MLB Player News

Yates tossed a 1-2-3 eighth inning and collected a strikeout in Tuesday's 8-4 win over the Rockies.

Yates has opened the campaign with three scoreless appearances and looks to be the clear top closer in waiting behind Brad Hand. Though Hand was lit up for five runs (two earned) in a big blown save in last Friday's loss to the Brewers, his dominance in 2017 will afford him plenty of security at the back of the bullpen. With that in mind, fantasy owners shouldn't roster Yates in an attempt to mine for saves, but rather to provide strikeout support and ratio stabilization to their pitching staffs in deeper leagues.

Leiter (forearm) had a normal MRI and could start throwing during this homestand, Meghan Montemurro of The Athletic Philadelphia reports.

Since his MRI came back clean, Leiter could be an option to join the rotation in the not-so-distant future. However, No. 5 starter Ben Lively was pretty effective Tuesday, so if he can continue to string together competitive starts, Leiter may be relegated to Triple-A or the bullpen once healthy. Additionally, Jared Eickhoff (lat) will be back at some point, so there could soon be some decent competition for starts at the back of the Phillies' rotation.

Jackson's contract was selected by the Braves on Wednesday.

The Braves are summoning a fresh arm for the bullpen and designating Chris Stewart for assignment in order to clear a 40-man roster spot. Jackson can be electric at times, but his below-average command will limit him to low-leverage situations for now. He has a career 5.64 ERA in 68.2 MLB innings.

Gsellman could be a part of a likely bullpen game for the Mets on April 11 in Miami, Tim Britton of The Athletic New York reports.

Seth Lugo, who was outstanding in two innings of relief Tuesday, is the other name to keep an eye on as a potential starter in that game, with the other pitcher likely piggybacking the start. Jason Vargas (hand) could join the rotation April 13, and if that happens, Lugo and Gsellman would return to full-time long-relief roles. Gsellman has struck out four batters while surrendering two hits in 1.2 innings of relief this year, and could develop into a quality ratio/strikeout play in deeper leagues.

Hand recorded a one-out save in Tuesday's 8-4 win over the Rockies, striking out the lone batter he faced.

Setup man Kazuhisa Makita was tabbed for the ninth inning with the Padres holding a five-run lead heading into the final frame, but the right-hander was unable to keep the Rockies at bay, allowing three of the first five hitters to reach base. Manager Andy Green then summoned Hand from the bullpen to end the threat, with the latter requiring only four pitches to put away pinch hitter Pat Valaika. Hand blew his prior save opportunity March 30 against the Brewers in grand fashion, but one misstep won't loosen his hold on the closer's job much on the heels of a dominant 2017 campaign that netted him a three-year contract extension in January.

Leone blew the save and took the loss on Tuesday, giving up two runs in his 1.1 innings of work as the Cardinals fell to the Brewers 5-4.

Leone had the Brewers down to their last strike but coughed up a 4-3 ninth-inning lead after giving up back-to-back solo home runs to Christian Yelich and Ryan Braun in a wild 5-4 comeback victory for Milwaukee. Leone figures to have the closer job for the time being, but Greg Holland will spell the end of Leone's days in the role once he joins the big-league club.

Hernandez (shoulder) played catch with no pain Monday, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Next up for Hernandez is long toss from 75 feet. The 32-year-old still appears to have significant work to do in order to be game ready, but looks to have avoided any setbacks with the shoulder inflammation thus far. Jared Hughes and Wandy Peralta should continue to serve as the primary setup men to closer Raisel Iglesias until Hernandez is back.

Blach (1-1) allowed six runs on 10 hits and two walks while striking out just two batters through 4.1 innings during Tuesday's 6-4 loss to Seattle.

After holding the Dodgers off the scoreboard through five innings in winning fashion on Opening Day, this was a disappointing follow-up for Blach. The 27-year-old lefty has also struck out just five batters through 9.1 innings in his first two starts, and considering his underwhelming numbers as a starter last year (4.81 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 4.2 K/9), fantasy expectations should probably be kept in check moving forward.

The Diamondbacks recalled Koch from Triple-A Reno on Tuesday, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports.

Koch was optioned to Reno on March 22 but returns to Arizona with third baseman Jake Lamb (shoulder) heading to the disabled list. The 27-year-old brings immediate value to the Diamondbacks' bullpen in desperate need of depth following Monday's 15-inning win over the Dodgers. Koch should typically be utilized in a low-leverage role while he remains in the majors.

Morris was acquired by the Angels on Tuesday in exchange for cash considerations or a player to be named later.

To make room for Morris on the 40-man roster, the Angels designated Troy Scribner for assignment. Morris spent most of the 2017 season at Triple-A Gwinnett, where he logged a 3.09 ERA and 1.31 WHIP over 30 games (46.2 innings). Although he struggled with control and walked 23 batters in that time, the 25-year-old righty managed to log 53 strikeouts as well. Following his acquisition, the Angels assigned Morris to Triple-A Salt Lake.