MLB Player News

Hand was charged with a blown save after surrendering a game-tying home run in Tuesday's loss to Oakland.

The dominant closer was tagged for a solo shot off the bat of Stephen Piscotty, which opened the door for the Athletics to win the game in the 10th frame. Hand was touched up for two runs in a non-save situation his last time out, but he has been otherwise effective this season, owning a 2.43 ERA and a career-best 13.1 K/9 while converting 21-of-24 save opportunities. His role as the Padres' closer remains unchallenged, outside of the occasional scenario where manager Andy Green uses him in crucial moments prior to the ninth inning.

Jansen struck out a batter over a clean inning en route to his 18th save of the season in a 4-3 win over the Cubs on Tuesday.

Jansen closed out the first game of a doubleheader, and he was seen warming up in Game 2, although he wasn't used in the extra-inning loss. The 30-year-old endured what seemed to be early-season fatigue following last season's World Series loss, and now owns a 2.41 ERA and 0.92 WHIP over 33.2 innings. Jansen's strikeout rate (9.0 K/9) hasn't fully recovered, but that's the only critique left in what looks to be another dominant campaign from the elite closer.

Koch (5-4) allowed five runs on seven hits in a loss to the Angels on Tuesday, issuing two walks and failing to record a strikeout in 5.2 innings.

Koch surrendered a pair of solo home runs to Ian Kinsler and Kole Calhoun, but the major damage came on a bases-loaded single by Mike Trout that plated three runs. In three of his last five starts, Koch has allowed five earned runs, but the other two outings were quality starts. Overall, the 27-year-old has a 4.40 ERA and 1.20 WHIP with a 38:17 K:BB in 71.2 innings. As Shelby Miller and Robbie Ray near a return to the Arizona rotation, Koch may be on the brink of losing his starting role.

Rodriguez (2-1) struck out six and did not walk a batter in a win over the Marlins on Tuesday, allowing three runs on seven hits in five innings.

All six of Rodriguez's strikeouts were finished off with swinging strikes, and he went on to throw 92 pitches (60 strikes) in the outing. In five appearances (four starts), Rodriguez has a 4.56 ERA and 1.52 WHIP with two quality starts and a 22:6 K:BB in 23.2 innings. He'll face off against the Padres at home in his next scheduled start.

Hicks (3-1) earned the win Tuesday over the Phillies, striking out two and allowing one hit across 1.1 scoreless innings. He did not walk a batter.

Hicks entered in the eighth inning with two outs and runners on first and second with a chance to secure his second save of the season, but gave up a two-run double to Rhys Hoskins to tie the game. Matt Carpenter gave the Cardinals back the lead in the top of the ninth with a solo home run, allowing Hicks picked up the win with a clean frame. The flame-throwing right-hander now has a 2.13 ERA and 1.08 WHIP with 31 strikeouts over 38 innings this season -- 15 of those strikeouts have come in nine June innings.

Wilson (1-2) blew the save and took the loss in Game 1 of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Dodgers, allowing two earned runs on two hits and a walk over an inning of work.

Wilson got the save opportunity with Brandon Morrow (back) unavailable, and he couldn't shut the door. The lefty was within one out of escaping with the save, but pinch hitter Kyle Farmer delivered a two-run double to put Los Angeles up 4-3. Wilson still carries a solid 2.73 ERA, and he could get additional save opportunities if Morrow has to miss any extended time, though Steve Cishek and Pedro Strop figure to be in the mix from the right side, too.

Johnson was recalled from Triple-A Sacramento on Tuesday.

Johnson will rejoin the Giants' bullpen as a long man following Hunter Strickland's placement on the 10-day disabled list Tuesday with a broken right hand. Johnson owns a 5.46 ERA over 31.1 big-league innings this season.

Suero was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse on Tuesday, Mark Zuckerman of MASN Sports reports.

Suero has a solid 3.63 ERA in 17.1 innings for the Nationals this season. He'll return to Triple-A but is likely to be one of the first pitchers called upon if the Nationals need another reliever in the near future.

Bowman was placed back on the 10-day disabled list with blisters on his right middle finger.

Bowman had only very recently been activated from another stint on the DL with the same issue, coming back to the Cardinals on Friday. He had a pair of good outings before giving up two runs to the Phillies on Monday. The reliever is dealing with Raynaud's Syndrome, affecting the blood flow to his fingers, Jim Hayes of FOX Sports Midwest reports. The Cardinals will hope that an injection treatment successfully manages the issue and allows Bowman to make a longer run with the team. Greg Holland was activated from the disabled list in a corresponding move.

Mayers fired two scoreless innings in an extra-inning loss to the Phillies on Monday, issuing a walk and recording three strikeouts. He owns a 5.40 ERA across 6.2 innings since being recalled from Triple-A Memphis on June 8.

Manager Mike Matheny put Mayers right to work upon his return, and he's already called on the right-hander on six occasions over the last 10 days. As his ERA implies, Mayers has been a mixed bag over that span, having allowed a total of four earned runs over half of those appearances and generating scoreless efforts in the other three. Mayers has worked 22.2 innings over 18 big-league outings overall this season, and he figures to continue shuttling between the minors and the Cardinals as needed. With 86 minor-league starts under his belt, the 26-year-old can also be called for a spot start in a pinch.