MLB Player News

Howard will be called up to start Saturday against Boston, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

The Phillies would have preferred to bring Howard along slowly at the Triple-A level, but ineffectiveness from their other back-end starter options means he'll get the call after just three minor-league outings. Those starts spanned a total of just nine innings, and he maxed out at four frames in his most recent appearance, so he's unlikely to push towards 100 pitches right away. What exactly he'll offer the Phillies this year is something of a mystery, as he's a highly rated prospect but has so far struggled to a 6.28 ERA in 28.2 major-league innings, striking out a modest 23.1 percent of opposing batters after posting a career strikeout rate of 33.0 percent in 50 minor-league starts.

Curtiss will start Friday's game against the Mets, Craig Mish of SportsGrid.com reports.

The 28-year-old will serve as an opener for the second time this season to begin the weekend series. Curtiss has completed two innings on two occasions this season, and he's unlikely to pitch much deeper than that Friday. Jordan Holloway could be in the mix as a bulk option for Miami.

Manager Dave Roberts said Jansen may not be available Friday and Saturday in San Francisco after pitching in three of the past four games, J.P. Hoornstra of the Los Angeles Daily News reports.

The 33-year-old covered 3.1 innings on 46 pitches while picking up three saves during the four-game set versus the Diamondbacks this week, so Roberts wants to give his veteran closer a bit of a breather. Jansen shouldn't be expected to pitch Friday against the Giants, while his status for Saturday figures to be more up in the air. Blake Treinen has one save, 11 holds and a 2.00 ERA across 18 innings this season and is the likely candidate to cover the ninth inning in the meantime for Los Angeles.

Jansen recorded his 10th save in Thursday's 3-2 win over Arizona, pitching a clean ninth with two strikeouts.

Jansen made quick work of Josh Reddick, David Peralta and Nick Ahmed to torment the Diamondbacks with yet another save, his third of the four-game series. After blowing a save May 5, Jansen has rebounded in the six outings since with scoreless appearances and five saves while allowing only four baserunners with 10 strikeouts. His last earned run was in a game April 26 against the Reds.

Gonzalez (1-0) won Thursday's 3-2 match with the Diamondbacks, throwing 1.1 innings with three strikeouts.

Gonzalez entered a 2-2 tie in the sixth with two out and runners on the corners and whiffed Domingo Leyba before pitching a 1-2-3 seventh with two more strikeouts. A Will Smith homer in the bottom of the inning put him in line for the win, his first of the season. Gonzalez has only surrendered three runs in 16 innings all season and leads MLB with 12 holds, proving why he's a key piece in one of the best bullpens.

Crowe allowed four earned runs on seven hits and three walks while striking out seven across five innings in Thursday's win over Atlanta. He did not factor into the decision.

Crowe gave up a season-high four runs, allowing long balls to William Contreras and Dansby Swanson. It was the first outing Crowe surrendered multiple home runs. However, he did have a season-high seven punchouts. The 26-year-old has a 4.91 ERA and 1.48 WHIP in 25.2 innings. He has totaled just 34 big-league innings in his career.

Webb (1-2) allowed two runs (one earned) on three hits while recording just one out in the 10th inning Thursday, taking the loss to the Pirates.

Webb allowed three singles before recording his only out in the 10th, surrendering the lead. The 27-year-old doesn't receive many high-leverage innings for Atlanta; however, he got the chance Thursday and couldn't come through. He carries a 6.00 ERA and a team-high 1.80 WHIP, struggling to stay consistent between appearances.

Chafin pitched a scoreless inning of relief in Thursday's win over the Nationals to record his 10th hold of the season.

Chafin has been one of the Cubs' most dependable relievers so far. In addition to the team-leading 10 holds, the lefty has a solid 2.57 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 21 strikeouts across 21 innings. He should continue working in a high-leverage role for Chicago.

Kimbrel earned the save against the Nationals on Thursday by tossing a scoreless inning. He allowed one hit while striking out three.

The right-hander entered the ninth frame with a two-run lead and worked around a single by Starlin Castro to slam the door, earning all of his outs via strikeouts. It was the ninth save of the season for Kimbrel, who has blown two of his opportunities thus far while pitching to the tune of a 1.02 ERA and 0.85 WHIP across 17.2 innings.

Soriano (elbow) began a rehab assignment with Low-A Bradenton on Thursday, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

The Pirates grabbed Soriano in the Rule 5 draft despite the fact that he was still working his way back from Tommy John surgery. He's still on the 60-day injured list and may need a lengthy rehab assignment before he's ready to make his big-league debut, but the Pirates will have to keep him on the active roster once that's done or offer him back to the Angels.