MLB Player News

Howard will start Game 2 of Sunday's doubleheader against the Braves since Vince Velasquez was confirmed as the starter for Game 1.

It was already known that Howard would make his major-league debut Sunday, but which game he would start was unconfirmed until the Phillies released their lineup for the matinee. Howard, one of the top pitching prospects in baseball, will still need to be added to the 40-man and major-league rosters following Game 1. A strong performance in his debut could secure a longer-term place in the starting rotation.

Martin (elbow) threw three innings and about 50 pitches in an outing at Arizona's alternate camp, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports.

Martin's fastball velocity reportedly lived in the 92-95 MPH range. The right-hander, one of the players acquired from Houston in the Zack Greinke trade, underwent Tommy John surgery last July.

Gott earned his fourth save of the season Saturday against the Dodgers after pitching a scoreless ninth inning. He allowed one walk.

Gott is now 4-for-4 in save opportunities this season, and the 27-year-old right-hander has gone four straight outings without allowing runs, fanning two and walking two in that stretch. The strikeout numbers aren't eye-popping but he's getting the job done, and that should keep him as the Giants' closer for the foreseeable future.

Hoffman (2-0) earned the win Saturday against the Mariners. He allowed one hit and one walk while striking out two across three scoreless innings.

Hoffman has made two appearances out of the bullpen this season, tossing scoreless outings and earning the win in both. He should remain in a long-relief role after missing out on a rotation spot. This was his first appearance since Aug. 3 -- he could be in line for a more regular role if he keeps pitching like this.

Voth didn't factor into the decision during Saturday's 5-3 loss to the Orioles, scattering two hits and a walk over five scoreless innings while striking out five.

The O's didn't even get a runner into scoring position off Voth until the fifth inning, and the right-hander was in line for his first win of the season until the bullpen melted down in the eighth. Voth now sports a 1.80 ERA and 7:1 K:BB through 10 innings, and he'll look to get into the win column in his next outing, a road clash with the Mets on Thursday.

Castano (0-1) was charged with five runs (four earned) on five hits over 4.1 innings in a loss to the Mets on Saturday. He struck out four and issued one walk.

A 19th-round pick by the Cardinals in 2016, Castano was traded to Miami a few years back in the Marcell Ozuna deal. His services were needed at the major-league level after the team's COVID-19 outbreak, and while Castano did not embarrass himself, he did serve up a couple homers. His role moving forward is not entirely clear and his arm is just not electric enough to warrant much attention in fantasy leagues anyway.

Iglesias struck out two in a perfect ninth inning against the Brewers on Saturday to earn his second save of the season.

Iglesias made quick work of Milwaukee's 2-4 hitters to close the door, his third straight scoreless appearance. The right-hander had 12 losses last year and an ERA north of 5.00 in non-save situations, but he looks like a different pitcher when he has a lead to protect. Michael Lorenzen has been struggling (11.81 ERA) and is not a serious threat to Iglesias' job right now.

De Leon was optioned off the Reds' roster Saturday.

De Leon will remain with the team as part of the taxi squad for now. He endured quite a tough time in his lone appearance this season, allowing eight runs in 1.2 innings against Cleveland on Thursday. Joe Kuhnel was recalled in a corresponding move.

Kuhnel was recalled by the Reds on Saturday.

Kuhnel had been dealing with a shoulder issue back in spring training, but that's evidently not still bothering him. Kuhnel will likely start out in a low-leverage role for the Reds, as he's thrown just 9.2 career major-league innings.

Venditte's contract was selected by the Marlins on Saturday.

Venditte is ready to go just nine days after joining the team on a minor-league deal in late July. The 35-year-old ambidextrous pitcher owns a career 5.03 ERA across 68 big-league innings.