MLB Player News

Iglesias walked one and struck out two in a scoreless ninth inning Friday to record his 23rd save of the season in a 5-3 win over the Braves.

He's now converted 11 straight save chances dating back to late June, posting a 2.16 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 34:7 K:BB in his last 25 innings. Iglesias' strikeout rate is on the upswing as well, as he's now fanned multiple batters in five of his last six outings for an 18.8 K/9 over that strtetch.

Leiter has been moved back to the bullpen, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

Leiter struggled in his most recent start against the Padres after dominating out of the pen, so the Phils will return him to a role where he has had more success. Ben Lively will be recalled from Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Sunday to start against the Giants.

Moore (4-12) allowed two runs on just two hits and four walks with four strikeouts over 7.1 innings to earn the victory Friday over the Phillies.

Moore has thrown two of his best starts of the season in consecutive outings. This marks the first time all year Moore has gone at least seven innings in consecutive starts, and he held his opponents to two runs both times. Friday marks his first win since June 20 against Atlanta, breaking a nine-start stretch in which Moore managed just a 5.51 ERA and 1.54 WHIP.

Grace tossed 4.1 shutout innings and allowed two hits and a walk with one strikeout but settled for a no-decision in a spot start Friday against San Diego.

Max Scherzer was placed on the disabled list just before Friday's game, opening the door for Grace to get the nod, but Scherzer is only expected to miss one more start. The Nationals have yet to announce who will take his spot in the rotation next time around. Grace made a good case for himself, but the Nationals may choose to call up a minor-league starter whose arm has been stretched out a bit more.

Melancon said Friday that he is considering surgery to fix an elbow issue that has been bothering him since 2012, Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Melancon said the problem wasn't the same elbow injury that kept him off the field from June 27 through Aug. 12 this year, but with the Giants wholly out of the National League playoff picture, this might be the perfect time for Melancon to undergo surgery and still be ready to go by the start of the 2018 campaign. Either way, don't expect Melancon to contribute much to San Francisco's bullpen down the stretch; he hasn't seen a save opportunity since June 20.

Grace will make a spot start Friday after Max Scherzer was scratched with neck spasms, Mark Zuckerman of MASNsports.com reports.

Grace has allowed nine runs over his past 12 innings (6.75 ERA), but he probably has the most stretched-out arm in the Nationals bullpen, with four outings of multiple innings out of his last seven appearances. Scherzer was scratched hours before the game, so there's a chance the Nationals may make this a bullpen game and send somebody down (potentially Grace himself) for a fresh arm following the game.

Hoffman was optioned to Triple-A Albuquerque on Friday.

The Rockies will hit the reset button with Hoffman, who served up four home runs in 4.1 innings Thursday and dropped his fourth straight decision. He has struggled in a major way at home, as most pitchers do at Coors Field, and it's hard to imagine Hoffman will shed the "streamer" label even if he regains his form by September. Colorado could turn to Antonio Senzatela or Tyler Chatwood, or dip into the farm system, to replace Hoffman in the rotation.

Beato (hamstring) accepted his assignment to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Friday, Meghan Montemurro of The News Journal reports.

After injuring his hamstring two outs into his season debut for the Phillies he was designated for assignment and will return to Triple-A. Still, Beato has impressed this season for Lehigh Valley, posting a 2.72 ERA with 27 saves and 36 strikeouts in 46.1 innings.

Mayers has been recalled by the Cardinals on Friday, Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com reports.

It'll be Mayers' third stint with St. Louis this season -- in the first, he gave up two runs in 4.0 innings, while he didn't throw a pitch in the second and stayed with the Cards for less than 24 hours. The former starter is still adjusting to his new role in the bullpen, but should see time in low-leverage situations as Luke Weaver leaves the bullpen to take the place of Adam Wainwright (back) in the rotation.

Melancon gave up one hit over a scoreless inning while picking up a hold in Thursday's 5-4 win over the Phillies.

Manager Bruce Bochy continues to ease Melancon back into action in a middle relief role after it was reported that his elbow isn't back to full strength. The 32-year-old has fired three scoreless innings while picking up two holds since being activated off the disabled list. The Giants want to make sure their big-ticket signing this past offseason is completely healthy before handing him the keys to the ninth, but Sam Dyson's success in the role has made the process move slower than fantasy owners had hoped.