MLB Player News

Pivetta will start the Phillies' first game after the All-Star break, Matt Gelb of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Pivetta will face a tough test against the Brewers on Friday in Milwaukee. The young righty has an impressive 9.5 K/9, but he's also struggled with his control, as evidenced by a 4.3 BB/9 this season. He could provide plenty of value in the second half if he can make some strides in reducing the free passes.

Iglesias recorded two strikeouts during a scoreless ninth inning on his way to his 16th save of the season during Sunday's win over Arizona.

Igelsias enters the All-Star break with an impressive 1.69 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 11.0 K/9 to go along with his two wins and 16 saves. Unfortunately, pitching for a noncontender projects to limit his save chances going forward, and most of Igelsias' fantasy value will continue to be driven by his dominant peripheral statistics. He's still emerged as one of the more reliable fantasy relievers this season, though.

Nelson gave up three runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out six in five innings against the Yankees on Sunday en route to picking up his eighth win of the season.

He needed 100 pitches (63 strikes) to get through five frames, but was able to out-pitch Masahiro Tanaka in Yankee Stadium, rewarding his owners one final time in the first half. Nelson has a 3.30 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 118 strikeouts in 109 innings entering the All-Star break, and there is nothing about his profile that suggests he is in for major regression in the second half.

Melancon (elbow) will begin throwing after the All-Star break, Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Melancon was placed on the disabled list June 28 with an elbow strain and received a PRP injection shortly thereafter. The Giants -- who currently hold the second-worst record in the National League -- are far from contention and will not rush their closer back into action. He remains without a firm timetable for return, but it's good to see that he'll soon be able to resume throwing again.

Hoover (shoulder) tossed a simulated game Saturday at the Diamondbacks' extended spring training facility, the Associated Press reports.

It's unclear whether Hoover will require a rehab assignment prior to coming off the 10-day disabled list, but even if that's deemed necessary, he should be on track to rejoin the Diamondbacks for their first game out of the All-Star break July 14. Hoover has compiled a 4.18 ERA, 1.99 WHIP and 36:17 K:BB over 23.2 innings this season.

Leiter has been moved to the bullpen, Jake Lourim and Matt Gelb of The Philadelphia Inquirer report.

He has pitched well since he was inserted into the Phillies' rotation in late June, but he will shift to the 'pen now that Jerad Eickhoff (back) is returning from the disabled list. Leiter will likely see most of his work in long relief and lower-leverage situations.

Hoffman logged seven innings but gave up four runs on seven hits and two walks Saturday against the White Sox. He struck out only two batters and didn't factor in the decision.

The rookie has flashed some excellent stuff this year but still has to deal with the pitcher's nightmare of a park known as Coors Field. Hoffman will take a 4.15 ERA into the second half that hides some excellent indicators, including a 8.0 K/9, 2.6 BB/9 and 3.44 FIP. He'll remain worth streaming for favorable road starts, at minimum, but his skills say he could be much more than that if not for his dangerous home.

Maurer allowed one hit in a scoreless inning to earn the save Saturday against the Phillies.

Maurer was protecting a one-run lead and easily converted his second save in less than 24 hours to give him 19 on the year. Although he has a high ERA, his ability to close out games gives him significant fantasy value.

Hatch, 22, has a 3.43 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 78:33 K:BB in 76 innings for High-A Myrtle Beach.

There was not much buzz surrounding Hatch this past offseason, as he didn't see any game action in 2016 after the Cubs selected him with their first pick (104th overall) in last year's draft. He has a potentially plus fastball and a potentially plus breaking ball, but the command and changeup lag behind the rest of the profile. Hatch may be the second best pitching prospect in the Cubs' system, behind Dylan Cease.

Hand (2-4) struck out three over 1.1 innings Friday, earning a win over the Phillies.

The 26-year-old was actually charged with a blown save after he allowed two of Phil Maton's baserunners to come home. The runs didn't affect Hand's 2.30 ERA, so fantasy owners simply benefited from him picking up the victory. The dominant southpaw has improved on his breakout 2016 campaign, earning the first All-Star appearance of his career.