MLB Player News

Maurer blew the save chance Thursday, recording only one out while allowing four earned runs on four hits in a loss to Texas.

Maurer came on in the ninth inning of a one-run game Thursday and promptly coughed it up, giving up a game-tying single before serving up a three-run walk-off home run to Mike Napoli. It was an implosion, and Maurer saw his ERA more than double as a result of the poor performance (going from 2.03 to 4.61).

Nelson allowed one unearned run on four hits and four walks while striking out eight batters over 6.2 innings during Thursday's loss to Boston. He did not factor into the decision.

This was Nelson's best start of the season, and especially considering the deep and powerful lineup Boston fields. His 3.99 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 7.8 K/9 aren't standout marks for most seasonal settings, but against favorable opponents, Nelson is definitely on the streaming radar and worth considering in daily contests. He has a favorable upcoming road matchup against the Padres at Petco Park next week, too.

Hoffman will make a start with the Rockies on Thursday against the Dodgers, Jesse Thomas of The Colorado Rockies Radio Network reports.

Tyler Anderson was originally tabbed as Thursday's starter, but he was pushed back to Saturday at the last minute, opening the door for Hoffman to return to the big leagues. Hoffman has been steadily improving with Triple-A Albuquerque, especially in the control department, so he'll look to carry that success into Thursday's outing against southpaw Hyun-Jin Ryu.

Hoffman could be recalled to make a spot start Saturday against the Dodgers, Nick Groke of The Denver Post reports.

The pitching prospect emerged from the minors to act as the Rockies' 26th man for Tuesday's twin bill with the Cubs, and although he did serve up a home run in his lone appearance, his performance at Triple-A Albuquerque speaks more to the progress he's made this season. He currently possesses a 3.71 ERA and 1.12 WHIP with the Isotopes, but the nicer thing to see is the improved 2.7 BB/9 he's put up. Chris Rusin is also a candidate for the last-minute assignment, but Hoffman very well could make a return trip to the big leagues for the day if the Rockies' brass wants to see if he can carry over his minor-league success into a major-league start.

Rusin is an option to start Saturday's game against the Dodgers, Nick Groke of The Denver Post reports.

The southpaw made seven starts last season, and with Antonio Senzatela rendered unavailable until Sunday due to his pitching schedule, Rusin makes for an easy in-house option for a spot start. Prospect Jeff Hoffman is another candidate to make an appearance, although someone would need to be demoted in order to make room for the right-hander on the roster. Nothing official has been announced as of now, but Rusin's 3.00 ERA and 17:4 K:BB he's posted in 18 frames this season certainly works in his favor.

Garcia gave up two runs on two hits in two-thirds of an inning to get charged with his first loss of the season in Wednesday's 7-5 defeat at the hands of the Cardinals.

The lefty came on in the sixth to replace Tom Koehler with one out and a runner on first, and he promptly gave up a single, a triple and a sac fly before recording the final out of the inning. Garcia's been one of the more reliable relievers in the Marlins' bullpen since being called up and now has a 2.79 ERA, 0.83 WHIP and 10:3 K:BB through 9.2 innings.

Law gave up two runs on three hits Wednesday, but he was able to limit the damage and convert the save in a 6-5 win over the Mets.

It wasn't easy, but Law managed to preserve a three-run lead in the ninth to convert his first save as interim closer for the Giants. He hasn't been the same dominant reliever we saw in his rookie campaign last year, mainly due to a decrease in control (2.3 K/BB compared to 5.6 K/BB last season) and an 80-point jump in opponents' BABIP. Still, the 26-year-old's 3.38 ERA is serviceable, and he should see the majority of save opportunities until Mark Melancon (elbow) returns from the disabled list.

Miller (elbow) underwent Tommy John surgery Wednesday, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

Miller will now begin a long recovery process with the hopes of returning to the mound for the Diamondbacks some time near the end of next summer. Manager Torey Lovullo said that he expects Miller to miss about 15 months, but that timetable could be adjusted once the right-hander draws closer to throwing. Zack Godley was recalled from Triple-A Reno on Wednesday and figures to assume Miller's spot in the rotation for the foreseeable future.

Hader, 23, has a 4.54 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 32:22 K:BB in 35.2 innings with Triple-A Colorado Springs.

His 6.68 FIP probably does a better job of illustrating just how much of a struggle Hader's first seven starts of the season have been. Pitching the Pacific Coast League is no easy task, and Hader actually has a better ERA in three home starts (3.38) than he does in four road starts (5.49), which goes against the narrative that the home park at Colorado Springs is the only reason for his poor performance. Of the notable Brewers pitching prospects in the upper levels, Brandon Woodruff (1.83 ERA at Triple-A) and Jorge Lopez (3.34 ERA at Double-A) will also warrant consideration when the team looks to inject new blood into the big-league rotation.

Hoffman was optioned to Triple-A Albuquerque on Wednesday, MLB.com reports.

Hoffman was up with the Rockies for Tuesday's doubleheader against the Cubs and ended up getting into the second game, tossing 1.1 innings and striking out two batters in relief while also serving up a solo homer. Since he was the Rockies' 26th man for the day, it was always expected that he'd return to Albuquerque immediately after the doubleheader. Hoffman could be a candidate to rejoin the Rockies later in the season if a spot starter or rotation replacement is needed.