MLB Player News

Pivetta won't start any of the Phillies' first five games, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

Pivetta lines up as the Phillies' top alternative should the team need an additional starter, at least until top prospect Spencer Howard is deemed ready to go. He could have had a chance to earn at least one start early with Zach Eflin battling back spasms throughout camp, but Eflin has been deemed ready to go, so Pivetta will head to the bullpen for now.

Kelley was added to the Phillies' Opening Day roster Thursday.

Kelley had been designated for assignment back in January but had his contract selected Thursday. He's unlikely to get anywhere near high-leverage work this season, as he's thrown just 8.1 career big-league innings and owns an 8.64 ERA in that small sample.

Smith was designated for assignment by the Reds on Friday.

Smith remains part of the team's player pool, but his chances of playing a significant role this season are reduced now that he's no longer part of the 40-man roster. His chances were likely slim to begin with, as he's a 30-year-old with a career 6.39 ERA in just 12.2 big-league innings.

Shafer was designated for assignment by the Reds on Friday.

The 27-year-old retains his spot in the team's 60-player pool, but he's no longer a member of the 40-man roster. Shafer made 34 appearances for the Blue Jays last year and had a 3.86 ERA, 1.66 WHIP and 39:25 K:BB over 39.2 innings, but he won't be beginning 2020 with a major-league opportunity.

Rogers (0-1) was charged with the Opening Day loss at Dodger Stadium on Thursday, surrendering four runs on three hits while recording just two outs.

With one out under his belt in the seventh, it all went downhill for Rogers after Mookie Betts singled and sparked a five-run rally, including a double from Cody Bellinger and a two-run single from Enrique Hernandez. Despite the loss, the 29-year-old is certainly in the conversation for saves this year. Rogers posted a 1.02 ERA and 0.85 WHIP across 17 appearances a season ago.

Kolarek (1-0) picked up an Opening Day win against the Giants on Thursday after tossing 1.2 perfect innings with a pair of strikeouts.

Kolarek did not allow any hits or walks while throwing 10 of 14 pitches for strikes en route to his first win of the season. Formerly a left-handed specialist, the southpaw had no trouble retiring both sides of the plate despite MLB's new rule requiring pitchers to face at least three batters or pitch to the end of the half-inning.

Melancon is still expected to serve as the Braves' primary closer to begin the season, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

O'Brien reiterated that the Braves always intended for Melancon to start the season as the primary closer, even before Will Smith was placed on the COVID-19 IL earlier this month. "They said that from the day they signed Smith," O'Brien said. Smith was not part of the announced Opening Day roster and the Braves don't know when they will get the lefty back, so Melancon could take on an even larger share of the ninth-inning duties early on.

Neris (illness) was activated from the injured list Wednesday.

The Phillies placed Neris on the injured list early in summer camp and it was later revealed that he was on the COVID-19 list, specifically. It was never revealed whether Neris contracted the virus himself, but Neris was cleared to join camp July 6 and faced hitters last week, so it seems he should be fine to return to the closer role for Philadelphia to begin the 2020 campaign.

Bednar is included on the Padres' 30-man roster.

Bednar had been on the bubble for a spot on the active roster, and the Padres confirmed his spot with the big-league club Thursday. The right-hander posted a 6.55 ERA and 1.36 ERA over 11 innings in his first major-league stint last season, though five of the eight earned runs he allowed came in his final outing.

Reyes did not make the cut for the Padres' 30-man roster.

Reyes was never in serious contention for a spot in San Diego's exceptionally deep bullpen. He'll open the season at the team's alternate training site, though it's not out of the question that he could pitch in the majors this year.