MLB Player News

Vizcaino worked around a hit and used a strikeout to record a scoreless inning for his first save Monday against the Phillies.

Vizcaino has had just two save opportunities despite Atlanta's nine wins this season, and he blew the first chance. He owns a 2.35 ERA but has been wild at times, with six walks in 6.2 innings. The talent is obvious for Vizcaino, who already has nine strikeouts, but the question is if he can be consistent enough to succeed as closer.

Suter (1-2) allowed three runs on six hits over five innings with four strikeouts in a loss Monday to the Reds.

Suter has been steady for the Brewers, allowing between one and four runs and recording either 15 or 16 outs in each of his four starts thus far. That's all the Brewers are asking from him, but it makes him a tough sell as a fantasy asset, as even when he pitches well enough to win, he may not last long enough to factor into the decision. He was singled to death Monday, as he didn't walk a batter and gave up just one extra-base hit -- a double -- but it wasn't enough to keep the floodgates from opening in a three-run second inning.

Gott was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse on Monday, Byron Kerr of MASN Sports reports.

Gott was sent down to make room for Jeremy Hellickson, who was activated in order to make his first start of the season. The 25-year-old threw five innings for the Nationals before being sent down, striking out three, walking three and allowing three earned runs on three hits. He could be up again later this season in a low-leverage bullpen role.

Mayers was optioned to Triple-A Memphis on Monday.

It's Mayers' second time being optioned this season, this time for the return of Luke Gregerson (hamstring) from the disabled list. The 26-year-old has allowed one run on five hits and a walk in five innings for the Cardinals so far this season. He's clearly right on the fringes of the active roster and could be up for an extended time later this season when another reliever gets injured, though he's unlikely to move from a low-leverage role.

Koch was one of four Triple-A Reno pitchers that Diamondbacks assistant general manager Jared Porter mentioned as potential replacements in the rotation for Taijuan Walker (forearm), who was placed on the 10-day disabled list Sunday, Zach Buchanan of The Athletic Arizona reports.

Walker will undergo an MRI on Monday as the Diamondbacks look to determine the severity of his forearm tightness in addition to a potential return timetable, but the right-hander's placement on the DL means that he'll miss at least one turn through the rotation Friday or Saturday against San Diego. In addition to Koch, Porter said that Braden Shipley, Albert Suarez and Kris Medlen -- all of whom are members of the Reno rotation -- could fill Walker's place, though the latter two seem to be less likely candidates due to their lack of 40-man roster spots. Shipley, who carries a 1.59 ERA and 1.18 WHIP through three turns at Reno, has more prior starting experience in the big leagues but has been hit hard, which could prompt the Arizona brass to give Koch a trial. After serving in long relief for the big club before getting demoted earlier this month, Koch shined in his first start of the season with the Triple-A team Friday, tossing six scoreless frames.

Bracho gave up a run on three hits and a walk and struck out seven batters over three innings of long relief in the Diamondbacks' 7-2 loss to the Dodgers on Sunday.

Summoned from Triple-A Reno earlier Sunday following Taijuan Walker's (forearm) placement on the 10-day disabled list, Bracho gave the Diamondbacks some quality innings out of the bullpen after starter Zack Godley put the team in an early hole before getting pulled in the fifth inning. Despite facing 11 fewer batters than Godley, Bracho outpaced the starter in swinging strikes, 10-9, on the afternoon. Bracho's 60-pitch workload will likely keep him unavailable for the next couple of days, but his strong showing Sunday may have nonetheless afforded him a longer stay in the Arizona bullpen than was initially expected.

Beede will head to Triple-A Sacramento following Sunday's matchup with the Padres, John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Beede allowed five runs on six hits and three walks while striking out six across 3.2 innings Sunday as he took the loss against San Diego. After making two starts for the Giants, he'll be sent down to Triple-A. Jeff Samardzija is expected to be ready for his regular-season debut the next time through the rotation, which prompted the move.

Leiter (forearm) will throw a bullpen session Monday, Jim Salisbury of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

Although Leiter seems to be making solid progress rehabbing his forearm, it's unclear how he'll be used when he comes off the disabled list. While the Phillies could opt to use him at the back end of their rotation instead of Ben Lively, Leiter may be assigned to the bullpen once healthy. Over 27 games (90.2 innings) last season, 11 of which were starts, Leiter threw to the tune of a 4.96 ERA and 1.33 WHIP.

Bracho was recalled from Triple-A Reno on Sunday.

Bracho will provide bullpen depth for the Diamondbacks while the team decides on an extra starter to replace Taijuan Walker (forearm), who was sent to the disabled list in a corresponding move. Bracho is off to a shaky start at Triple-A so far, allowing five earned runs on seven hits in his first three appearances. The right-hander finished last year with a 4.08 ERA at the Triple-A level (33 games).

Arano has retired all 16 batters he's faced so far this season, Matt Gelb of The Athletic Philadelphia reports.

Through his first five appearances, Arano has a 50 percent strikeout rate and a zero percent walk rate. Exactly half of his pitches have been fastballs while the other half have been sliders, and batters haven't been able to do anything with either pitch. Despite his early dominance, Arano is being used in a lower-leverage role than every Phillies pitcher except for mop-up man Jake Thompson. If he keeps being unhittable, he'll likely climb his way up to a larger role, but he'd have to pass six other relievers in order to reach the top of the closer depth chart. He certainly looks like someone who could get save chances at some point in his career, but those opportunities are unlikely to come this season.