MLB Player News

Howard was named the Phillies' Minor League Co-Pitcher of the Month for April, the Phillies' official site reports.

Howard was selected by the Phillies with the 45th overall pick in the 2017 draft. Through his first five starts for Low-A Lakewood this season, Howard has a 3.68 ERA and a 2.45 xFIP. He's striking out an impressive 36.0 percent of batters while walking just 4.5 percent. The 21-year-old is a potential back-end starter, with average command of a mid-90s fastball and two average secondaries (a slider and a changeup).

The Marlins optioned Peters to Triple-A New Orleans on Thursday, MLB.com reports.

After losing his rotation spot Monday following Dan Straily's (forearm) activation from the 10-day disabled list, Peters briefly transitioned to a long-relief role, giving up two runs on three hits over one inning in his first appearance out of the bullpen Wednesday against the Phillies. Given that the Marlins still view the lefty as a starter over the long haul, he was never expected to stick around in a bullpen role for an extended period, so his assignment to New Orleans isn't a surprise. Peters will work out of the rotation for the Baby Cakes after skipping the Triple-A level entirely while making the jump from Double-A Jacksonville to the majors last September.

Jansen pitched a clean ninth inning to record the save Thursday against the Diamondbacks.

Jansen didn't allow a baserunner for just the second time in 13 appearances this season and earned his fifth save in seven opportunities. His velocity had rebounded in his first two May outings, but it dipped once again Thursday while pitching for the third time in as many days. Though still not pitching to expectations, Jansen's results are on an upward trajectory as he has allowed only one earned run over his past six appearances.

Garcia was called up from Triple-A Oklahoma City on Thursday.

Garcia will add some extra depth to the Dodgers' bullpen, though it's unlikely that he will see any time in high-leverage situations since the right-hander hasn't appeared in a major-league game since 2016. During seven games with Oklahoma City this season, Garcia has posted a 3.86 ERA and 1.14 WHIP over seven innings of relief.

Leone notched his fourth hold in a win over the White Sox on Wednesday despite allowing an earned run on a hit and a walk over one-third of an inning.

Tasked with preserving a 3-0 lead after taking over for Carlos Martinez with one on and one out in the eighth, Leone got his outing off to a rocky start by walking Yoan Moncada and allowing an RBI single to Yolmer Sanchez. He subsequently yielded a sacrifice fly to Jose Abreu before getting the hook, which narrowed the Cardinals' lead to just one run. Leone had been on an impressive run prior to Wednesday's stumble, as he'd generated eight scoreless appearances over his previous nine trips to the mound.

Jansen allowed a run on a hit and a walk but still converted his fourth save Wednesday against Arizona.

Jansen hadn't seen a save opportunity since April 22 as the Dodgers have struggled mightily in late April and early May. Over the 12 days between saves, Jansen appeared just twice. Perhaps he was rusty given the time between appearances, but the run he allowed Wednesday probably wouldn't have scored in a closer game. With two outs, the Dodgers allowed Daniel Descalso to take second base on fielder's indifference, and he scored on the lone hit in the inning. Jansen owns a 5.40 ERA but is largely carrying the weight of his first two outings of the season, in which he allowed four of the seven runs he has allowed thus far. It's not up to his usual standards, but Jansen has a much better 2.79 ERA in 10 outings since.

Sewald (0-2) took the loss Wednesday against the Braves, giving up three runs on five hits over three innings of relief while striking out two.

The right-hander entered the game in the fifth inning of a 0-0 tie after Jacob deGrom exited with a hyperextended elbow, but Sewald wasn't able to have the same kind of success. He'd allowed only three earned runs in 13.2 innings prior to Wednesday, and Sewald's 19:2 K:BB on the season remains strong, so he should continue to have fantasy value in deep leagues as a long reliever capable of providing solid ratios and strikeouts.

Suarez will make his next start in Sunday's series finale with the Braves, Andrew Baggarly of The Athletic Bay Area reports.

Suarez originally lined up to take the hill Monday, but he'll slide up a day to allow Jeff Samardzija to get a bit more rest after Samardzija missed the beginning portion of the season. Suarez will now be in line for a two-start week after a stellar showing in Tuesday's contest. He'll take on the Braves in a road matchup, potentially opposite Atlanta youngster Mike Soroka.

Smith (elbow) was reinstated from the disabled list prior to Wednesday's game against San Diego, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Smith appeared in six minor-league rehab outings over the past couple weeks and looks fully operational after undergoing Tommy John surgery in March of 2017. The left-hander figures to pitch in high-leverage spots within the Giants' bullpen after posting a 3.35 ERA and 1.21 WHIP over 40.1 innings of work split between San Francisco and Milwaukee in 2016. In a corresponding move, the club optioned Austin Slater to Triple-A.

Hicks reclaimed the title of hardest thrower in baseball by hitting 102 mph Tuesday against the White Sox, MLB.com reports.

The Marlins' Tayron Guerrero held the title for one day after hitting 101.8 mph Monday, but the crown was back with Hicks within a day. His 1.17 ERA through 15.1 innings fits the profile of someone who can hit 102 mph, but his 6.71 xFIP is fitting for someone who had never pitched above High-A. His low ERA seems more related to luck than anything else, as he's allowed just a .182 BABIP and is stranding 87.5 percent of runners. Somehow, despite his impressive fastball, he's struck out just 10.5 percent of batters faced, and he seems to have no idea where his pitches are going, posting a 19.4 percent walk rate. His minus-9 percent strikeout minus walk rate is second-worst among pitchers who have thrown at least 10 innings. He's an exciting talent, but all the signs seem to point to heavy regression with the ERA.