Zach Thompson (illness) was scratched. Bass won't provide much length given he hasn't pitched more than one inning during any appearance this season. He has a 4.13 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 29:15 K:BB across 32.2 frames.

Garcia signed a major-league contract with the Cardinals on Friday.

The veteran righty has had some effective seasons in the past, and his career 4.26 ERA in 315 innings at the highest level is respectable enough, but it's unclear how much he has left in the tank at age 34. He threw just 8.1 innings for the Rangers last season, struggling to a 7.56 ERA, and he's yet to make his season debut this year. He's pitched well enough in 17.1 innings for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in the Yankees' system, posting a 3.63 ERA and 27.5 percent strikeout rate, so he could still be useful in lower-leverage situations for his new team.

Abbott was optioned to Triple-A Iowa on Friday, Tony Andracki of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Abbott was only with the big-league club for two days and got knocked around in his lone appearance, allowing four runs in three innings of relief against the Phillies on Thursday. He now owns a 6.35 ERA and 1.76 WHIP in 11.1 innings thus far in his rookie season.

Melancon (2-1) won Thursday's 9-8 game against the Nationals, pitching one inning and permitting a walk.

Melancon entered an 8-8 tie in the top of the ninth and did his job by keeping Washington off the board, then became the winner when San Diego walked it off in the bottom of the inning. The MLB saves leader has proven to be an extremely reliable option as the Padres have lost only three of the 37 games Melancon has pitched. He should remain a go-to option for manager Jayce Tingler for the foreseeable future.

Williams (6-1) struck out two in a perfect inning, earning the win in Thursday's victory over Cincinnati.

Williams did his job to keep the game tied through the top of the eighth, and Avisail Garcia put Milwaukee ahead in the bottom half of the frame. In his last seven outings, Williams has produced some solid value with four wins and three holds. The setup man has a 3.06 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 51:20 K:BB across 32.1 innings this season. He's added 15 holds and three blown saves in 36 appearances.

Hader struck out two in a perfect inning to earn the save in Thursday's 5-3 win over Cincinnati.

The lefty took his first blown save of the year in Game 1 of Wednesday's doubleheader versus the Mets. Manager Craig Counsell showed no hesitation to turn back to Hader on Thursday, and the 27-year-old was back to his usual dominant self. He's now 21-for-22 in save chances with a 0.78 ERA, 0.72 WHIP and 59:12 K:BB across 34.2 innings.

Alzolay (4-9) allowed four runs on five hits and a walk while striking out five in five innings as he took the loss versus Philadelphia on Thursday.

The right-hander didn't get a ton of help from the Cubs, who were limited to five singles and three walks in the contest. Alzolay gave up two of the three home runs Brad Miller hit in the game -- which is the fourth straight time he's allowed multiple homers in a start. Alzolay has a 4.66 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 81:22 K:BB through 77.1 innings overall.