MLB Player News

Maurer struck out the side in his only inning of work to earn his 18th save of the season Friday against the Phillies.

Maurer was protecting a one-run lead and didn't leave anything to chance, as he didn't allow a Phillies batter to put the ball in play. Although he's allowed multiple runs to score in seven different outings this year to give him an inflated 5.77 ERA, he's only blown two of 19 save opportunities, making him a valuable fantasy asset.

Pivetta (2-4) allowed three runs on five hits while striking out nine over seven innings, but didn't factor into the decision Friday against the Padres.

Pivetta was victimized by three solo homers, two of which came off the bat of Austin Hedges, and he left the game trailing before the offense was able to take him off the hook for a potential loss. Although he's had a pair of stellar outings in his last five starts, his 4.73 ERA indicates the volatility that fantasy owners have to consider when placing him in lineups. He'll make his next start at a time yet to be determined after the All-Star break.

Sierra was promoted to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Friday.

Sierra has been masterful as a part of Double-A Tulsa's bullpen this season, sporting a 2.49 ERA and an 11.5 K/9 in 50.2 innings pitched. If he can carry that success into his time at Triple-A, he could end up getting a call to the big leagues before the season's end.

Bowman notched his 15th hold in Thursday's 4-3 win over the Marlins, getting one out to close out the sixth.

Bowman needed only four pitches to get Giancarlo Stanton to ground into a fielder's choice with two on and the Cardinals clinging to a 3-2 lead. After a brief rough patch following an excellent start to the season, the young right-hander has settled back in, allowing only one earned run in his last 11 appearances and lowering his ERA from 4.71 to 3.89 in the process. Although he did see a recent save opportunity, Bowman's role continues to be the one he filled Thursday, one which has helped him garner the team lead in holds.

Montero will have his turn in the rotation skipped, allowing Zack Wheeler to start Saturday against the Cardinals, Marc Carig of Newsday reports.

With Wednesday's rainout giving the Mets' starters an extra day of rest and the All-Star break just days away, the team will go with Wheeler on Saturday and Steven Matz on Sunday, forcing Montero out of the rotation. In his fourth start on the season last Sunday, the right-hander allowed four earned runs on eight hits over 6.1 innings, but ended up taking the loss against Philadelphia. He'll likely be available out of the bullpen, since he began the season as a middle reliever.

Chafin walked two batters and recorded one of two outs via strikeout during his appearance in Thursday's 5-4 loss to the Dodgers.

After Robbie Ray exited after six innings of one-run ball, Chafin took the hill for the seventh and put two batters on via walks and wasn't able to finish out the frame. Fortunately, Archie Bradley came on to strike out Justin Turner to record the final out of the inning and spare Chafin of any damage to his ERA. Thursday's outing aside, Chafin has been solid on the whole this season, maintaining a 1.86 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 39:10 K:BB over 29 innings.

The Cubs recalled Floro from Triple-A Iowa on Friday, Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Floro will occupy a bullpen spot, but it may only last until the Cubs return from the All-Star break and perhaps welcome back injured starters Kyle Hendricks (hand) and John Lackey (foot).

The Cubs are expected to recall Floro from Triple-A Iowa on Friday, Carrie Muskat of MLB.com reports.

Muskat spotted Floro in the Cubs' clubhouse, so a move probably will be made before their Friday contest. The right-handed reliever is saddled with an 8.53 ERA in 6.1 major-league innings this year and would just occupy a temporary mop-up role.

Rodney (3-3) allowed four runs on two hits and two walks without recording an out during Thursday's loss to the Dodgers.

Arizona owned a 4-1 lead when Rodney took the rubber, and he allowed a single, two walks and another single before intentionally walking Justin Turner and exiting the game. Chris Taylor drove in the game-winning run on the first pitch of his at-bat against T.J. McFarland, and the Dodgers completed the comeback win. Rodney also blew his last save opportunity, and it wouldn't be surprising if the contending Diamondbacks shortened their leash with the veteran.

Lamet (3-3) allowed six runs -- five earned -- on six hits and four walks while striking out five batters through four innings during Thursday's loss to the Indians.

The rookie has flashed tremendous upside and huge strikeout potential, however, he's still extremely raw. At this stage of the game, it's probably best to be selective with his opponents and fade him in tough matchups. Lamet takes a 5.93 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 12.1 K/9 into the All-Star break.