MLB Player News

Santillan will open the year at Double-A Chattanooga, Jonathan Mayo of MLB.com reports.

Santillan, who turns 22 on April 15, logged a 3.61 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 61:16 K:BB in 62.1 innings (11 starts) at Double-A to close out last season, so it seemed possible that he might be assigned to Triple-A this year. We should expect him to have success in a return to Double-A before earning a promotion to Triple-A sometime this summer.

The Braves optioned Wilson to Triple-A Gwinnett on Thursday.

With Kevin Gausman (shoulder) slated to return from the injured list to start Friday's game against the Marlins, Wilson will be the odd man out from the Braves' rotation. Wilson likely sealed his fate with a poor showing in his lone outing March 30 in Philadelphia, when he lasted just 3.1 innings while serving up four runs on five hits and four walks. The move to the minors temporarily puts a cramp on the right-hander's fantasy outlook, but his power arsenal will make him an intriguing speculative pickup when he eventually earns a call back to Atlanta.

The Braves activated Minter (shoulder) from the 10-day injured list Thursday.

After his left shoulder responded well to a bullpen session earlier in the week, Minter will re-enter Atlanta's late-inning mix ahead of Thursday's series finale with the Cubs. Manager Brian Snitker said earlier in the spring that he envisions playing matchups in ninth-inning situations this season and mentioned Arodys Vizcaino and Minter as the main candidates to pick up saves. Assuming the Braves are comfortable with how Minter looks coming off the injury, he could be worth grabbing on speculation if he's out there on the waiver wire.

Jansen picked up the save against the Giants on Wednesday, firing a scoreless ninth inning without allowing a baserunner and logging one strikeout to nail down a 5-3 victory for the Dodgers.

It's been business as usual for the dominant righty at the outset of 2019, as Jansen has now converted all three of his save opportunities, while allowing just one hit and one walk across his four innings of work. He remains one of the most reliable closers in baseball and is a good bet to top the 35-save mark this year, as he has in each of the last five seasons.

Minter (shoulder) said Tuesday's live bullpen session went well and is on track to be activated from the injured list when eligible Thursday, Kevin McAlpin of 680 The Fan Atlanta reports.

Minter also said his shoulder feels good and he appears slated to be activated Thursday with Bryse Wilson packing up his locker following Wednesday's game. The 25-year-old had the left shoulder tightness crop up at the start of March, but it looks as though he will escape by missing only the first five games of the season.

Vizcaino walked one and struck out two in the ninth inning to earn his first save of the season Wednesday against the Cubs.

Amidst concerns about the health of his shoulder, Vizcaino managed to secure the win for the Braves. He did labor a bit, requiring 19 pitches to retire the side and hitting the strike zone with 12 of them. He was sitting at 96 mph with his fastball, about two ticks below his average velocity from last season.

Richards (0-1) allowed three earned runs on five hits and three walks while striking out seven across six innings to take the loss Wednesday against the Mets.

Richards stumbled in the second and third innings, surrendering three extra-base hits in that span, including a home run to opposing pitcher Jacob deGrom. However, he was fairly sharp thereafter, allowing just two batters to reach base in his final three innings of work. Richards has recorded a quality start in each of his two outings to begin the season and he's whiffed 11 batters in 12 innings of work.

Diaz recorded only one out to earn his third save of the season Wednesday against the Marlins.

Diaz got Curtis Granderson -- who represented the tying run -- to fly out to end the game. He was called in after the Luis Avilan and Robert Gsellman allowed a combined four runs to the Marlins in the ninth inning. Diaz already has three saves this season, pitching just 2.2 innings to earn them.

Robertson (0-1) took the loss in Wednesday's 9-8 game against the Nationals as he gave up a hit and three walks while failing to record an out.

Robertson's season has gotten off to a disastrous start as he has allowed four runs over two innings, and has given up at least one run in each of his three appearances. Wednesday's performance was especially unsightly, as he served up a leadoff single before walking the next three hitters to end the game. The 33-year-old will need to straighten things out if he is going to be in the mix for regular save chances for the Phillies.

Dominguez was charged with a blown save against the Nationals after allowing two runs (one earned) on two hits during the eighth inning Wednesday. He recorded two strikeouts and did not walk a batter.

Dominguez may have been working in a setup role but nonetheless gets the blown save as he was unable to hold a two-run lead during the eighth inning. David Robertson's early-season struggles continued; he entered with the game tied during the ninth and gave up a hit and three walks, including a bases-loaded walk to end the game. Robertson's issues could lead to increased ninth-inning chances for Dominguez, but he should continue to be a high-leverage option for the Phillies, regardless.