MLB Player News

Hoffman was recalled from Triple-A Albuquerque and will start Tuesday against the Diamondbacks, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

The right-hander will start Tuesday after Jon Gray (ankle) was a late scratch. The severity of Gray's injury is unclear. Hoffman's appearance will likely only be a spot start unless Gray is forced to miss a second turn through the rotation. Hoffman carries an ERA of 6.57 in eight starts at the major-league level this year.

Kimbrel (knee), who is with the Cubs on this current road trip, is expected to throw another bullpen session later this week and thinks he could be activated in a few days if everything progresses as planned, Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

He won't be activated when first eligible Wednesday, but it sounds like he could return this weekend against the Pirates. In the meantime, Pedro Strop is the de facto closer in this injury-depleted bullpen.

Weigel was optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett on Tuesday.

Weigel is still yet to make his major-league debut (he did not make an appearance after being recalled Aug. 9). The right-hander carries an ERA of 2.96 with 42 strikeouts in 51.2 innings pitched at the Triple-A level this season. Outfielder Rafael Ortega was promoted to the majors in a corresponding move.

Estevez (personal) worked around one hit and one walk to record a scoreless ninth inning in Sunday's win over the Padres. He struck out one batter.

After German Marquez went eight strong innings, Estevez pitched the final frame in an 8-3 Colorado victory. It was Estevez's first appearance back after he spent a week on the family medical leave list. Estevez is averaging nearly 98 mph on his fastball, and his 27.2 percent strikeout rate is tied for the best mark on the team. He'd have a case to step into the closer role if Scott Oberg were to lose the job.

Lambert didn't factor into the decision against the Diamondbacks on Monday, giving up three earned runs on four hits over five innings, recording one strikeout and walking five in an 8-6 defeat for the Rockies.

Lambert fared better in this contest than he did in his last start when he was rocked for nine earned by the Astros, but he was still erratic with his control in issuing five free passes. The rookie now sports a 6.75 ERA, a 1.60 WHIP and a 42:21 K:BB through his first 60 big-league innings. He'll take the mound next in a home matchup against the Marlins on Saturday.

The Giants optioned Menez to Triple-A Sacramento on Monday, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

San Francisco will need to break in two new back-end rotation members this week after Menez was optioned and Shaun Anderson (finger) was placed on the 10-day injured list. Menez' first two starts in the big leagues were encouraging, but he struggled mightily in Sunday's 9-6 win over the Phillies, lasting just 1.2 innings while ceding three runs on two hits and three walks.

Suter (elbow) threw two scoreless innings in a game with Triple-A San Antonio on Sunday.

Suter has steadily advanced through the Brewers' minor-league ranks while on the recovery path from Tommy John surgery, and he has reached what figures to be the final step of his rehab assignment. Suter has not yet thrown more than two innings nor 27 pitches in any of his five rehab appearances, so he figures to pitch in the minors at least a few more times. Barring any setbacks, though, it's looking like he will be an option for the big club at some point before the season comes to a close.

Kelly is expected to get occassional save opportunities down the stretch as the Dodgers look to preserve Kenley Jansen with an eye toward the postseason, Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Manager Dave Roberts said he will give Jansen scheduled days off over the final seven weeks of the season. Kelly and Pedro Baez are the two pitchers expected to get opportunities in the ninth inning when Jansen is unavailable. While Kelly didn't get off to a great start to the year, he has a 1.66 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, 32 strikeouts, four wins and one save in 21.2 innings since the start of June.

Jansen will be given more scheduled days off in an effort to prepare him for the playoffs, Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Manager Dave Roberts indicated that he has spoken with Jansen about reducing his workload as he tries to right the ship and put an end to his recent struggles. Jansen will retain the closer position but will yield save opportunities on scheduled off days to other relievers, with Joe Kelly and Pedro Baez first in line for such chances. With the Dodgers firmly in control of the National League West, they have plenty of room to tinker with their bullpen as they gear up for another World Series run. This includes taking steps to get Jansen back on track, as he has blown two of his last five save opportunities and has posted a career-worst 3.74 ERA in 45 games this season.

Diaz struck out two but gave up a two-run home run in an inning of relief during Sunday's loss to the Nationals.

The Mets were already down by a run when Diaz took the mound in the ninth inning, but he dug the hole deeper. Manager Mickey Callaway has repeatedly refused to name anyone else as his closer, but he said Sunday that Seth Lugo would be getting regular save chances moving forward, per Anthony DiComo of MLB.com. "I think you always have to be open for adjustments," Callaway said. "The season is going to change. Guys are going to be effective at times, not effective at times. At this point, the sample sizes aren't that small anymore. I believe that guys have earned a right to do something until they haven't." Diaz has definitely un-earned a spot in the ninth inning -- he's managed only one scoreless outing in his last six appearances, and since the beginning of July he has a 7.62 ERA and 1.69 WHIP over 13 innings despite maintaining a 14.5 K/9.