MLB Player News

Hoover was charged with a blown save in Wednesday's 6-5 win over the Pirates in 14 innings after giving up a run in the bottom of the 11th inning.

With the Diamondbacks taking the lead in top of the 11th on Nick Ahmed's solo home run, Hoover was in position for what would have been his first save of the season, but couldn't close the door. He struck out the first two batters of the inning before surrendering a game-tying solo shot to Jordy Mercer, which was the third home run Hoover has given up this season. During his previous stint with the Reds, Hoover was routinely troubled by the long ball, and his proclivity for giving up hard contact could ultimately lead manager Torey Lovullo to turn to Archie Bradley if closer Fernando Rodney -- who also blew a save earlier in the contest -- is eventually cast out of the ninth-inning role.

Rodney gave up an unearned run in the ninth inning to take his third blown save of the season in Wednesday's 6-5 win over the Pirates in 14 innings. He walked two batters and struck out one.

Rodney's hold on the closing gig seemed to be on thin ice after he blew back-to-back saves in ugly fashion to finish out April, but he rebuilt some job security by converting seven consecutive chances over 8.2 scoreless innings heading into Wednesday. After handing free passes to the first two batters he faced, Rodney was nearly able to escape the ninth unscathed, but the Pirates were able to produce the game-tying run on a double-play groundout. Since Rodney had been solid throughout May and Wednesday's blown save wasn't a total disaster of an outing, the Diamondbacks will likely stick with him as their closer, but his poor rate stats will continue to make him no better than a middle-tier closer.

Kontos pitched two innings of relief Wednesday, holding the Nationals scoreless in a 3-1 loss.

After a disastrous month of April, the veteran reliever has returned to form in May, posting a 1.93 ERA and 8.4 K/9 over 14 innings. Kontos could see an influx in hold opportunities once Hunter Strickland is forced to serve his multi-game suspension.

Maurer tossed a perfect ninth inning Wednesday to pick up his eighth save of the season in a 2-1 win over the Cubs.

He's finished up May with three straight saves, but Maurer is hardly locked into the closer role in San Diego after allowing 11 runs in 5.2 innings over his prior seven appearances. If he falters again, Brad Hand may step into ninth-inning duties on a more permanent basis.

Adleman (3-2) gave up three runs on six hits and two walks while striking out five over six innings but came away with a no-decision in Wednesday's 5-4 loss to the Blue Jays.

He wasn't particularly sharp, throwing 51 of 95 pitches for strikes, but it was the right-hander's second straight quality start and fourth of the season. Adleman will try to make it three straight quality starts Tuesday at home against the Cardinals.

Law gave up one hit and one walk but escaped the seventh of Tuesday's game against the Nationals without allowing a run.

The 26-year-old filled in capably for Mark Melancon in the ninth inning while Melancon was down with an elbow injury earlier this month, converting all four of his save opportunities. Law has since transitioned back to a setup role, and while he's been a bit shakier of late, he seems to still be next in line should anything else happen to Melancon.

Wittgren has given up five runs and struck out 14 in 14.1 innings since getting recalled in early May from Triple-A New Orleans.

Wittgren is pitching well this season, showing improvement on his 2016 rookie campaign when he had an ERA of 3.14 and a WHIP of 1.16. He's improved so far on both fronts with his ERA down to 3.00 and WHIP sitting at 1.05. Meanwhile, the strikeout ratio has increased this year to 9.0 K/9 from last season's mark of 7.3. He's been buried at the bottom of Miami's bullpen, but his recent outings in three straight games from May 28-30 suggests more meaningful playing time could be in his future.

Lamet (2-0) held the Cubs to two runs on five hits over five innings Tuesday. He walked one and struck out eight on his way to his second victory of the season.

After impressing in his debut against the Mets last Thursday, the rookie posted a nearly identical stat line against the defending World Series champs. Lamet wasn't intimidated by the Cubs' overpowering lineup, throwing first-pitch strikes to 15 of the 22 batters he faced. The 24-year-old added a changeup with big downward movement this spring to complement his high-90s fastball and sweeping slider, and the results have been noticeable. His early returns and favorable home ballpark should result in a drastic ownership spike in most fantasy formats. That said, most rookie pitchers often go through an adjustment period after experiencing early success, so owners should keep expectations in check until a larger sample size is provided. If Lamet can go into his next start on the road against a high-octane Diamondbacks lineup and come out looking as strong as he has in his previous two, we can begin to consider the rookie a must-start arm going forward.

Leiter got just two outs while surrendering five runs (four earned) on four hits and a pair of walks in Tuesday's loss to Miami.

Starter Vince Velasquez departed early with an injury, so Leiter entered this game in the second inning. He utterly failed to give the Phillies the length they needed out of him, as he imploded in the third inning, failing to record an out against any of the six batters he faced in that frame. Leiter's current 5.40 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 11:11 K:BB certainly won't help him earn higher-leverage innings.

Ottavino was placed on the 10-day DL on Tuesday with right shoulder inflammation.

His 2.57 ERA and 24 strikeouts in 21 innings look nice, but his 1.43 WHIP and 16.5 percent walk rate are more troubling. He should be considered out indefinitely. Carlos Estevez was recalled from Triple-A Albuquerque as a corresponding move.