MLB Player News

Hand struck out one in a clean ninth inning to earn the save against the Cardinals on Tuesday.

Hand retired the Cardinals on 12 pitches (eight strikes) to pick up his 20th save on the year. Hand has now converted his last 14 save opportunities, giving up only two runs and nine hits across 20.2 innings in that span. The lefty holds a superb 1.83 ERA and 0.96 WHIP, and is holding opponents to a .158 batting average. His 20 saves are tied for third in the majors.

Strahm threw three hitless innings against the Cardinals on Tuesday, striking out four and walking zero in a no-decision.

Making his second consecutive start this season -- and third overall -- Strahm made quick work of the Cardinals' hitters on 36 pitches (25 strikes). Strahm's starts have essentially been bullpen games with him leading the way, and Tuesday's three-inning performance was his longest of the campaign. It remains to be seen if Strahm will start another game in the immediate future with starter Colin Rea (lat) projected to return to the rotation soon.

Barraclough earned the save Tuesday, recording one strikeout in a clean ninth inning against the Giants.

Barraclough is now 3-for-3 in save opportunities since taking the closer job from Brad Ziegler. The 28-year-old has a 1.23 ERA and 0.82 WHIP with 30 strikeouts across 29.1 innings this season. The right-hander has allowed only nine hits but has struggled with his control at times -- 15 walks allowed -- although he's been better in that regard lately with only three walks over his last 11.2 innings.

Richards (1-3) earned his first career MLB win against the Giants on Tuesday, giving up one run on only two hits over six innings. He struck out two and walked three.

Richards has managed to last longer than five innings only twice this season, and totaled only five strikeouts across 13 innings in said starts. The 17 walks in 34.2 innings this season remain problematic for the 25-year-old, but he's managed to put together some quality outings when keeping his pitch count under control. Richards has a 4.41 ERA and 1.38 WHIP with 30 strikeouts in seven starts, and is lined up for a solid matchup at Baltimore on Sunday.

Miller (elbow) will start for High-A Visalia on Saturday, Jack Magruder of The Sports Xchange reports.

Miller has already made a trio of rehab starts so far, allowing 10 runs while striking out 18 across 12.2 innings during those outings. He's set to make at least two more rehab appearances before potentially being activated from the 60-day disabled list, lining him up for a return near the end of June if all goes well. Zack Godley, Matt Koch and Clay Buchholz are all pitching reasonably well, but it seems likely that the Diamondbacks will find room in the rotation for Miller.

Ferguson was recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City and confirmed as the starter for Tuesday's game against the Rangers, Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times reports.

As expected, Ferguson was summoned from the minors ahead of his second big-league start. The young lefty struggled mightily in his first start with the Dodgers earlier in the month, allowing four runs on two hits and three walks across 1.2 innings.

Ottavino (oblique) will be evaluated Wednesday and could be activated from the disabled list as soon as Thursday, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

Ottavino was placed on the DL in late May with a left oblique strain. He threw a live batting practice session Tuesday and now appears to be very near his return. Prior to his injury, the veteran righty was posting incredible numbers, recording an 0.95 ERA and a 45.5 percent strikeout rate in 28.1 innings.

Lopez was promoted to the majors Tuesday.

Lopez will take the bullpen spot that formerly belonged to Matt Albers, with the veteran hitting the disabled list with a shoulder issue. Previously for the Brewers this season, Lopez pitched 10.1 innings with a 4.35 ERA and an 8:6 K:BB. He'll fill a low-leverage role for Milwaukee.

Rodriguez is listed as the Giants' probable starter for Thursday's game against the Marlins, MLB.com reports.

After shutting down the Phillies at home in his first MLB start June 3, Rodriguez scuffled in his follow-up effort Saturday in Washington, failing to escape the third inning and surrendering five runs on six hits and three walks. Despite that rough showing, Rodriguez will be given a prime rebound opportunity against a Marlins offense that ranks last in the majors with a .288 wOBA. With Jeff Samardzija (shoulder) expected to begin a minor-league rehab assignment Thursday or Friday and likely to require two outings on the farm before returning from the 10-day disabled list, Rodriguez should be in store for one more start beyond Wednesday if he fares respectably in the outing.

Strahm will serve as the Padres' starting pitcher as part of a bullpen game Tuesday against the Cardinals, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

With Joey Lucchesi (hip) still on the disabled list and not set to begin a minor-league rehab assignment until Thursday, it appears the Padres will go with bullpen games for at least the rookie lefty's next two turns through the rotation. Strahm has already made two starts in place of Lucchesi, topping out at 2.1 innings (30 pitches) in his most recent outing June 6 against the Braves. Strahm could handle around three innings Tuesday, but it seems unlikely that manager Andy Green will push him much deeper into the game than that with former rotation members Robbie Erlin and Bryan Mitchell available in long relief.