MLB Player News

Neris allowed one run on three hits while striking out one over one inning to earn his second save Friday against the Braves.

Neris had a two-run cushion the work with, and served up a gopher ball to lead off the inning, but was still able to nail down the victory for the Phillies. Although he hasn't been named as the team's closer, he's now notched saves in back-to-back contests, and for now he's a player who must be rostered based on the possibility he earns the full-time ninth-inning role.

Stewart (shoulder) said Friday that he will begin throwing bullpen sessions next week, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com report.

A bout of shoulder tendinitis forced Stewart to the DL to begin the season, but in light of his progress, the right-hander believes he could return to active competition in a month or so. Stewart struggled with the long ball in a 28-inning sample with the big-league team last year, giving up seven homers. He has allowed 15 home runs total in the minor leagues (256.1 innings).

Blach will replace Madison Bumgarner (ribs, shoulder) in the Giants' rotation, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Pitching coach Dave Righetti confirmed that Blach will get the first shot at replacing Bumgarner, who was injured in a recent dirt bike accident. Blach will be available out of the bullpen in an emergency Friday night, but he is expected to slot into the rotation Tuesday against the Dodgers. The lefty has three walks to just one strikeout in 4.2 innings so far this season.

Manager Pete Mackanin said that Neris will pitch the ninth inning Friday if there is a save situation, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

The skipper is not naming Neris the closer, but after Neris nailed down the win with a clean frame Thursday -- his eight straight scoreless appearance -- Mackanin will ride the hot hand for one more day at least. It seems Neris and veteran Joaquin Benoit could share closing duties for the time being, until one player puts his stamp on the job.

Beede could be called up to replace the injured Madison Bumgarner (shoulder) in the Giants' rotation, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

The Giants are in need of another starter with Bumgarner sidelined for several weeks, and they could decide to turn to Beede, one of the club's top prospects, and who is also on the same rest schedule as Bumgarner. Expect the team to reveal who will get the nod to replace Bumgarner at some point in the near future.

Blach is an option to jump into the Giants' rotation in place of the injured Madison Bumgarner (shoulder), Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Blach has worked exclusively out of the bullpen for the Giants this year, but the team has reportedly kept him stretched out in case they needed an extra starter, and they will indeed need one at this point with Bumgarner sidelined. The Giants figure to officially announce Bumgarner's replacement at some point in the near future, but if Blach is ultimately called upon to fill the spot, his first start would come against a Dodgers team that managed just three hits over 11 innings against him in 2016.

Suter was recalled by the Brewers on Friday.

It marks Suter's second stint in the majors this season after he allowed four earned runs over 3.1 innings in his initial callup. The southpaw's roller-coaster year will likely continue in the Milwaukee bullpen, mainly as a reliever in low-leverage situations. Regardless, Suter will continue to build major-league experience in hopes of a bright future. Kirk Nieuwenhuis was designated for assignment in a corresponding move.

De La Rosa (elbow) is set to throw in an extended spring training game Friday, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports.

The live action serves as a positive sign for De La Rosa's progression from a sprained right UCL and signals a rehab stint may be in the near future. The veteran right-hander has been slowly working his way back using non-surgical treatment this spring, so the next few weeks could serve as a critical period in determining a firm return date.

Maurer collected his third save Thursday against the Diamondbacks by fanning two in a perfect ninth inning.

The right-hander did make things interesting by throwing just 11 of his 19 pitches for strikes, but he ultimately proved to be effectively wild as he shut the door on Arizona. Maurer has successfully converted all three of his save opportunities this season, although Carter Capps (elbow) appears to be nearing a return to the big-league bullpen, after which the latter could push for the closer's job in San Diego.

Hand picked up his second hold of the season in Thursday's 4-1 win over the Diamondbacks. He tossed 1.1 perfect innings while striking out four.

The veteran southpaw technically recorded five outs Thursday, but Austin Hedges dropped a third strike in the seventh inning and allowed A.J. Pollock to reach base despite striking out. Hand has picked up right where he left off last season when he developed into a dominant bullpen arm. With nine strikeouts and just one hit allowed through seven innings, Hand is a premier middle relief option in holds leagues and should be rostered if he wasn't already.