MLB Player News

Weathers struck out eight while walking zero and surrendering two earned runs on five hits in six innings in his second start of the year for Low-A Fort Wayne.

Weathers has a 17:0 K:BB in 11 innings to start the season, flashing more upside than the pre-draft scouting report would have indicated. Part of his dominance stems from a highly advanced ability to fill up the zone while also limiting hard contact. The Padres are pretty aggressive with prospect promotions, so Weathers could soon be sent to the California League for more of a challenge.

The Dodgers optioned Chargois to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Thursday.

The Dodgers will swap Chargois out for a fresh relief arm in Jaime Schultz, who was recalled from Oklahoma City in a corresponding move. Chargois was used out of the bullpen each of the past two days in the Dodgers' ongoing series with the Cardinals, giving up two runs on two hits and a walk over 1.2 innings in those outings.

Rodriguez (1-2) allowed two runs on four hits while striking out five and walking one in a loss to the Padres on Wednesday.

The 26-year-old was very sharp, but the solo homer he allowed in the sixth proved to be the difference. The Padres added an insurance run against the Giants' bullpen to win 3-1. Thanks in large part to only allowing one walk through three outings, Rodriguez has an excellent WHIP, but he's lagging behind in the other categories. He is 1-2 with a 4.15 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 12 strikeouts in 17.1 innings. His next start is expected to be against the Nationals.

Pivetta (1-1) allowed seven earned runs on seven hits and three walks while striking out six across 3.2 innings to take the loss Wednesday against the Nationals.

The Nationals got to Pivetta early in the game; the first four batters of the game reached base against him, resulting in three runs. However, he did settle down until the fourth inning, when Anthony Rendon delivered a bases-loaded double to score three more and end Pivetta's night. It's been a tough start to the season for him, as he now has a 9.45 ERA and 2.18 WHIP across 13.1 innings of work.

Iglesias struck out the side without allowing a baserunner to earn his first save of the season Wednesday against the Marlins.

Iglesias entered the game in the ninth inning with the Reds up one run and needed just 14 pitches to secure his first save of the season. He had allowed at least one earned run in each of his first three appearances of the season, racking up two losses in the process. Manager David Bell has been clear that Iglesias won't be used strictly in the traditional closer role this season, but Iglesias still looks pretty clearly like the top option for saves in Cincinnati.

Richards allowed one hit and five walks while striking out seven across six scoreless innings Wednesday against Cincinnati. He did not factor into the decision.

Richards was a bit wild but also generated an impressive 21 swinging strikes and surrendered only one hit, a single in the bottom of the first. The start was also notable as his first road outing of the season, and while the Reds' lineup has struggled to start the season, it was still encouraging to see him perform well in a more hitter-friendly environment. To date, Richards has recorded a quality start in each of his efforts this season and has struck out 18 batters in 18 innings of work.

Avila will be called up from Double-A Amarillo to start Thursday's game against the Diamondbacks, Dennis Lin of The Athletic reports.

Avila spent time in major-league camp this spring but his promotion comes as a bit of a surprise considering he spent all of 2018 at High-A Lake Elsinore. The 22-year-old allowed one run on two hits over six innings during his lone start with Amarillo this season. It could be a brief stay in the majors for Avila, as the Padres simply want to provide Chris Paddack with an additional day of rest, according to Lin.

Yates got the save against the Giants on Wednesday, working around a hit and a walk to hurl a scoreless ninth inning and close out the Padres' 3-1 victory. He struck out one.

It wasn't smooth sailing for the right-hander, who allowed the tying runs to reach base, but he worked his way out of the jam to record a game-ending strikeout and bag his seventh save of the season. While this wasn't his sharpest outing, Yates is off to a great start, as he's given up just one run in his eight appearances and has been making the most of his opportunities with the Padres playing in a lot of close games at the outset of the season.

Neris earned a hold in a game the Phillies eventually lost Tuesday against the Nationals, throwing a scoreless eighth innings while walking two and striking out one.

With six outs remaining and a one-run lead, it was clear Neris would get called on at some point, as David Robertson was unavailable and Seranthony Dominguez had already been used. Manager Gabe Kapler elected to use his most trusted remaining reliever in the eighth inning with the second spot in the order due up. Neris got the job done despite walking Brian Dozier and Juan Soto, but Edubray Ramos went on to blow the save against the bottom of the order. Neris' usage confirms that he remains one of Kapler's favorite arms but also serves as a reminder that being a trusted reliever doesn't always lead to save chances with these Phillies. Expect a similar pattern of usage going forward.

Collins was called up by the Cubs on Wednesday, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.

Collins joined the Cubs late in camp after spending most of the spring with the Twins. He had a 4.37 ERA in 22.2 innings of relief for the Nationals last season. The lefty specialist takes the roster spot vacated by Jon Lester, who hit the injured list with a hamstring injury in a corresponding move.