MLB Player News

Kontos has given up just three earned runs and two walks over his last 11 relief appearances.

The five-year vet now boasts a 2.86 ERA along with 20 strikeouts over 28.1 innings pitched this season. However, the return of Sergio Romo (forearm) has booted Kontos from his set-up role and Kontos is unlikely to see any spontaneous save opportunities in the near future.

Law tossed 1.2 shutout innings against the Red Sox on Wednesday.

Law was actually the only Giants pitcher to enter the game and not surrender a run to the red-hot Boston lineup. In a year of bullpen struggles, the unproven Law has been a revelation for the Giants with a 2.65 ERA and an impressive 35:6 K:BB ratio over 34 innings. While current closer Santiago Casilla has struggled as of late, manager Bruce Bochy is unlikely to turn to Law if he decides to make a mid-season change. However, his current string of excellence will undoubtedly earn him more high-leverage situations in the second half, which could lead to more holds.

Kiekhefer was optioned to Triple-A Memphis following Wednesday's doubleheader.

He was recalled to serve as the 26th man for the doubleheader and will predictably be sent back to Memphis. Kiekhefer has flashed the potential to be a solid big league reliever in the future, but he is still in the development/organizational depth phase at Triple-A.

Hudson gave up three hits and four runs (one earned) while recording just two outs in Wednesday's loss to the Blue Jays.

It's been a July to forget for Hudson. In six appearances this month, the righty has given up 13 hits and eight earned runs in just five innings of work. In the process, his ERA has gone from 3.82 to 5.30. After Brad Ziegler was traded to Boston, the thought was that Hudson could be in line for some save chances. But right now, it seems hard to imagine that the Diamondbacks would trust him to close out games. Tyler Clippard looks like the guy to own in Arizona's bullpen.

Gomez required just 10 pitches to retire the Marlins in the ninth inning Wednesday for his 26th save.

After blowing a save in the opening game of this series Monday, Gomez pitched both Tuesday and Wednesday, so if there's a save chance Thursday, it'll likely be handled by Hector Neris. The 28-year-old Gomez has responded to winning the ninth-inning role in April with his best MLB season to date, but his meager total of 29 strikeouts in 45.2 innings is pretty bad for a closer. Of course, he's still fifth in the NL in saves.

Lopez was optioned back to Triple-A Syracuse on Wednesday.

One day after making his major league debut, Lopez is headed back to Triple-A where he has only made two starts this season. He may stay down in Triple-A until September as Joe Ross will be returning from his injury soon, and Lopez could always end up in a bullpen role once rosters expand.

Kiekhefer was recalled from Triple-A on Wednesday to serve as the 26th man for Wednesday's doubleheader against the Padres.

He will likely be sent back to Triple-A after serving as an extra bullpen arm for Wednesday's games. Kiekhefer was pretty filthy in the Arizona Fall League last year, but that success has not translated to Triple-A or the big leagues this year. He has 14 strikeouts in 25.2 innings at Triple-A and a 5.73 ERA in 11 big league innings in 2016.

Hernandez (1-3) gave up the go-ahead run and took the loss Tuesday against the Marlins after entering the game tied in the 10th inning following a scoreless ninth by closer Jeanmar Gomez.

With trade rumors surrounding current closer Jeanmar Gomez, Hernandez's didn't do himself any favors Tuesday in vying for a potential Phillies closer role should Gomez in fact get traded before the deadline. His 4.43 ERA and 1.46 WHIP are less than stellar, although teammate Hector Neris is just 1-for-3 in save opportunities this season despite a superior 2.70 ERA.

Robles tossed a scoreless seventh and eighth inning to pick up the victory in the Mets' 2-1 win over the Cubs on Tuesday.

Robles has been lights-out since June 2, posting a 1.99 ERA, lowering his mark to 2.76 on the season. Manager Terry Collins uses his bullpen extensively and Robles has earned a substantial amount of trust since his call up last season with his fine performance.

Lopez (0-1) lasted just 4.2 innings in his first major league start Tuesday, allowing six earned runs on 10 hits while striking out nine and walking just one in an 8-4 loss to the Dodgers

Lopez's debut was hotly anticipated after tearing up the minors this season, but ended up disappointing. The nine strikeouts are encouraging to see from the young right-hander, but he seems unlikely to see many if any more major league starts this season given Tuesday's performance and the presence of top prospect Lucas Giolito and stalwart starter Joe Ross, who has been on the DL with a shoulder injury. Lopez had struck out an impressive 109 batters between Double-A Harrisburg and Triple-A Syracuse this season, so the strikeouts seem legit. Despite the poor first outing, the future remains bright for Lopez regardless of where he pitches the remainder of this season.