MLB Player News

Smith (elbow) was able to play catch Sunday, Andrew Baggarly of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

It's great news for the southpaw reliever, as this marks the first time that Smith has been able to play catch since undergoing Tommy John surgery in March. The 28-year-old obviously still has a ways to go in his rehab, but this is certainly a positive first step in his lengthy recovery.

Neris gave up a solo homer to Jed Lowrie before finishing the ninth inning and earning his 21st save of the season in a 5-3 win over the Athletics on Saturday.

Lowrie's bomb was the only hit Neris conceded, though he also plunked Mark Canha with a pitch before inducing a game-ending grounder. Neris has now allowed solo homers in consecutive appearances, but he still hasn't blown a save opportunity since June 21. The 28-year-old sports a respectable 3.19 ERA to go along with his 72 strikeouts through 67.2 innings this season.

Rodney pitched a scoreless ninth inning to collect his 38th save of the season in Saturday's win over San Francisco.

The veteran has now converted 16 of 17 save opportunities in the second half, so while there have been a few hiccups over the course of the year, Rodney remains the go-to option in the ninth inning for the D-backs. His 4.50 ERA isn't paying the fantasy bills, but faithful fantasy owners have been rewarded with a respectable 1.19 WHIP and a rock-solid 10.2 K/9 to go along with his 38 saves.

Jansen pitched a perfect ninth inning against the Nationals on Saturday to earn his 38th save of the season.

He retired the side in order, getting two outs via groundballs and one via a pop foul, to preserve the win for starter Rich Hill. Jansen had given up six hits combined in his last three appearances entering play Saturday, but he still hasn't blown a save since July 23, and that's his lone blown save this season. The 29-year-old remains an elite fantasy closer.

Rodney struck out one in a perfect ninth inning Friday to collect his 37th save of the season in a 3-2 win over the Giants.

The veteran righty hadn't pitched since last Saturday's blown save -- his first since early July -- and the rest appeared to do Rodney a world of good. With the D-backs holding a five-game lead on the Rockies for the first wild-card spot in the NL and with the Dodgers having all but clinched the NL West, there's little incentive for the club to push its 40-year-old closer too hard down the stretch, so don't be surprised if he loses some save opportunities to other relievers.

Montero (5-10) allowed three runs on seven hits and two walks with six strikeouts but lasted just 4.2 innings and took the loss Friday against Atlanta.

Montero has completed the sixth inning just once in his past six starts now, a stretch in which he owns a 4.03 ERA despite a brutal 1.62 WHIP over 29 innings. Control has been a major issue for Montero all year long, as he has now walked 59 batters in just 106.1 innings. Montero can be nasty, but until he reins in his control there is only so far he can go.

Vizcaino worked around a walk to pitch a scoreless ninth for his 11th save Friday against the Mets.

Vizcaino hasn't blown a save since July 1 against Oakland. He has now thrown five straight scoreless appearances with five strikeouts and just four hits allowed over six innings. His ERA is down to a nifty 2.48.

Iglesias allowed one run on one hit and one walk while striking out three across 1.2 innings to earn his 27th save Friday against the Pirates.

Iglesias was protecting a three-run lead, and the run he allowed made little difference, as he nailed down the home victory. With a 1.98 ERA, he continues to be an elite fantasy option.

Leiter (3-6) allowed four runs on seven hits and one walk while striking out nine across six innings to take the loss Friday against the Athletics.

Leiter gave up a two-run homer in each of the first two innings while receiving no offensive support, as he dropped his sixth decision of the year. He's allowed 16 earned runs over his last three starts, which raised his ERA over a full run, and fantasy managers are taking on risk if using him while he tries to work through his current slump. He'll make his next start Thursday against the Dodgers.

Nelson will undergo shoulder surgery Tuesday, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

The Brewers had been deciding whether or not to choose rehab or surgery as the path for Nelson's recovery, and the decision was ultimately made to send him under the knife. Nelson has already been ruled out for this season, but the doctors performing his surgery will not be able to determine the full extent of the damage to his shoulder until they begin the surgical procedure, so it remains to be seen what his recovery timetable will be, and if he will miss any action in 2018.