MLB Player News

Almonte fired two scoreless innings in relief as he picked up a hold during Sunday's win against the Rangers. He allowed one hit and no walks while striking out three.

Almonte had a subpar season in 2019 in which he posted a 5.56 ERA and 1.56 WHIP in 34 innings in the majors as he was shuffled between the big leagues and Triple-A Albuquerque. However, he got off to a strong start in his 2020 season debut as he allowed just one baserunner after relieving Kyle Freeland in the seventh inning. Despite his effective outing Sunday, the right-hander's fantasy value is limited as a middle reliever with inconsistent results in the big leagues.

Gott worked around a hit to throw a scoreless ninth inning and earn the save against the Dodgers on Sunday. He struck out one batter.

Tony Watson and Tyler Rogers were widely seen as the top two candidates for ninth-inning duties in San Francisco, but manager Gabe Kapler has handed the ball to Gott for the Giants' first two save chances. Gott has shut the door both times and looked pretty good doing so Sunday, striking out Max Muncy swinging with a 96-mph fastball to end it. Kapler has said that he won't have defined roles, but he tipped his hand this weekend, and with that Gott looks like the arm to roster in fantasy leagues.

Hudson (0-1) allowed four runs across 4.1 innings Sunday, striking out four batters and taking the loss against the Pirates. He walked one batter and gave up seven hits.

Hudson kept Pittsburgh's bats quiet for three innings but allowed homers to Colin Moran and Jose Osuna in the fourth inning. He coughed up one more run on a Josh Bell sacrifice fly in the fifth before being lifted from the game. Hudson will look for better results in Milwaukee against the Brewers next weekend.

Yates (0-1) allowed two runs on two hits and a pair of walks while striking out one over two-thirds of an inning, taking the loss Sunday versus the Diamondbacks.

Yates entered Sunday's contest while it was tied, but after striking out Arizona catcher Carson Kelly, he allowed four of the next five runners to reach base. The two runs Yates allowed were enough to stick him with the loss, despite the Padres' comeback effort in the bottom of the ninth. It's an unusually poor outing for the 33-year-old closer, who posted a 1.19 ERA and 0.89 WHIP across 60.2 innings in 2019. Both of his 2020 appearances have come in non-save situations so far.

Smith (illness) cleared the league's COVID-19 protocols and can rejoin the team, Gabe Burns of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

The veteran southpaw threw a side session in Atlanta on Sunday and figures to require some time before reaching game readiness after missing summer camp with COVID-19. Manager Brian Snitker hopes Smith will be able to join the Braves on their next road trip, which begins Aug. 7, though an earlier return remains possible.

Howard struck out four while recording nine total outs and allowing two runs in an intrasquad game Friday at the Phillies' satellite camp, Meghan Montemurro of The Athletic reports.

He gave up four hits (two singles and two doubles) and issued two walks, so while the strikeout stuff was present, his command could have been better. Vince Velasquez, who gave up four runs in three innings Sunday against the Marlins, could move to the bullpen and be replaced in the rotation by Howard on Friday against the Blue Jays.

Howard is pitching Sunday at the Phillies' alternate training site, Jim Salisbury of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

If fantasy managers want to read into anything, this would line Howard up to make his big-league debut Friday in Toronto, if the Phillies are so inclined. They would have gained an extra year of control by delaying his arrival until then and Vince Velasquez would presumably move to the bullpen.

Gallegos (not injury related) will be activated from the injured list prior to Tuesday's game in Minnesota, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

Kwang-Hyun Kim is 1-for-1 on save chances, but he gave up two runs (one earned) to notch his first save. Gallegos may be behind Kim and possibly Ryan Helsley in the pecking order for saves, but he could eventually wrangle that role if he proves to be the team's most consistent reliever.

Vesia (0-1) gave up two runs on a hit and a walk while striking out one over two-thirds of an inning Saturday to take the loss against the Phillies.

Making his big-league debut, the southpaw got taken deep by Phil Gosselin to break open a 1-1 tie in the sixth inning. Vesia is one of three lefties in the Marlins' bullpen, and given that this was his first career appearance above Double-A, he may not see many high-leverage spots.

Wilson gave up one hit and struck out one in one-third of an inning Saturday to record his second hold of the season in an extra-inning loss to Atlanta.

He was able to face fewer than three batters per MLB's new bullpen usage rules, as his punchout of Ronald Acuna with runners on the corners ended the eighth inning. Wilson is the only southpaw in the Mets' bullpen at the moment, and his ability to handle high-leverage spots should allow him to be a consistent source of holds in the shortened 2020 season.