MLB Player News

Barraclough (back) is expected to be activated off the 10-day disabled list Friday, Andre Fernandez of the Miami Herald reports.

The Marlins will be getting one of their top bullpen arms back after Barraclough's stint on the disabled list due to a lower back issue. The hope is that Barraclough can recapture his first-half form considering his disastrous second-half numbers include a 22.20 ERA with three home runs allowed and six walks over just 5.2 innings.

Hernandez (2-7) allowed three earned runs on three hits and two walks while striking out two across three innings to take the loss Thursday against the Braves.

Hernandez was called upon for a spot start in the wake of Jose Urena's suspension. Not stretched out, he was expected to only last 70-to-80 pitches. However, his leash became even shorter after he allowed two home runs -- one in the second inning and one in the third. He'll likely be shifted back to the bullpen for his next appearance, and he's been much more effective in that role by allowing only two earned runs across his last 12.2 innings.

Yates (4-3) took the loss and blew his first save of the year Thursday, allowing a two-run home run and striking out two in 0.2 innings in the 4-3 loss to the Rockies.

Yates saw his ERA jump from 1.82 to 2.16 after Ian Desmond took him deep Thursday. The 31-year-old righty is now 5-for-6 in save chances this season and should still have a good hold on San Diego's closer job.

Smith earned his 11th save Thursday, striking out one batter while working around a walk in a scoreless ninth inning of the 3-1 win over the Mets.

Smith has converted his last four save chances, bringing him to 11-for-13 in 2018. He's also thrown five straight scoreless outings and dropped his ERA to 1.91. As long as he continues this level of production, it appears Smith has a firm grasp on the closing job in San Francisco.

Hernandez, who will start Thursday's game against the Braves, is expected to be limited to around 70-to-80 pitches, Joe Frisaro of MLB.com reports.

Hernandez, a Rule 5 selection, has made five starts for the Marlins in his debut season, but none since June 26. He's since proven useful in a long-relief role for Miami, accruing a 1.15 ERA and 0.89 WHIP in 15.2 innings over his last 11 appearances. Because he isn't stretched out enough to handle a starter's workload, Hernandez will have a short leash Thursday, which could hurt his chances of factoring into the decision even if he performs well. Hernandez will likely head back to the bullpen following the start with Jose Urena (suspension) on track to rejoin the rotation next week.

Alexander gave up a solo home run while striking out one over an inning in Wednesday's 3-1 loss to the Cardinals.

Alexander was unable to protect a one-run lead in the eighth inning after serving up a solo homer to pinch-hitter Tyler O'Neill. The southpaw was one of several Dodgers relievers to falter as closer while Kenley Jansen was sidelined over the past couple of weeks, and the latter's return will push Alexander back into a setup role against left-heavy portions of the lineup.

Sewald recorded the final two outs of the ninth inning Wednesday, one via strikeout, to pick up his first career save in a 5-3 win over the Giants.

The Mets' closer situation remains a mess, as four different pitchers (Sewald, Robert Gsellman, Seth Lugo and Jerry Blevins) have notched the team's last four saves. Sewald's 4.68 ERA and 1.4 HR/9 would make him a volatile ninth-inning option even if the team did commit to him in the role, but given the competition and the circumstances, Wednesday's save chance could easily end up being his last of the year despite the successful conversion.

Hicks struck out the side in a perfect ninth inning against the Dodgers on Wednesday en route to his fifth save of the season.

Regular closer Bud Norris had pitched Monday and Tuesday in the first two games of the series, notching saves in both appearances, leaving Hicks to close things out in the finale. Hicks, who has the highest average pitch velocity in baseball, sits with a 3.08 ERA and 1.20 WHIP through 64.1 innings this season. The 21-year-old should continue to get chances when Norris is unavailable.

Jansen (0-5) gave up a go-ahead, two-run home run Wednesday to take the loss to St. Louis.

Called upon to pitch the top of the ninth in a tie game, Jansen allowed a single to Jedd Gyorko before Paul DeJong launched one to put the Cardinals ahead for good. It was the third homer allowed in the span of just nine batters for Jansen since his return from the disabled list (irregular heartbeat). While he may not be in peak form right now, Jansen is probably not in any real jeopardy of being removed from the ninth-inning role, even temporarily. He will almost certainly continue to close so long as he's on the active roster.

Richards didn't factor into the decision in Wednesday's 9-3 win over the Yankees, allowing two runs on three hits and three walks over 5.1 innings while striking out nine.

Despite the solid line, Richards was actually headed for his eighth loss of the year before the Marlins broke out for five runs in the sixth inning to take him off the hook. The rookie hasn't completed six innings in any of his last four starts, and he'll carry a 4,23 ERA into his next outing, another tough matchup on the road against the Red Sox on Wednesday.