MLB Player News

Hand picked up the save Wednesday, tossing 1.1 perfect innings while striking out two in a 5-0 win over the Giants.

Hand was summoned in the top of the eighth to protect a four-run lead with two runners on and the potential tying run on deck, allowing him to barely meet the qualifications for a save opportunity. The dominant lefty breezed through the final four batters of the game while picking up his 14th save of the season. The former starter has pitched in multiple innings 16 times this season, giving Hand a slight edge over more-conventional closers who generally aren't available for more than one frame.

Blach will stick in the rotation after Johnny Cueto (forearm) returns from the disabled list Friday, MLB.com's Chris Haft reports.

Blach may have felt like he was pitching for his rotation spot in Wednesday's loss to the Padres, but he will avoid a demotion to the bullpen with the Giants deploying a six-man rotation going forward. The rookie didn't pitch particularly well, taking his fourth consecutive loss while allowing three runs on five hits with two walks and just one strikeout over 5.2 innings. The soft-tossing lefty has surrendered six home runs in his last four starts after posting a league-best 0.7 HR/9 over his previous 19 outings. Blach's next start will be pushed back to next Tuesday, but the scheduling change will not get him out of a dangerous matchup on the road in Colorado.

Montero (3-9) held the Reds scoreless over 8.1 innings Wednesday, striking out eight while allowing three hits and four walks to collect the victory.

His line looked even better before the ninth inning, as Montero let the Reds load the bases and finally got the hook for closer A.J. Ramos. This ranks as the best outing of the year by far for Montero -- the only time he's cleared eight innings and the only scoreless start he's put up. Of course, he had to throw 117 pitches to do so, thanks in no small part to those walks; free passes have been an issue all year for the 26-year-old. Montero is averaging a strikeout per inning this year, but he's also sitting on a 4.6 BB/9, which has contributed strongly to his hefty 5.12 ERA.

Leiter (2-4) took the loss in the second game of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Braves, allowing three runs on nine hits and a walk over 6.2 innings while striking out six.

It's the rookie's second straight quality start and third of the season in only six starts total. Leiter's 3.88 ERA is a bit of a mirage, as he's given up six unearned runs through 65 innings, but his 57:25 K:BB is respectable and he could be a useful streaming option in his next outing Monday on the road against the Mets.

Vizcaino gave up a run on one hit and struck out three in 1.1 innings of work to collect his ninth save of the season in the second game of Wednesday's doubleheader sweep over the Phillies.

Jose Ramirez walked the bases loaded in the eighth inning, forcing Vizcaino to enter the game a bit early and strike out Cameron Rupp to end the threat, only for Hyun Soo Kim to triple with one out in the ninth and score on a sac fly. The righty's now been scored upon in consecutive appearances for the first time all season, but his 2.79 ERA and 9.9 K/9 suggest he should quickly right the ship.

Kontos (groin) played catch and threw off the slope of a mound Wednesday, Bill Brink of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Kontos was hoping for a minimal stay on the 10-day DL, but he's progressing a little slower than expected. The reliever is eligible to return from the disabled list whenever he's ready, but seeing as Wednesday was his first time throwing off the slope of a mound since landing on the disabled list, he'll need a little more time before rejoining the big-league bullpen.

Stewart will start Game 1 of Saturday's doubleheader against the Padres, Andy McCullough of the Los Angeles Times reports.

The Dodgers need an extra starter for Saturday's doubleheader, so Stewart will get the ball for his fourth spot start of the season. He was tagged for five runs on four hits and four walks through two innings during his last start, and he's now allowed nine runs over his last 7.1 innings (two starts, one relief appearance) with the big club. He still owns a respectable 3.38 ERA through 24 major-league innings this season. With rosters set to expand at the beginning of September, Stewart will most likely stick around with the Dodgers, though it's fully expected that he'll transition to the bullpen.

Suter (shoulder) will make a rehab start Wednesday for Low-A Wisconsin, Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

It's expected that Suter will only require one rehab appearance before returning from the 10-day disabled list. If Suter is in fact activated following the outing with the Low-A club, he probably wouldn't be available for the Brewers until next week, at which point he could reclaim a spot in the rotation. The Brewers plan to recall Brandon Woodruff from Triple-A Colorado Springs when a fifth starter is required Saturday against the Nationals, but if he falters in that start, Suter could end up replacing him the following week. Matt Garza, who has submitted a 6.32 ERA and 1.76 WHIP in eight starts since the All-Star break, is another starter who could be at risk of surrendering his rotation spot to Suter.

Rodney gave up a run on two hits in the ninth inning Tuesday while striking out one but still came away with his 33rd save of the season in a 7-6 win over the Dodgers.

He's now a perfect 11-for-11 on save chances in the second half, posting a 2.57 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 19:5 K:BB in 14 innings since the All-Star break. Rodney will have his nervous moments, but given his current pace the veteran closer looks like he'll have a shot at his third career 40-save season.

Moore (4-13) gave up five runs on eight hits with just two strikeouts while taking the loss against the Padres on Tuesday.

Four of Moore's five runs came via the long ball, and he now owns a career-worst 1.4 HR/9 over 154 innings. The 28-year-old looked to be turning his atrocious season around with a 2.21 ERA over his previous three starts, but Tuesday's loss in a favorable matchup reminded fantasy owners that they should steer clear of the inconsistent southpaw at all costs.