MLB Player News

Gomez picked up a win Saturday in an inning of work in a 4-3 win over the Braves.

Gomez allowed an unearned run in the top of the 10th inning, but the Phillies' offense scored two runs in the bottom of the 10th to give him the win. Gomez lost his closing job earlier this month and is unlikely to get it back again. Manager Pete Mackanin turned to Edubray Ramos instead of Gomez to close out Saturday's game with Hector Neris and Joaquin Benoit unavailable. It is an indication of just how far Gomez has fallen in the bullpen hierarchy.

Edwards (1-0) recorded his first win of the season Friday against the Reds. He struck out two in a scoreless 10th inning.

Edwards was rewarded with the win when the Cubs scored on a sacrifice fly in the top of the 11th. Edwards has struck out six and has yet to give up an earned run through 6.2 innings this season. The Cubs have no shortage of closing candidates behind Wade Davis, but Edwards could post useful ratios and the occasional win or hold as a valuable member of the bullpen.

Medina tossed seven scoreless innings for Low-A Lakewood on Friday. He allowed five hits while striking out 10 and walking just one.

Medina's strikeout rate was pedestrian in short-season ball last year, but he's made a significant improvement early this season with a 9.5 K/9 through his first three starts. His fastball sits in the 90-95 mph range, but his secondary stuff had been lacking. Improved off-speed pitches could be fueling his improved strikeout rate, which bodes well for his future.

Adleman (0-0) allowed two runs on four hits and two walks while striking out seven across six innings, but received no decision Friday against the Cubs.

He gave up a pair of solo shots to Javier Baez and Jason Heyward, but otherwise held the Cubs bats in check, but when the Reds bullpen fell apart in the late innings it cost Adleman a chance at his first victory of the season. After throwing just 57 pitches in his season debut April 16, he was called upon for 92 pitches in a spot start in this contest, and after posting a 4.00 ERA as a rookie in 2016, he's already showing promise as he enters his second season. He'll make his next start Wednesday against the Brewers.

Neris allowed one run on three hits while striking out one over one inning to earn his second save Friday against the Braves.

Neris had a two-run cushion the work with, and served up a gopher ball to lead off the inning, but was still able to nail down the victory for the Phillies. Although he hasn't been named as the team's closer, he's now notched saves in back-to-back contests, and for now he's a player who must be rostered based on the possibility he earns the full-time ninth-inning role.

Stewart (shoulder) said Friday that he will begin throwing bullpen sessions next week, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com report.

A bout of shoulder tendinitis forced Stewart to the DL to begin the season, but in light of his progress, the right-hander believes he could return to active competition in a month or so. Stewart struggled with the long ball in a 28-inning sample with the big-league team last year, giving up seven homers. He has allowed 15 home runs total in the minor leagues (256.1 innings).

Blach will replace Madison Bumgarner (ribs, shoulder) in the Giants' rotation, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Pitching coach Dave Righetti confirmed that Blach will get the first shot at replacing Bumgarner, who was injured in a recent dirt bike accident. Blach will be available out of the bullpen in an emergency Friday night, but he is expected to slot into the rotation Tuesday against the Dodgers. The lefty has three walks to just one strikeout in 4.2 innings so far this season.

Manager Pete Mackanin said that Neris will pitch the ninth inning Friday if there is a save situation, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

The skipper is not naming Neris the closer, but after Neris nailed down the win with a clean frame Thursday -- his eight straight scoreless appearance -- Mackanin will ride the hot hand for one more day at least. It seems Neris and veteran Joaquin Benoit could share closing duties for the time being, until one player puts his stamp on the job.

Beede could be called up to replace the injured Madison Bumgarner (shoulder) in the Giants' rotation, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

The Giants are in need of another starter with Bumgarner sidelined for several weeks, and they could decide to turn to Beede, one of the club's top prospects, and who is also on the same rest schedule as Bumgarner. Expect the team to reveal who will get the nod to replace Bumgarner at some point in the near future.

Blach is an option to jump into the Giants' rotation in place of the injured Madison Bumgarner (shoulder), Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Blach has worked exclusively out of the bullpen for the Giants this year, but the team has reportedly kept him stretched out in case they needed an extra starter, and they will indeed need one at this point with Bumgarner sidelined. The Giants figure to officially announce Bumgarner's replacement at some point in the near future, but if Blach is ultimately called upon to fill the spot, his first start would come against a Dodgers team that managed just three hits over 11 innings against him in 2016.