MLB Player News

Pivetta (1-3) allowed four runs on four hits and four walks while striking out just two batters through five innings during Saturday's loss to St. Louis.

With a 5.52 ERA and 1.77 WHIP through six starts, Pivetta currently appears outclassed at the highest level. The 24-year-old righty has only made 10 Triple-A starts, so more fine-tuning in the minors may be needed before he's a reliable fantasy option, and he's off the fantasy grid until proven otherwise at this point. Pivetta lines up for a tough matchup against the Red Sox at Citizens Bank Park in his next start.

Gsellman (5-3) pitched 6.2 scoreless innings with just three hits and two walks allowed while striking out four batters during Saturday's win over Atlanta during the first game of their doubleheader.

This was easily the best start of the season for Gsellman, and it bodes well for his chances of sticking in the rotation for another turn. He sports a 4.95 ERA and 1.46 WHIP with 48 strikeouts through 63.2 innings, so he's hardly a go-to fantasy option, but he has been much better of late. Unfortunately, Gsellman will get the Nats his next time out, assuming he continues on in the rotation.

Strop retired just one batter in Saturday's loss to the Rockies, while allowing three runs on four hits.

The entire Chicago bullpen struggled, allowing six runs in just four innings. Strop gave up four hits in a row along with a wild pitch upon entering the game, and his ERA jumped from 2.53 to 3.74 in the process. He'll look to rebound in his next outing.

Hand struck out two over a scoreless inning on the way to his eighth hold of the season Friday.

Despite posting far better results, it appears Hand has fully moved back into his usual setup role in San Diego with Brandon Maurer converting the team's last five saves. While his run as the team's closer was short-lived, he is the clear favorite to assume the role should Maurer and his 6.48 ERA falter again.

Maurer picked up his 10th save of the season Friday, tossing a clean inning in a 6-3 win over the Royals.

The 26-year-old converted his 10th save with little trouble just a day after he failed to record an out in an ugly four-run outing against the Diamondbacks on Thursday. Maurer has a tendency to get blown up in non-save situations -- which severely limits his fantasy value -- but the fact remains that he has converted five straight save opportunities since briefly being removed from the role at the end of May. He is the pitcher to own in San Diego for those hunting for saves.

Ellington was sent down to Triple-A New Orleans on Saturday, Joe Frisaro of MLB.com reports.

Ellington has been struggling mightily of late. After giving up six earned runs in one-third of an inning on June 6, he allowed runs in back-to-back nights against the Pirates while only managing three outs on the mound. Ellington will try to clear his head at New Orleans while Drew Steckenrider comes up to Miami.

Moore gave up four runs on seven hits and three walks over six innings to fall to 2-7 with a 5.28 ERA in Friday's loss to Minnesota.

Moore was lucky not to give up more runs as he allowed 10 baserunners, but he was also unlucky in that he gave up a fluky three-run double to Twins pitcher Ervin Santana. Despite Moore's ugly overall numbers, he had been pitching well at home with a 2.57 ERA before Friday. He also had regrouped after a terrible April with a 3.13 ERA and 7.4 K/9 in his previous five starts, so there's hope he can get back on track.

General manager David Stearns said that Hader will pitch out of the bullpen for the time being, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Stearns added that the long-term plan is still to use the left-hander as a starter, but they want him to work in relief as he acclimates himself to the big leagues. With that in mind, the Brewers do have a doubleheader with the Cardinals coming up Tuesday, so there is an opportunity for him to pick up a start, although it's somewhat of a long shot given this announcement. It seems like Hader's short-term value will be dependent on his ability to strike major-league batters out and limit his walks more than anything else.

Hader was called up from Triple-A Colorado Springs on Friday.

Hader has struggled this season at the Triple-A level, but he remains the Brewers' top pitching prospect, and the club decided it was time for him to show what he can do at the top level. Hader worked exclusively as a starter the last two seasons, but it remains to be seen if he will work in that role for the Brewers, or open in the bullpen.

Hudson, 22, has a 2.98 ERA and 44:21 K:BB in 60.1 innings for Double-A Springfield.

Hudson has allowed two earned runs or fewer in each of the last six starts. Though it does not appear he has superior strikeout stuff, Hudson does keep the ball down and utilizes his off-speed pitches effectively. A promotion to Triple-A is not out of the question before the end of the 2017 campaign.