MLB Player News

Richards (3-5) earned the win by holding the Padres scoreless through five innings of work Sunday, allowing just one hit and two walks while striking out eight.

Richards retired the first four batters before walking Hunter Renfroe in the second inning. He kept San Diego's bats quiet until the third with a bunt single to Austin Allen, which turned out to be his only hit allowed of the night. The right-hander then worked through a 28-minute delay as an exterminator removed a swarm of bees from a microphone behind home plate. The interruption did little to disrupt his flow; Richards pitched one of his best games of the year to pick up his second straight win and first on the road while recording a career-high eight strikeouts. His changeup looked as effective as ever, with 30 of 37 thrown for strikes. The 31-year-old has scattered five runs over his last four starts and will carry a 3.53 ERA and 1.24 WHIP into his next start Saturday against Atlanta.

Strahm (2-5) was charged with the loss against the Marlins on Sunday after surrendering seven runs on seven hits and no walks while striking out five through 4.1 innings of work.

It was a disappointing setback for Strahm, who had fired 10 strikeouts against Yankees in last outing. Unfortunately, the 27-year-old couldn't find the same stride against the Marlins as he ended his streak of seven straight quality starts. Of his seven hits allowed at Petco Park, two came from home runs: one as a two-run homer Jorge Alfaro in the second inning, and the other as a solo shot to Garrett Cooper in the third. Of course, a 28-minute bee delay in the third inning didn't help, nor did the lack of offensive support from his teammates. On the bright side, the left-hander didn't walk anyone and punched out five. He'll carry a 4.03 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 56:11 K:BB into his next start against the the Nationals on Saturday.

Pivetta completed six scoreless innings against the Dodgers on Sunday but did not factor into the decision. He allowed three hits and no walks while striking out nine.

Pivetta dominated the vaunted Dodgers lineup but did not garner any support from a Phillies offense that was stymied by opposing starter Rich Hill. Nonetheless, this was by far the best appearance of the year for Pivetta, who entered the game in danger of losing his spot in the rotation after posting a 7.71 ERA through his first five starts. The nine strikeouts and six innings pitched were season highs for the 26-year-old, and Sunday marked the first time this season that he did not issue a walk. With another start almost certainly secured, Pivetta will face the Reds on Saturday in his next scheduled outing.

Hicks was removed from Sunday's save opportunity against the Cubs with one out and two batters on, with John Gant coming in to get the last two outs to get the save, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Though Hicks didn't get a chance to finish the inning, it doesn't appear that a role change is necessarily coming, judging from manager Mike Shildt's quote after the game. "Johnny has done a nice job for us," Shildt said. "Jordan will be fine. Couple of nights -- two days in a row and a day off, maybe not as sharp. Wanted to get a different look." As Shildt alluded, Hicks pitched both Thursday and Friday, including two innings Friday.

Pomeranz may end up starting next weekend against the Dodgers, Kerry Crowley of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Manager Bruce Bochy said Saturday that Pomeranz's next turn through the rotation would be skipped, but he clarified Sunday it may only be pushed back a couple days if the lefty goes unused out of the bullpen. The 30-year-old has struggled massively over his last four starts with a 19.16 ERA and 3.29 WHIP over 10.1 innings.

Lambert could be called up for his major-league debut sometime this week, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

Lambert looked good at big-league spring training this year but hasn't carried that success into the minor-league season. The 22-year-old has a 5.07 ERA, 1.58 WHIP and 51:16 K:BB through 60.1 innings at Triple-A Albuquerque.

Wilson (elbow) will throw a bullpen session Monday, Matt Ehalt of Yahoo Sports reports.

Wilson began a throwing program over a week ago and is now prepared to move forward with his recovery. Though there's been no word on whether he'll need a rehab assignment in the minors, Wilson is moving close to a return early in June assuming he suffers no setbacks.

Reyes is in the discussion to enter the Cardinals' starting rotation as early as next weekend versus the Cubs, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports. "Wouldn't rule it out," manager Mike Shildt said Sunday, regarding Reyes' potential promotion next weekend.

Reyes was officially transferred to Triple-A Memphis to start Sunday after spending the previous couple weeks at High-A Palm Beach while recovering from a finger injury. The young right-hander has thrown only three innings in the majors this season after starting the year in a bullpen role before he was quickly sent down to the minors.

Nelson will be called up from Triple-A San Antonio to start Wednesday's game versus the Marlins, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Nelson lined up to pitch Tuesday with the Missions, so it makes sense for him to slot into the rotation Wednesday with Jhoulys Chacin (back) and Gio Gonzalez (arm) on the injured list. Nelson will make his long-awaited return to the majors after missing almost 21 months with the shoulder issue. The 29-year-old was activated off the IL on May 24 but was optioned to Triple-A and ended up making one more start with San Antonio. Nelson was in the midst of his best major-league season with a 3.49 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 199:48 K:BB through 29 starts before suffering the shoulder injury late in 2017.

The Giants optioned Coonrod to Triple-A Sacramento on Sunday.

Coonrod had been working in a low-leverage role out of the bullpen after being called up from Triple-A on May 26, appearing in three games and giving up one run over three frames. With the Giants in need of an extra catcher (Aramis Garcia) while Buster Posey remains day-to-day with a hamstring injury, Coonrod became an expendable piece.