MLB Player News

Lopez was sent to Double-A Biloxi on Tuesday, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel's Tom Haudricourt reports.

There was some suspicion that the Brewers might go this route with Lopez, who was utterly traumatized at Triple-A Colorado Springs last season (6.81 ERA, 1.97 WHIP), but had a bit more success after getting demoted to Double-A (3.97 ERA, 1.35 WHIP). His breaking ball wasn't breaking in the harsh conditions at Colorado Springs, and his confidence was shot, so the Brewers are focused on avoiding a similar disaster this season. Lopez could skip Triple-A entirely if he is pitching well at Double-A this season, and is a candidate to join the big-league rotation this summer.

Robles struck out one in a perfect seventh inning to pick up the win in Monday's 6-0 victory over the Braves.

Noah Syndergaard was forced to exit after six innings due to a blister, and Robles then got the fairly easy W after the Mets piled up six runs in the bottom of the seventh. The 26-year-old has recorded 10 wins over the last two seasons in addition to his 25 holds, and even with Jeurys Familia (suspension) out for the first couple of weeks it doesn't look like Robles' role will change much in the Mets bullpen.

Neris earned his first hold of the season Monday with a scoreless inning in the Phillies' 4-3 win over the Reds.

Neris set up Jeanmar Gomez, who looked shaky in picking up his first save of the season. Manager Pete Mackanin expressed concern about Gomez's outing after the game, indicating the closer is on a short leash. Neris would likely get the first crack at closing for the Phils if Gomez loses his job.

Gomez's manager Pete Mackanin said he was "concerned" after a near blown save in the season opener Monday night against the Reds, MLB.com.

Mackanin reiterated that Gomez remains the closer "for right now," but his comments make it clear that the leash is short. "I want to make sure that he gets opportunities, but at the same time, I don't want to let games slip away," Mackanin said, adding, "I don't want to make too big of a deal out of it, but I owe it to the team to do what I think is best for the team." If Gomez doesn't right the ship quick, Hector Neris, Joaquin Benoit or Edubray Ramos could jump in and steal the role.

Treinen struck out two in a scoreless inning Monday to pick up the save against Miami on Opening Day.

Treinen wasted no time showcasing why he was chosen to be the team's closer. The 28-year-old's most impressive moment of the day came against Justin Bour. After trailing 3-0 in the count, Treinen battled back and struck out Bour with a nasty slider. It's only one game, but the 1-2-3 debut will rightfully serve as a confidence booster for Treinen and his owners.

Gomez recorded his first save of the season in shaky fashion by allowing a two-run homer to Scooter Gennett in the ninth inning of a 4-3 victory over the Reds on Monday.

Gomez came out of nowhere in 2016 to post 37 saves for the Phils. However, he limped to the finish line and doesn't have typical closer stuff (6.2 K/9 last year). His shaky first outing in a save situation just reminds us that he's one of the more volatile low-end closing options. Hector Neris pitched a perfect eighth inning with a strikeout and could be breathing down Gomez's neck for save chances eventually.

Hudson will serve as the Pirates' primary setup man to start 2017, Stephen Nesbitt of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Manager Clint Hurdle said he expects his seventh, eighth and ninth innings to line up with Felipe Rivero, Hudson and closer Tony Watson. Hudson will get the first chance to close if Watson can't go, but Rivero is waiting in the wings.

Estevez has won a job in the major-league bullpen, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

The 24-year-old worked to simplify his pitching mechanics this spring, and it paid off in a huge way. Estevez concluded Cactus League play with an outstanding 1.74 ERA, 0.77 WHIP and 12:1 K:BB across 10.1 innings. Estevez has some closing experience under his belt from last season, but it's unlikely that he'll get many opportunities this season with Greg Holland, Adam Ottavino, and Jake McGee seemingly ahead of him in the pecking order for ninth-inning opportunities.

Law failed to record an out Sunday, giving up one run on three hits in a 6-5 loss to Arizona.

It wasn't the greatest start to the season for Law, who is looking to solidify his role as a late-inning bridge to Mark Melancon. It was just one poor outing, so expect the 26-year-old to bounce back, considering he posted a 2.13 ERA and 0.96 WHIP last season. The young pitcher should continue to be viewed as a good source for holds.

Melancon blew a save and took the loss in Sunday's 6-5 loss to the Diamondbacks, allowing two runs on four hits while striking out one and recording just two outs.

Melancon entered with a one-run lead and retired the first two batters he faced, but he proceeded to allow the next four men to reach base as Arizona plated a pair for a walkoff win. Big things were expected from the veteran after he was acquired during the offseason, and despite this inauspicious start to his run with the Giants, he should bounce back in no time.