MLB Player News

Smith was recalled from the Mets' alternate training site Tuesday.

Smith had a brief stay at the Mets' secondary site after being optioned Friday. Right-hander Franklyn Kilome was optioned to the alternate camp in a corresponding move. Smith should pitch in low-leverage situations for the Mets.

Garcia was one of 18 Marlins that tested positive for COVID-19 earlier this season who received clearance Saturday to resume baseball activities at the team's alternate training site in Jupiter, Joe Frisaro of MLB.com reports.

Garcia appeared out of the bullpen in two of the Marlins' first three games before the club had its season postponed for eight days due to a team-wide coronavirus outbreak. The reliever was among those who contracted the virus, but he's since made a full recovery and has cleared all COVID-19-related protocols. He'll now turn his focus to getting his arm reconditioned for game action following a three-plus-week layoff, and once reinstated, Garcia should fill a key setup role in front of closer Brandon Kintzler.

Morejon was recalled from the Padres' alternate training site Tuesday.

Morejon was on San Diego's taxi squad and will serve as the opener for Tuesday's contest against the Rangers. The southpaw has likely been throwing with the alternate club over the start of the season, but he presumably won't be asked to take on a heavy workload in Arlington. Morejon hasn't appeared in the majors in 2020 but posted a 10.13 ERA and 2.25 WHIP over eight major-league innings last year.

The Padres are expected to deploy Patino in Tuesday's game against the Rangers as a piggyback option behind starter Adrian Morejon, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

As a 21-year-old with limited big-league experience, Morejon likely won't be asked to work more than 4-to-5 innings in what will be his 2020 debut. As a result, a piggyback arrangement between Morejon and another prized young arm in Patino may make some sense as the Padres look to keep both pitchers' workloads in check while simultaneously amplifying their performances. Patino was tagged for five runs over his first two relief appearances, but he was sharper his last time out against a tough Dodgers lineup Aug. 13, striking out two over two scoreless frames.

Gott (1-2) blew his second straight save opportunity in Monday's 7-6 loss to the Angels, retiring one hitter via strikeout before serving up a walkoff two-run home run to Tommy La Stella.

After allowing one run in his first six appearances of the season while going 4-for-4 in save chances, Gott appeared to build some job security as the Giants' closer. Gott has been in a downward spiral ever since, however, as he's now given up 11 runs over his last three outings, retiring just four hitters over that stretch. With Gott blowing his second save in three days, manager Gabe Kapler said after the game that in the short-term, he'll look for "softer landing spots" for the right-hander and "evaluate what other options we have in the high-leverage moments," per Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com. Kapler's comments seemingly hint that other pitchers could factor into future save situations, with Tony Watson, Trevor Rogers and Shaun Anderson standing out as the top alternatives to close out games.

Hudson (1-2) blew the save and took the loss Monday as the Nationals fell 7-6 to Atlanta, giving up four runs on three hits -- including two home runs -- over two-thirds of an inning. He struck out one.

Hudson entered the ninth inning with a three-run cushion, but after he hit Nick Markakis with a pitch to open the frame, Adam Duvall took him deep for a two-run homer, and then Dansby Swanson did the same a few batters later. Hudson has blown two of his last four save chances, with long balls being the issue each time, and as a result he now carries a 7.88 ERA -- although his 1.00 WHIP and 12:2 K:BB through eight innings are far more palatable. If he continues to struggle, however, Will Harris or Tanner Rainey could get into the closer mix for the Nats.

Gsellman lasted only 1.2 innings during Monday's start against the Marlins, allowing one run on three hits and two walks. He struck out one.

The Mets ended up winning 11-4, but Gsellman had no part in the decision. The right-hander did get stretched out to 47 pitches (27 strikes), but if he can't improve his efficiency, it'll be a long time before he's ready to qualify for a win no matter how much run support he gets. Gsellman's next start is scheduled for Saturday at home against the Yankees, but expect another early exit.

Ferguson (1-0) pitched 1.1 innings, allowing a walk and striking out two to earn the win versus the Mariners on Monday.

Offense took center stage in Monday's game, but Ferguson had a clean outing. The Dodgers' five-run rally in the seventh inning made him the pitcher of record for his first win of the season. Ferguson has been strong in a middle-relief role with a 0.96 ERA, 0.75 WHIP, 13:2 K:BB and three holds through 9.1 innings across 10 appearances.

Jansen allowed a hit and a walk while striking out one in one inning to earn the save in Monday's 11-9 win over the Mariners.

Jansen allowed a single to Dylan Moore and then walked Kyle Lewis to put the tying run aboard. The Dodgers' closer retired the next three batters to escape the jam, earning his seventh save of the year. Jansen has a 0.87 ERA and 0.77 WHIP with 13 strikeouts in 10.1 innings.

The Padres plan to call Morejon up from their taxi squad to start Tuesday's game against the Rangers, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

The team has yet to make the move official, but Morejon is in line to make his 2020 debut in Texas. Though Morejon has presumably been throwing regularly since summer camp ended, the Padres likely won't ask him to work deep into Tuesday's start, so he may end up serving as more of a glorified opener in front of a long-relief option like Luis Patino. Morejon struggled in five games for the Padres a season ago, accruing a 10.13 ERA and 2.25 WHIP with nine strikeouts across eight innings.