MLB Player News

Okert was optioned to Triple-A Sacramento on Saturday, John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Okert threw 1.2 scoreless innings (34 pitches) in Friday's loss and would have been unavailable for a couple days, so the Giants decided to swap him out for a fresh arm. The lefty has struggled throughout most of the season, but he will likely be on the shuttle back to San Francisco the next time bullpen reinforcements are needed.

Stephenson was recalled from Triple-A Louisville and will start Saturday against the Marlins.

The Reds made the roster move official, swapping out Ariel Hernandez for Stephenson, who will toe the rubber in place of Scott Feldman (knee). Stephenson has struggled in 21 appearances (eight starts) at the big-league level so far in his career, and he's lost his shine as a former top prospect as a result, but the 24-year-old has been throwing a lot of strikes lately with Louisville (13 walks in 40.1 innings).

Hernandez was optioned to Triple-A Louisville on Saturday.

Hernandez was called up earlier this month to bolster the Cincinnati bullpen, but was rocked for six earned runs in his last outing, Thursday against Arizona. The meltdown skyrocketed his season ERA to 5.28 over 15.1 innings, earning him the honor of being sent down to clear a roster slot for Saturday's starting pitcher, Robert Stephenson. Look for the right-handed reliever to see more opportunities at the Triple-A level and possibly vie for a late-season call-up.

De La Rosa (shoulder), who has made two rehab appearances at Triple-A Reno since landing on the 10-day disabled list July 6, didn't pitch for the minor-league affiliate Friday as expected.

With rain falling Friday in Colorado Springs, Reno's game Friday was called following the top of the eighth inning, which may have explained why the left-hander went unused. There's been no indication that De La Rosa experienced any sort of setback with his shoulder, so the expectation is that he'll pitch for Reno at some point this weekend before potentially returning from the disabled list thereafter.

Koch won't make a spot start Saturday against the Nationals, as the Diamondbacks announced Anthony Banda would instead be recalled from Triple-A Reno to take the hill, Jarrid Denney of MLB.com reports.

Since Taijuan Walker was placed on the paternity list Thursday and isn't due to rejoin the Diamondbacks until Sunday, the Diamondbacks were in need for a spot starter Saturday, with Koch considered one of the leading candidates to fill the void. After being called up from Triple-A in a corresponding move for Walker's placement on the paternity list, Koch went unused out of the bullpen both Thursday and Friday, which would have left him available for Saturday. However, since the right-hander had compiled an 8.47 ERA over 17 innings with Reno, the Diamondbacks evidently weren't comfortable deploying Koch in the rotation on even a temporary basis, so it's likely that he'll head back to the minors Saturday to facilitate Banda's promotion to the big club.

Rodney (4-3) picked up the win Friday against the Nationals after firing a perfect ninth inning. He struck out one.

The veteran closer sat down the side on 12 pitches (eight for strikes), helping him grab the win when Arizona walked off in the bottom half of the frame. Rodney's 5.23 ERA isn't the prettiest thing to look at, but Friday's outing marked his third straight scoreless appearance. With no reinforcements in sight and 22 saves on the season, it doesn't seem like Rodney is on the hot seat at this time.

Hoffman (6-2) surrendered seven runs on nine hits and four walks over three-plus innings while striking out two in Friday's 13-5 loss to the Pirates.

Nothing was working for the 24-year-old in this one, and Hoffman now has a rough 8.44 ERA, 1.88 WHIP and 7:7 K:BB in 16 innings over his last three starts. Even on the road, as he will be in his next outing Wednesday in St. Louis, the right-hander is a very risky fantasy play right now.

Banda will be recalled from Triple-A Reno to start Saturday's game against the Nationals, Sarah McLellan of The Arizona Republic reports.

A previous update suggested Banda would join the club Tuesday as the Diamondbacks shuffle up their rotation in the wake of Taijuan Walker's placement on the paternity list, but the 23-year-old will instead make his MLB debut Saturday in order to keep the rest of the starting staff on normal rest. Banda has struggled in 18 starts for Triple-A Reno this season, posting a 5.08 ERA and 1.43 WHIP, but it's worth noting that the Pacific Coast League is notoriously hitter friendly. Nonetheless, Banda will make for a weak streaming option against a powerful Nationals lineup, and probably won't be in line for a lengthy stay with the Diamondbacks with Walker due back Sunday.

Banda will make his major-league debut Saturday against the Braves.

The 23-year-old will get his first taste of the majors after spending over a year with Triple-A Reno. Throughout the course of the 2017 season, Banda has posted a 5.08 ERA with a 1.43 WHIP in 101 innings of action. His 4.11 FIP isn't spectacular and he's been giving up a home run every nine innings, but Banda has profiled as one of the top pitching prospects for Arizona all season, and will finally get a chance to shine at the big-league level.

Hand didn't allow a run in an inning of work while converting his 15th hold of the season in Thursday's 5-2 win over the Giants.

The dominant lefty danced around three base runners to extend his scoreless streak to 14.1 innings. Hand has been a great source of holds while helping fantasy owners' ratios. The 27-year-old's name has been involved in several trade rumors, but a move away from pitcher-friendly Petco Park likely won't alter his value much, as his elite 4.4 K/BB and 1.44 ERA on the road indicate that could pitch successfully in any venue.