MLB Player News

Blach struck out three and walked two in Tuesday's no-decision against the Nationals, allowing three runs on four hits in five innings.

Blach pitched rather well in Tuesday's outing, the only major blemish being a three-run homer from Michael Taylor in the fourth. It was only the second homer Blach has allowed in 31.1 innings. The 27-year-old lefty relies on inducing weak contact and control to be effective. The control hasn't been there early on -- his current walk rate (4.0 BB/9) is significantly higher than last year's rate of 2.4 BB/9. We're only six starts into the season, but Blach's walk numbers should garner some attention. With the Giants set to play a doubleheader Saturday, Blach's next start should be a matchup at home against the Dodgers on Sunday.

Peters allowed one run on four hits in a no-decision against the Dodgers on Tuesday, recording four strikeouts and two walks in 5.1 innings.

The only run Peters allowed was on an RBI double by Austin Barnes in the second. It was altogether an encouraging outing, but the Marlins couldn't get much going offensively until late in the game. The left-hander is sporting a 5.84 ERA and 1.58 WHIP to go along with a 16:13 K:BB through 24.2 innings. Peters is slated to take on the Phillies at home for his next start, but may be bumped due to the projected return of Wei-Yin Chen.

Iglesias allowed one earned run on one hit and two walks while striking out one to blow his first save of the season Tuesday against the Braves.

The Reds entered the ninth inning with a 7-3 lead before Amir Garrett allowed a home run, then put runners on second and third before being pulled. Iglesias was called in to shut the door with one out, but he walked two batters before allowing a single that tied the game. Surrendering walks has been a troubling trend for Iglesias this season, as he's now granted seven free passes in 10.1 innings. Despite this trouble finding the zone, he still has a pristine 0.97 WHIP and 1.74 ERA and is 3-for-4 in save opportunities.

Strahm (knee) could return in early May and would enter the Padres' bullpen, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Strahm has made four rehab appearances at Triple-A San Antonio -- topping 40 pitches in each of his first three appearances -- but the Padres don't want to risk trying him as a starter after he threw only 34.2 innings last season due to patellar tendon surgery. The 26-year-old seems likely to make at least a couple more rehab appearances before returning to San Diego.

Manager Dave Roberts said Friday the Dodgers plan to bring back Garcia (elbow) sometime in May, J.P. Hoornstra of the Los Angeles Daily News reports.

Garcia started a rehab stint at Triple-A Oklahoma City on April 12 and has made five appearances thus far as he returns from Tommy John surgery from October 2016. The 27-year-old did not pitch at all in 2017.

Hudson's contract was selected from Triple-A Oklahoma City on Tuesday.

This will mark Hudson's first stint in the majors this year. Last season, Hudson posted a 4.38 ERA and 1.46 WHIP over 71 games with the Pirates (61.2 innings). His control was subpar, as his K:BB sat at 66:33. In a corresponding move, Walker Buehler was optioned to High-A Rancho Cucamonga.

Erceg (head) will receive a couple days off after a pitch struck his helmet Monday, Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Fortunately, it looks like Erceg avoided a serious injury, although he'll receive some time off as a precautionary measure. Once he returns, Erceg will look to continue his strong start to the season at Double-A Biloxi. Over 18 games he's hit .319 with an .820 OPS.

Pivetta's hot start can be traced to a number of improvements in his curveball, The Athletic Philadelphia reports.

The curve has improved in just about every way possible. It's now dropping by 10 inches after dropping just 5.7 inches last year. Its horizontal movement is up from 3.3 inches to 6.3 inches. Pivetta's now throwing it at 80 mph after it averaged 77 mph in the first half of 2017. The changes stem from a change in grip after he decided to copy the spiked grip used by teammate Aaron Nola. Pivetta has also quieted his hands during his windup, which has helped not just the curve but also his overall command, and he's now walking just 3.6 percent of the batters he faces. Pivetta's 2.57 ERA seems at first glance easy to dismiss as a small-sample fluke after his 6.02 ERA last year, but changes in the curve seem to be driving a legitimately improved performance from the young righty, and his 2.28 FIP backs up the idea that he's deserved his excellent results.

Erceg is day-to-day after being struck by a pitch on the helmet in a game with Double-A Biloxi on Monday, according to MiLB.com.

According to the report Erceg "seemed alert and spoke with Shuckers athletic trainer Kevin Creighton before getting to his feet," which provides optimism regarding his status moving forward. Erceg is hitting .319/.385/.435 through 18 games with Biloxi this season.

Fields gave up a hit but worked a scoreless ninth for his first save Monday against the Marlins.

Kenley Jansen worked both games this weekend, leaving him unavailable for Monday's series opener. Fields has been excellent this season, with just one run allowed, and he has now worked six straight scoreless innings to lower his ERA to 0.82. Expect him to be first in line for save opportunities whenever Jansen needs rest.