MLB Player News

Estevez was recalled from Triple-A Albuquerque on Tuesday.

He has a 7.30 ERA in 12.1 big-league innings this year, but he appears to have been pretty unfortunate, as his 2.14 FIP and 13 strikeouts are very solid. This was a corresponding move to Adam Ottavino landing on the 10-day DL with right shoulder inflammation.

The Mets believe Gsellman has the stuff to close if he is indeed moved to the bullpen, Kevin Kernan of the New York Post reports. "With that sinker of his he could be like [Jeurys] Familia," according to one Met official. "We think he definitely has the ability to close. He's got the stuff and he is fearless."

This is a complicated report to dissect, as the source is anonymous and Gsellman has not even officially been moved to the bullpen yet. Manager Terry Collins is on record as saying Gsellman will move to the bullpen when Steven Matz (elbow) and Seth Lugo (elbow) return from the disabled list. Both Matz and Lugo need one more rehab start before joining the rotation. Further complicating matters is the fact that Gsellman has been very solid in his last two starts, notching a 2.77 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and eight strikeouts over 13 innings against the Padres and Brewers. Then there is the fact that Addison Reed has done nothing to warrant a demotion from the closer's role, boasting a 3.38 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 30:3 K:BB in 26.2 innings. The idea of Gsellman closing games for the Mets is nothing more than an intriguing hypothetical for now.

Arano (elbow) was activated from the minor-league disabled list Tuesday, Mike Drago of the Reading Eagle reports.

Arano is finally ready to rejoin Double-A Reading after being sidelined all year with a sprained ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow. He'll continue to be developed as a reliever.

Stephenson was optioned to Triple-A Louisville on Tuesday, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Stephenson will head back to Louisville after compiling an 8.03 ERA and 27:16 K:BB over 24.2 innings of relief with the big club. The former first-round pick worked primarily as a starter before this season, so it's possible that he will be stretched back out as a starter with Louisville.

Hand struck out a pair of batters over 1.2 perfect innings en route to his sixth hold of the season Monday.

After it appeared that the veteran lefty had taken over as San Diego's closer, manager Andy Green decided to roll with Brandon Maurer in the ninth for the second consecutive game. Hand has been the better reliever this season (1.82 ERA to Maurer's 6.00 ERA), but the Padres' skipper wasn't kidding when he said he would play matchups going forward. The 27-year-old still holds value due to his ability to rack up strikeouts (11.5 K/9) and convert the occasional save, but this is a closer situation that has clearly not settled quite yet.

Maurer struck out one in a perfect ninth inning for his seventh save of the season in Monday's 5-2 victory over the Cubs.

That's back-to-back saves for Maurer in two consecutive days after Brad Hand closed out the previous two chances. The hard-throwing right-hander managed to lower his ERA to 6.00, and he owns a nice 24:4 K:BB despite his struggles late in games. It looks as though manager Andy Green is content mixing and matching in the ninth, which will limit the appeal of both Maurer and Hand.

Gsellman (3-3) allowed one two runs (one earned) on three hits while walking two and striking out five over seven innings in Monday's 4-2 win over the Brewers.

Earlier in the day, skipper Terry Collins said Gsellman will move to the bullpen once Steven Matz (elbow) and Seth Lugo (elbow) returned from the disabled list. Gsellman then proceeded to post his best start of the season and third quality start in nine tries. Despite the quality starts he's tossed in his last two outings, the 23-year-old's 6.6 K/9 and 5.75 ERA indicate that he's better off in New York's bullpen. He'll at least benefit from one more start during the Mets' weekend series with the Pirates before likely transitioning into a relief role.

Moore (2-6) allowed two runs on six hits (one homer) while walking none and striking out five over seven innings in Monday's 3-0 loss to the Nationals.

After getting blown up for nine runs in 3.1 innings in his first start of the month of May, Moore has now delivered five straight outings with three or fewer runs, dropping his ERA to 4.98. The lefty is still a shaky shallow-league option because of his 7.5 K/9 and 3.3 BB/9, but as we've seen, he can be an effective matchup play in deeper leagues.

Manager Terry Collins said Gsellman will be moved to the bullpen once Steven Matz (elbow) and Seth Lugo (elbow) return from the disabled list, Matt Ehalt of The Record reports.

With Matz and Lugo both set to rejoin the Mets as soon as the upcoming weekend, it looks like Gsellman will be ousted from the Mets' starting rotation, though he'll remain with the big club as a reliever for the time being. In eight games as a starter this season, the 23-year-old compiled a 6.86 ERA and 29:14 K:BB across 40.2 innings. He's compiled a 2.25 ERA across three appearances (four innings) as a reliever this year, so he could prove to be a valuable piece in the struggling Mets bullpen if he's able to turn things around.

Grace was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse on Monday, Chelsea Janes of The Washington Post reports.

With Stephen Drew (hamstring) coming off the disabled list, Grace was the corresponding roster casualty. In his second stint with the big club this season, Grace tossed 2.1 scoreless innings (four appearances). He'll head back to Syracuse until the Nationals need another bullpen arm.