MLB Player News

Grace was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse on Thursday, Byron Kerr of MASN Sports reports.

The left-hander was demoted to make room for Stephen Strasburg, who's returning from the paternity list. Grace will continue serving as organizational depth.

Maurer recorded his fourth save of the season in Wednesday's 8-5 win over the Diamondbacks, pitching a clean ninth inning and recording two strikeouts.

Maurer disposed of Jake Lamb, Yasmany Tomas and Daniel Descalso on just 10 pitches, retiring both Lamb and Descalso on swinging strikes after Ryan Schimpf and Yangervis Solarte had given the Padres the lead in the visitors' half of the frame. The 26-year-old closer has had a couple of stumbles this season, but he's notched four saves in as many opportunities and recorded multiple strikeouts in three of his last four trips to the mound.

Rodney recorded just two outs and surrendered five earned runs on six hits while taking his first loss and blown save of the season in Wednesday's 8-5 loss to the Padres.

Rodney had previously converted each of his first six save chances of the season, but frequently walked the tightrope in those outings, as evidenced by his 6.48 ERA and 1.56 WHIP heading into Wednesday. The other shoe finally dropped for Rodney, who couldn't protect a 5-3 lead entering the ninth inning. After retiring Austin Hedges on a groundout to open the frame, Rodney allowed two hitters to reach on singles before serving up a 439-foot three-run blast to Ryan Schimpf. Manager Torey Lovullo still intended to let Rodney finish the inning, but the 40-year-old couldn't even manage to do that, as he gave up another pair of singles and then allowed a two-run double before mercifully getting the hook. Despite his ERA now sitting at a bloated 11.00 for the season, Rodney's extensive experience in the ninth inning should afford him an opportunity to right the ship, but if he's unable to do so in his subsequent appearances, J.J. Hoover would seemingly be first in line to take over the closing duties.

Gsellman (0-2) gave up six runs (five earned) on 10 hits over four innings in Wednesday's loss to Atlanta. He struck out two and walked three.

A popular preseason sleeper of sorts, Gsellman has managed just one quality start in four tries to open the season, although he does still own a solid 22:9 K:BB over 21.2 innings. His FIP and xFIP still look good at 3.63 and 3.32, respectively, so Gsellman's 6.23 ERA shouldn't have fantasy owners running to drop him. His luck will level out.

Miller (elbow) apparently has a ligament issue in his elbow and is contemplating Tommy John surgery, Tommy Stokke of FanRag Sports reports.

Miller, who was pulled from his last start and placed on the disabled list with forearm soreness, is still waiting to hear back on a third opinion from Dr. James Andrews on his MRI results, though Tommy John surgery is apparently a possibility. This isn't too surprising, given Miller said earlier Wednesday that doctors "found something in there," according to Jack Magruder of FanRag Sports. He had 4.09 ERA and 20 strikeouts through 22 innings (four starts) this year before going down with the injury. Zach Godley was recalled from Triple-A and has taken his place in the rotation for the time being.

Miller sent his MRI results to Dr. James Andrews on Wednesday, Jack Magruder of FanRag Sports reports.

Miller apparently said doctors "have found something in there," though he didn't specify further, so the Braves are having Dr. James Andrews give it a look before an official plan is determined. Players usually see Dr. Andrews when contemplating Tommy John surgery, so even if Miller receives good news, it seems likely that he'll have to miss a significant chunk of time.

Grace was added to the Nationals' 25-man roster Wednesday, Dan Kolko of MASN reports.

Grace will take the roster spot of Koda Glover (hip), who was placed on the disabled list earlier Wednesday. He's sitting on a 5.62 ERA through eight innings at Triple-A this season, though he has struck out 10 batters during that span. The 28-year-old will provide a needed bullpen arm for the Nationals, who deployed five different relievers during Tuesday's 15-12 victory over the Rockies, though he'll likely head back to Syracuse when Glover is activated.

Yates was claimed off waivers by the Padres on Wednesday.

The Angels dropped Yates, a hard-throwing right-hander, from the 40-man roster after he served up two solo homers in his lone relief appearance with the team back on April 22, but the Padres saw enough potential in him to put in a claim. With Ryan Buchter, Brad Hand and Jose Torres having already established themselves as the top setup men to closer Brandon Maurer, it's not expected that Yates will be needed for much high-leverage work out of the bullpen.

Gsellman will start Wednesday's game against the Braves, Matt Ehalt of The Record reports.

The Mets had previously planned to skip Gsellman's start after Tuesday's contest was rained out, but they reversed course and pushed Noah Syndergaard's next start to Thursday. It's good news for owners who started the righty in weekly formats, as Gsellman will draw the Braves instead of the Nationals later this weekend.

Bowman gave up two earned runs on a hit and a walk over one inning in Tuesday's 6-5 extra-inning loss to the Blue Jays. He struck out two. The outing marked the end of Bowman's 19.2-inning scoreless streak.

The 25-year-old saw his ERA take a hit for the first time since Sept. 6 of last season when he allowed a seventh-inning triple to Kevin Pillar. Bowman did notch multiple strikeouts for the first time in 12 trips to the mound this season and naturally remains one of Mike Matheny's must trusted options out of the bullpen.