MLB Player News

Lamet (elbow) may make his regular-season debut during next week's series in Pittsburgh, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Lamet worked up to 56 pitches Friday in a game at the team's alternate training site, his latest step toward joining the Padres' rotation. It hasn't yet been determined when the right-hander will debut this season, but next week's road series at Pittsburgh is a viable target. "Is that one more start down there? Do we start to look at Pittsburgh series? We've got some decisions to be made," manager Jayce Tingler indicated Saturday, adding, "I think we're going to base that decision on what's right for Lamet, and we'll work backward from there." Lamet is certain to be on a pitch restriction early on, and the organization is likely to take an overall cautious approach with the fireballing pitcher throughout the course of the campaign even if he remains healthy.

Pomeranz allowed one hit in a scoreless inning Saturday to earn the hold against Texas. All three of his outs came via strikeout.

While Mark Melancon has secured the coveted closer role that Pomeranz was thought to be in contention for heading into the season, the latter has fared well as a setup man, hurling four scoreless innings and compiling a 7:0 K:BB through four appearances. Pomeranz's ability to rack up strikeouts and put up elite ratios make him a worthwhile fantasy target despite the lack of save opportunities, especially in leagues that count holds.

Melancon fired a perfect ninth inning, striking out one to earn his fourth save of the season Saturday against the Rangers.

Melancon has allowed only a single hit in four innings this season. The veteran's stellar start has him tied with Jake McGee for the league lead in saves (4). The Padres will have a large number of save opportunities this season and Melancon has solidified himself in the closing role.

Weathers (1-0) allowed one earned run on one hit and one walk while striking out three across two innings of relief, earning the win over the Rangers on Saturday.

Weathers has notched himself a win and a save in his first two major-league appearances. His only blemish Saturday came from a solo shot at the hands of Isiah Kiner-Falefa in the fifth inning. The 21-year-old is likely going to be a future starter, but he is currently making a name for himself in the pen.

Smith earned the save against Philadelphia on Saturday, pitching a perfect inning and notching one strikeout.

Smith had yielded an earned run in each of his prior two outings, but he had no trouble against the Phillies on Saturday, breezing through the ninth inning on 10 pitches (seven strikes). The southpaw has two saves on the season along with a 5:2 K:BB across three frames.

Hoffman (1-1) allowed three runs on six hits and three walks while striking out two over 4.1 innings in a loss to the Diamondbacks on Saturday.

After inducing 13 swinging strikes on 77 pitches in a win over the Cardinals in his Reds debut, Hoffman managed just seven swinging strikes on 82 pitches Saturday. Two of the three runs charged to Hoffman crossed the plate after he exited the game, but the right-hander had issues with command during his time on the mound, as evidenced by the fact he had more walks than strikeouts. If Jose De Leon has a better outing Sunday, Cincinnati could opt to keep De Leon in the rotation over Hoffman with Sonny Gray (back) due to return next week.

Rogers allowed a hit and struck out one over one inning to earn a hold in Saturday's 4-3 win over the Rockies.

Rogers worked the eighth inning and only allowed a leadoff single to Trevor Story before retiring the next three batters. The 30-year-old Rogers is already up to three holds with a 1.93 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and four strikeouts across 4.2 innings. It hasn't all been smooth -- he's also been charged with two blown saves in five outings. The right-hander is likely to continue working as a setup man to Jake McGee.

Jansen did not receive the save opportunity Friday in the Dodgers' home opener versus Washington because he had pitched twice in the previous three days, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

Corey Knebel was summoned in the ninth inning Friday with the Dodgers holding onto a one-run lead. That opportunity would typically go to Jansen, but manager Dave Roberts made it clear that the veteran closer wasn't passed over for performance reasons, explaining "He's [Jansen's] in the same bucket as all our pitchers, as far as workload." Though Knebel converted the save and Jansen has been shaky so far this season, it's probably premature to to expect a change in the ninth-inning role. However, it seems likely that Jansen won't be taxed early in the campaign, potentially opening save opportunities for Knebel, Blake Treinen and Victor Gonzalez.

De Leon will start Sunday against the Diamondbacks, but he is at risk of getting bumped to the bullpen with Sonny Gray returning next week, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

De Leon pitched well against the Pirates in his last time out, but part of the Reds' decision might come down to who is more capable of pitching in relief, with the Reds not planning on moving to a six-man rotation. The decision essentially comes down to either De Leon or Jeff Hoffman.

Graterol (not injury related) threw a 15-pitch simulated inning Saturday, Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Manager Dave Roberts said "everything looked good" as the right-hander threw both his fastball and slider during the session. Roberts declined to provide an official return timeline, but Graterol could join the active roster in the near future.