MLB Player News

Montero is no longer available to start Wednesday's game against the Dodgers after being used out of the bullpen Monday, Mike Puma of the New York Post reports.

The Mets will now likely turn to Tyler Pill to start Wednesday after Montero notched 3.2 innings in relief Monday. The 26-year-old will continue to serve as a long reliever for the Mets, but he will also remain a spot-start option should another opportunity arise down the road.

Law was optioned to Triple-A Sacramento on Tuesday.

At one point this season, Law was a popular speculative play for saves, but he has fallen out of favor with the Giants after notching a 12.46 ERA over his last 8.2 innings. Kyle Crick was promoted from Triple-A in a corresponding move. If Law can get on track at Triple-A, he will likely be back up later this summer.

Reyes (elbow) could begin a throwing program in four weeks, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Reyes, the Cardinals' top pitching prospect, was vying for a rotation spot with the big club heading into spring training, but those hopes were dashed after he required Tommy John surgery in February. The 22-year-old has spent the last few months rehabbing in St. Louis so he could learn from the club's other veteran starters, and it appears he'll soon be able to start up the recovery process in earnest. Reyes has already been ruled out for the rest of the season, so his main objective will be gradually increasing his throwing distance before potentially resuming mound work once fall arrives.

Fields was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Monday, Andy McCullough of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Fields has a fine 3.00 ERA and 1.04 WHIP on the season, but he's been atrocious in June, getting charged with three blown saves and allowing seven runs in just 5.2 innings, including surrendering a whopping five home runs. Hitters have figured him out, and now he's out to make room for the return of Sergio Romo to the Dodgers' bullpen.

Montero will make a spot start Wednesday unless circumstances force the Mets to use him out of the bullpen before then, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Montero pitched three perfect innings against the Nationals with three strikeouts his last time out and has thrown at least three innings in each of his past three experiences. As such, he's the best prepared Mets reliever to make a start. If the Mets need his long-relief services before then, though, Tyler Pill will likely take the start in Montero's place.

Kontos fired 1.1 scoreless innings Sunday, striking out three in a loss to the Rockies.

With a 10.1 K/9 through 33.0 innings, the 32-year-old is showing a side that we hadn't seen for years. That said, Kontos' increased strikeouts seem to be coming at the expense of his ability to keep the ball in the yard (1.4 HR/9). While his 3.27 ERA isn't too appealing for an arm that doesn't see saves, there's a good chance that Kontos can build on his current total of two holds while Hunter Strickland serves his six-game suspension.

Hernandez was recalled from Double-A Pensacola on Monday.

Hernandez will be summoned from the minor leagues to fill the void left by Zack Cozart (quadriceps) and Bronson Arroyo (shoulder) heading to the disabled list. The 25-year-old right-hander has been stellar out of the Blue Wahoos' bullpen, producing a 2.18 ERA while striking out 39 batters in 33 innings. However, he continues to struggle with control, and given the other proven options in Cincinnati's pitching staff, it's hard to see him being anything more than a middle reliever during this cup of coffee with the major-league club.

Minter (groin) has four strikeouts in two innings since returning from the disabled list with High-A Florida.

Minter suffered an adductor groin strain way back in mid-April, but there appear to be no lingering effects at this point. The southpaw has only logged three innings on the season, but only one batter reached against him in that span and six batters whiffed against him. He should continue to get plenty of action out of the bullpen, given his strong performance in a similar role last season (1.30 ERA in 34.2 innings in 2016).

Banda, 23, has posted a 4.96 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 76:40 K:BB over 78 innings with Triple-A Reno this season.

Banda's 40 walks are the third-most in the Pacific Coast League this season, and that poor control will likely continue to delay his arrival to the big leagues. The lefty is still one of the better pitching prospects in a poor Diamondbacks system, but his stock has nonetheless dropped from where it was to begin the campaign.

Rodney struck out all three batters he faced in the 10th inning to earn his 20th save of the season during Sunday's win over Philadelphia.

The veteran hasn't allowed an earned run through his past 16.2 innings over 17 appearances. Rodney has 14 saves and 18 strikeouts during that span, and he continues to tighten his hold on the closing job.