MLB Player News

Duran tossed five scoreless frames Sunday for Low-A Kane County in its 3-2 loss to Peoria. He gave up one hit and one walk and struck out four.

Duran's full-season debut was delayed until May 4 while the Diamondbacks deliberately kept him on ice at extended spring training, likely in an effort to limit his innings load. The 20-year-old has thus far impressed in his four outings in the Midwest League, delivering a 3.00 ERA and 0.89 WHIP while striking out 18 over 18 innings. The 6-foot-5 righty is one of the higher-upside arms in the lower rungs of the Arizona farm system but is probably at least two years away from getting a look in the majors, even if he continues to perform at a high level.

Garcia was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Sunday, MLB.com reports.

Garcia served as the Dodgers' 26th man for Game 2 of Saturday's doubleheader with the Nationals, tossing 1.1 innings in relief and giving up a run. With the Dodgers getting Tony Cingrani (shoulder) back from the 10-day disabled list Sunday, there wasn't any room left for Garcia in the Los Angeles bullpen.

Neris tossed a clean eighth inning Sunday against the Cardinals, striking out one batter.

The outing came with the Phillies down by four runs. High-leverage pitchers do sometimes receive such outings, especially when they hadn't pitched in several days, as was the case for Neris on Sunday. Still, it's now been 10 days since he received a save chance, with Edubray Ramos and Seranthony Dominguez each grabbing a save in that time period. Phillies manager Gabe Kapler has quickly earned a reputation as a tinkerer, so it's certainly possible that Neris will find his way back to the ninth inning later in the season, but there's currently little reason to believe that the next several save chances will go his way.

Hicks fired a scoreless 1.1 innings in a win over the Phillies on Sunday, issuing two walks, uncorking a wild pitch, and recording a strikeout. Two of his sinkers to Odubel Herrera hit 105 mph, Joe Trezza of MLB.com reports.

Overall, the five pitches that Hicks fired against Herrera were the five fastest thrown this season as per Statcast, as the other three clocked in at 104.3, 104.2 and 103.7 mph. The 21-year-old's amazing ascent from High-A to the majors continues, as he's now generated scoreless appearances in nine of his last 10 trips to the mound.

Fields tossed 1.1 scoreless innings while walking one and striking out two en route to his second save of the season in Sunday's 7-2 win over Washington.

Fields entered the contest with the Dodgers up 5-2 in the eighth inning, and he stayed in to close out the game after the club tacked on two more in the top of the ninth. Closer Kenley Jansen was unavailable after notching two saves in Saturday's doubleheader, so manager Dave Roberts turned to his primary setup man for the second time this season. With Jansen seemingly over his early season struggles, Fields' future save chances will be limited to rare situations like Sunday's.

Blach didn't factor into the decision against the Rockies on Sunday, scattering eight hits and giving up four earned runs over 4.1 innings, striking out one and walking two as the Giants eventually prevailed 9-5.

This marked the third straight outing in which the left-hander has failed to make it five innings, coming off a stretch where he had done so for six straight starts, and his ERA moved up to 4.37 over 57.2 innings following his latest shaky effort. His strong start to the season was intriguing, but he's been trending in the wrong direction, and the .295 batting average opponents are posting against him this season suggests he's having a hard time consistently fooling opposing hitters. His 27:19 K:BB also doesn't inspire a great deal of confidence. He'll look to get on track in his next start, which will pit him against the Cubs in a road matchup next Sunday.

Minter (3-0) tossed one inning and gave up one run on two hits while striking out two as he picked up the win Sunday against the Marlins.

Minter came away with the win despite allowing a run in the top of the ninth inning. The 24-year-old left-hander has been a solid option out of the bullpen through 21 appearances this season, as he sports a 2.84 ERA with 18 strikeouts, six holds and two saves.

Gsellman tossed 1.2 perfect innings and struck out three during Sunday's win against Arizona as he nabbed his first save of the season.

Gsellman was deployed with one out in the eight and recorded the last five outs of the ballgame as he slammed the door for his first save on the year -- he'd blown three save opportunities earlier in the season. The 24-year-old right-hander has been a reliable option out of the bullpen for the Mets thus far, sporting a 2.76 ERA and 1.19 WHIP to go along with 28 strikeouts across 29.1 innings.

Hand walked two batters but pitched a scoreless ninth inning to record the save Sunday against the Pirates.

Hand entered the game in the ninth inning with a three-run lead and allowed the tying run to reach base. However, he did enough to secure a Padres win for his 14th save in 16 tries this season. He remains secure in his role but has struggled with his walk rate as he has now allowed 4.81 BB/9 in 22 appearances.

Venditte was recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City on Sunday.

The ambidextrous reliever will return to provide some depth to a bullpen that was forced to go a full nine after Rich Hill (blister) left two pitches into Saturday's nightcap. Look for Venditte to head back down early next week to make room for a starter.