MLB Player News

Vizcaino tested his shoulder Saturday and still had some soreness, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

The Braves are hoping that a cortisone shot -- which was administered Thursday -- will take effect and allow Vizcaino to be ready for Sunday's series finale against the Orioles. With Vizcaino unavailable Friday, manager Brian Snitker turned to Dan Winkler in the ninth inning, and Winkler failed to convert the save chance. Lefty A.J. Minter has come on strong after a shaky start to the season and could factor into the ninth if Vizcaino is forced to miss additional time.

Hernandez will likely take the mound in place of Jose Urena on Tuesday against the Diamondbacks, Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald reports.

Manager Don Mattingly said that Hernandez will "probably" be the starter, so look for an official confirmation later this weekend. Over 11 appearances with the Marlins this season -- four of which were starts -- Hernandez has logged a 5.12 ERA and 1.55 WHIP with a pedestrian 14:12 K:BB across 31.2 innings. During his latest start, which came against Arizona on June 1, he allowed five earned runs and was chased after just three innings.

Sims was recalled from Triple-A Gwinnett on Saturday, David O'Brien of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Sims will fill a low-leverage role in the Braves' bullpen. In 67 innings for Atlanta over the past two years, the righty has a 5.78 ERA. Preston Tucker was sent down to Triple-A in a corresponding move.

Almonte was optioned back to Triple-A Albuquerque on Saturday, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

Almonte appeared in both of the past two days for the Rockies after being called up earlier this week. During those contests, he allowed two unearned runs off one hit and one walk while striking out one across two innings of relief. Look for him to return to Colorado when the club needs a replenishment of bullpen arms.

Vizcaino has been unavailable the past couple games due to shoulder soreness, Kevin McAlpin of 680 The Fan reports.

Vizcaino is optimistic that he will be able to pitch if needed for Saturday's contest, but it will likely depend on how the 27-year-old feels once he gets to the ballpark. During Friday's loss, Dan Winkler was given an opportunity to close the door on the Orioles and couldn't deliver, so it's unclear if he or A.J. Minter would be in line for the ninth-inning role were Vizcaino deemed unavailable yet again.

Boxberger allowed one run in the 11th inning to blow the save chance Friday, though the Diamondbacks eventual defeated the Pirates 2-1 in 13 innings.

Starting the 11th with a 1-0 lead, Boxberger walked Gregory Polanco and Josh Bell. He was ordered to intentionally walk Austin Meadows after a sacrifice bunt by Josh Harrison. A force attempt and throwing error on the next batter scored the tying run. The blame was mixed in this one, but it still marked Boxberger's second straight failed conversion. Yoshihisa Hirano and/or Archie Bradley might creep into the saves picture should Boxberger's issues continue, though the stopper still has some leash left.

Jansen struck out two in a perfect ninth inning Friday to record his 19th save of the season in a 5-2 win over the Mets.

He's now converted 17 straight save opportunities dating back to late April, and while Jansen's velocity (92.4 mph) and strikeouts (9.3 K/9) remain down overall, the results have been mostly the same as he now has a 2.34 ERA and 0.89 WHIP on the year.

Iglesias struck out one in a perfect ninth inning Friday to record his 12th save of the season in a 6-3 win over the Cubs.

After failing to even get a save chance through the first two weeks of June, Iglesias has now nabbed saves in back-to-back appearances. The right-hander has a 2.30 ERA and 37:10 K:BB through 31.1 innings on the season, and with the reliever trade market beginning to establish itself after Kelvin Herrera was sent to the Nats, Iglesias could well be the next closer to find himself in a new uniform.

Manager Bruce Bochy said he's unsure when Melancon will be ready to pitch on consecutive days but will communicate with the pitcher to work on a plan to build up his durability, Kerry Crowley of the Bay Area News Group reports.

The former All-Star has not lived up to his giant contract with the Giants, mostly due to significant injuries, including a pronator issue that required stem-cell injection treatment. He snagged a save Thursday night but will remain part of a crowded Giants closing committee that also likely includes Sam Dyson (the primary option), Tony Watson and Will Smith, at minimum, with Reyes Moronta possibly factoring in as well. Melancon is worth a pickup in deeper leagues, as long as those snagging him consider him more of a "quarter-closer" than an undisputed main man.

Wittgren (finger) was activated off the 10-day disabled list Friday, Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald reports.

Wittgren hit the disabled list June 2 with a bruised finger and makes his return with Jose Urena heading to the DL with a shoulder injury. The 27-year-old has a 3.06 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and a 17:10 K:BB across 17.2 innings this season, and will likely resume a middle relief role in the Marlins bullpen.