MLB Player News

Yates (ankle) threw batting practice Wednesday, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

This is a big step for the reliever, as it marks his first time throwing on a slope since injuring his ankle 10 days ago. Yates won't return in time for Wednesday's contest, but coming back for Friday's series opener with the Diamondbacks isn't out of the question.

Sims could make a spot start Thursday in place of the injured Anibal Sanchez (hamstring), Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Sims was recalled over the weekend to act as a long reliever, but he has primarily been a starter in his career. He has yet to make an appearance in the majors this year, but he held the opposition scoreless in his lone start for Triple-A Gwinnett. If he does pick up Thursday's start, he would face off with Mets righty Matt Harvey.

Jackson was outrighted to Triple-A Gwinnett on Wednesday, MLB.com reports.

Jackson went unclaimed off waivers after the Braves designated him for assignment earlier in the week, so he'll remain a part of the organization as a long reliever at Gwinnett. The right-hander made just two appearances with the Braves this season before being dropped from the 40-man roster.

Biddle was called up to the majors Wednesday.

Biddle will replace Jose Ramirez in the bullpen after Ramirez was placed on the disabled list with shoulder inflammation. Biddle was a first-round pick by the Phillies back in 2010 but suffered a long run of bad luck, including a hailstorm-related concussion in 2014 and Tommy John surgery in 2015. Converted to a reliever post-surgery, Biddle tossed 49.2 innings with a 2.90 ERA in 2017 for Double-A Mississippi and has yet to give up a run in 6.1 innings for Triple-A Gwinnett so far in 2018.

Hicks notched his second hold in a 5-3 win over the Cubs on Tuesday, firing a scoreless seventh inning.

The hard-throwing rookie surprisingly failed to record a strikeout, but that doesn't mean he wasn't razor sharp. Hicks fired 10 of his 12 pitches for strikes while setting down the dangerous trio of Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo and Willson Contreras. The 21-year-old's ERA remains unblemished on the season, as the sole run he's allowed was unearned.

Jansen blew his second save of the season Tuesday, giving up two runs on two hits and a walk while striking out two over an inning in an eventual win over the Padres.

Just when it looked like the closer had moved on from his early struggles, he turned in another poor performance. Jansen got the velocity on his cutter back up to the 92-93 mph range in his last outing, but the pitch Eric Hosmer smacked over the fence registered at just 89 mph, according to Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register. The 30-year-old has now blown two saves in four chances after converting 41 of 42 save opportunities last season. There is obvious cause for concern, but there are no reports of an injury, and the closer stated that he "will find it." Jansen's impressive track record should afford him a long leash as the team's ninth-inning man, so he should remain a strong source of saves even if his ERA and velocity aren't close to his career norms.

Garcia (1-0) tossed five scoreless innings en route to a win Tuesday against the Yankees, allowing one hit and five walks with two strikeouts.

Garcia was effective from the very start, taking a no-hitter into the fifth inning before Miguel Andujar doubled to break it up. He set a new career high in walks as he threw just over half his pitches for strikes, but some timely outs helped keep the hosts off the board. This was the latest in a series of strong efforts for Garcia, who has gone at least five innings with no earned runs allowed in three of his four starts this season. He now owns a microscopic 0.86 ERA through 21 innings and will look to keep it rolling Monday against the Dodgers.

Neris (1-1) got the win Tuesday, pitching a scoreless inning and striking out two against the Braves.

Neris entered in the ninth inning in a tie game and was the beneficiary of a four-run Phillie 10th. The 28-year-old still has a bloated 5.40 ERA thanks to a poor Opening Day performance, but he remains firmly entrenched as the ninth-inning man for rookie manager Gabe Kapler.

Alzolay will make his 2018 debut for Triple-A Iowa on Thursday, Carrie Muskat of MLB.com reports.

Alzolay was optioned to Double-A Tennessee in early March but has since been building his arm strength to a starter's workload in extended spring training. The 23-year-old only logged 32.2 innings at the Double-A level. The right-hander could see the major-league roster in 2018 if he showcases himself well at Triple-A, but that seems unlikely until later this summer.

Pivetta (1-0) allowed one run on five hits over five innings and struck out two in Tuesday's win over the Braves. He did not factor into the decision.

Pivetta labored a bit, needing 98 pitches to make it through five innings and wasn't missing many bats with a season-low two strikeouts. That aside, the 25-year-old still turned in another strong outing and has a sterling 16:0 K:BB in 12.2 innings his past three starts. Pivetta will need to go deeper into games going forward to really pay dividends for fantasy owners -- he's made it through six innings in just one of his four starts -- but he's now got a 2.49 ERA and it's tough not to take notice. He'll look to keep rolling in his next start Sunday against Pittsburgh.