MLB Player News

Ellington was recalled from Triple-A New Orleans on Sunday.

Ellington didn't make the roster this spring, but is off to a strong start at the Triple-A level, posting a 3.38 ERA and 0.75 WHIP with 14 strikeouts over eight innings. He'll provide the Marlins with an extra right-hander in relief, taking the roster spot of Odrisamer Despaigne.

Blach (0-2) allowed 10 runs -- eight earned -- on 11 hits and a walk over just three innings during Saturday's loss to Cincinnati.

The 26-year-old lefty had pitched well at home against the Dodgers and Padres during his first two starts of the season, but Great American Ball Park and the Cincinnati offense overpowered him Saturday. There is no way to sugarcoat the outing, as Blach allowed six extra-base hits in just three innings. Considering he posted an underwhelming 3.95 ERA over 53 starts with Triple-A Sacramento, it was likely only a matter of time before he was roughed up at the highest level. His next rotation turn aligns with a home game against the Reds, so that will be a telling outing if Blach makes the start.

Ortiz (hamstring) threw five innings for Double-A Biloxi on Saturday, giving up one run on five hits and a walk while striking out six en route to the victory.

Ortiz had been sidelined since late April due to a bout of hamstring tightness, but he was back to his old self Saturday evening, displaying good control and strikeout potential. His ERA now sits at 3.33, and he'll look to improve further over the course of the season in the Shuckers' rotation.

Strop picked up his fifth hold of the season in Friday's loss to the Yankees. He fired a scoreless inning, allowing one hit and striking out two.

After a slow start to the season, Strop has put up zeroes in his last eight appearances, lowering his ERA to 3.72 in the process. He remains behind Wade Davis and Hector Rondon in Chicago's bullpen, but could be a decent source of holds moving forward for a strong Cubs team.

Fields pitched 1.1 scoreless innings without allowing a baserunner and struck out two to earn his first save of the season during Friday's win over San Diego.

The save is a bit misleading, as Fields entered in the eighth inning when the Dodgers led 4-2. However, Los Angeles scored four runs in the top of the ninth, and Fields remained in the game to record the final three outs. It's likely Kenley Jansen would have pitched the ninth frame if it were still a save situation.

Rodney retired both of the batters he faced in the ninth inning to notch his eighth save of the season in Friday's 6-3 win over the Rockies.

The Diamondbacks owned a four-run lead heading into the ninth, but after long reliever Archie Bradley loaded the bases with one out before being pulled, Rodney was summoned into the game. After allowing a run-scoring groundout, Rodney induced a towering pop fly from Charlie Blackmon to extinguish the Rockies threat with runners on second and third. It was an incredible show of faith from manager Torey Lovullo to turn to the struggling Rodney in a harsh environment like Coors Field, but the veteran probably rebuilt a little job security with this performance. That being said, with Rodney still maintaining a 10.80 ERA and 1.97 WHIP over 11.2 innings this season, he clearly remains a lower-tier closing option.

Montero (0-2) gave up five runs on seven hits and three walks while striking out four over 3.2 innings Friday but was able to escape with a no-decision in an 8-7 win over the Marlins.

It was a predictably poor outing from Montero, who now has a 10.45 ERA through 10.1 big-league innings this season. Unfortunately for the Mets, they don't have any other healthy options for their rotation at the moment, so look for Montero to make his next start Wednesday at home against the Giants.

Nelson pitched three shutout innings while striking out two hitters, but received no decision Friday against the Pirates.

Nelson was removed from the game after a long rain delay, though he threw just 30 pitches. He came into this contest having allowed 15 earned runs over his last 15.2 innings covering three starts, and his ERA now sits at 4.83, making him a risky fantasy option. He'll make his next start Thursday against the Red Sox.

Pivetta (0-2) allowed four runs on nine hits while striking out six over five innings to take the loss Friday against the Nationals.

Pivetta made a second start while Aaron Nola remained sidelined with a lower-back strain, and he allowed a trio of home runs to put the Phillies into a 4-0 hole they couldn't climb out of. In his two starts, he's allowed 18 hits over 10 innings, but he also was able to strike out 11. It's possible he returns to the minors once Nola returns to action. For now, his next start has yet to be determined.

Black signed a minor league contract with the Giants on Friday, Rich MacLeod of MLB.com reports.

Black hasn't pitched in the majors since 2014 and is coming off shoulder surgery, but Giants scouts saw him throwing 97 MPH in workouts and decided their former reliever was worth a flyer. The Giants bullpen has been ineffective thus far (4.89 ERA), and anybody who brings that kind of heat is enticing for a club in that situation.