MLB Player News

Chafin gave up two runs on two hits and two walks over an inning of relief in Tuesday's 8-3 loss to the Braves.

The game was tied at 2-2 entering the top of the seventh inning, but the Braves broke it open against J.J. Hoover and Chafin, who combined to give up three home runs. The last two blasts were back-to-back solo shots given up by Chafin, who hadn't allowed a home run prior to that since his first appearance of the season. It's only the third time in his last 23 outings that Chafin has conceded a run, so despite the poor showing Tuesday, he'll remain locked into a seventh- or eighth-inning role for the Diamondbacks in most contests.

Edwards recorded his 15th hold of the season in Tuesday's win over the White Sox. He pitched a perfect sixth inning with two strikeouts.

Edwards and three other Chicago relievers pitched four scoreless innings in relief of starter John Lackey. Outside of a three-run blowup on Friday, Edwards hasn't been scored on in 8.2 innings this month, and he's recorded 15 strikeouts. The young right-hander should continue to provide good ratios, along with plenty of strikeouts and holds.

Hoover (1-1) gave up four runs -- three earned -- on three hits and a walk while recording just a single out against the Braves on Tuesday.

He entered a tie game in the seventh and promptly sent things spiraling out of control, although catcher Chris Iannetta's throwing error certainly didn't help. Despite a career-best strikeout rate (by far), Hoover's been anything but an asset in his first season as a member of Arizona's bullpen after washing out of Cincinnati last year, as he now owns an atrocious 2.07 WHIP. If he can't improve on that, and fast, he may ultimately find himself cast off the roster.

Pivetta (3-6) coughed up five runs on six hits and a walk over six innings while striking out seven in Tuesday's 5-0 loss to the Astros.

He was locked in a pitcher's duel with Charlie Morton through five innings before things unraveled for Pivetta in the sixth. Although the right-hander continues to maintain a K/9 north of 9.0, he's now given up 17 runs in his last 16.1 innings thanks mainly to his difficulty in keeping the ball in the park -- Tuesday's start was his first since June 15 in which he didn't allow a homer. Pivetta will next take the mound Monday at home against the Braves.

Stewart has been named as the starting pitcher for Wednesday's game against the Twins, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.

Stewart will get his first shot in the Dodgers' rotation this season after spending his time in long relief recently. The 25-year-old was plagued by an illness this weekend but has recovered and will have a 50-to-60 pitch limit during Wednesday's game. He has a chance to stick in the rotation if he performs well.

Estevez was recalled from Triple-A Albuquerque on Tuesday, Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post reports.

He has an 8.10 ERA, 1.86 WHIP and 18 strikeouts in 16.2 innings out of the big-league bullpen, but has been much better at Triple-A (1.78 ERA, 1.11 WHIP). Jairo Diaz was optioned to Triple-A as a corresponding move. Look for Estevez to be primarily used in low-leverage situations.

De La Rosa (shoulder) will make his fourth rehab appearance Wednesday with Triple-A Reno, the Associated Press reports.

It will be the fourth rehab appearance for De La Rosa, who served up three runs (two earned) over an inning of relief in his previous outing Saturday. If De La Rosa is able to turn in a better performance Wednesday, he could be activated from the 10-day disabled list at some point during the Diamondbacks' weekend series with the Cardinals.

Sims could be called up from Triple-A Gwinnett to receive a look in the Braves' rotation at some point during the second half, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

The Braves currently have a vacancy in their rotation following the trade of Jaime Garcia to the Twins on Monday, but it appears Aaron Blair will be first in line for a promotion to the big leagues to fill the void. However, with Blair owning a 5.91 ERA over 70 career innings in the majors, he may not be long for the Braves' rotation. If Blair falters in his expected start Wednesday against the Diamondbacks, the organization could bring in Sims for his big-league debut. Once one of the Braves' top pitching prospects, Sims has seen his stock tumble the last two years, but he has at least noticed a turnaround in his production at Triple-A this season, providing a 3.75 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 124:33 K:BB in 110.1 innings.

Maton was one of several names mentioned to take over as closer for the Padres following Monday's trade of Brandon Maurer, according to Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune.

The 24-year-old has experienced modest success in the majors (3.63 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 9.0 K/BB), so it's not shocking that manager Andy Green is considering him as a potential replacement in the ninth. That said, Brad Hand and Kirby Yates have been more dominant in larger sample sizes this season, so Maton figures to be the underdog in the competition for saves. If Hand is dealt at the deadline as rumored, the rookie reliever would see an increased chance to take over as the Friars' closer down the stretch.

Yates was one of several names mentioned by manager Andy Green as a potential replacement for the recently traded Brandon Maurer, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Brad Hand figures to be the logical choice to fill in as the Padres' closer, but considering his high potential to be moved before the July 31 trade deadline, Yates could find himself closing games in the near future. The 30-year-old has been dominant in San Diego this season, posting a 2.23 ERA and 13.6 K/9 in 32.1 innings. Fantasy owners speculating on potential closers should take a look at the hard-throwing righty.