MLB Player News

Melancon has thrown seven shutout innings in June but has just four saves in seven outings.

Not coincidentally, the Pirates have won only five games in June. If the team continues to struggle, then Melancon could become a trade chip as he's slated to become a free agent following the 2016 season.

Guerra is hitting just .202/.274/.324 this season for High-A Lake Elsinore.

Guerra, one of the pieces San Diego received as part of the Craig Kimbrel trade with Boston this past offseason, has been disappointing so far after being named a top-100 prospect by many. His current batting line is well below the .279/.329/.449 numbers he put up in 2015 with Low-A Greenville. The Panamanian shortstop just recently turned 20, so there is still plenty of time for improvement and still reason for the Padres to be hopeful.

Reyes allowed a season-high five earned runs in five innings Thursday for Triple-A Memphis, allowing five hits and four walks with just three strikeouts.

Those looking for Reyes to get the call to the big leagues might have to wait a little longer, as the talented right-hander got knocked around for just the second time this season. After missing the first month and a half of the season due to a suspension for marijuana, Reyes had pitched very well before Thursday, piling up a whopping 45 strikeouts in his first 26 innings. He's widely regarded as one of the best pitching prospects in baseball, and may well be starting for the Cardinals in 2017 if not later this season.

Estevez (1-4) entered a tie game in the ninth inning Thursday against Arizona and proceeded to allow a run on three hits to take the loss.

Hey, if this is what amounts to a Coors Field disaster for the Rockies' interim closer, his fantasy owners will take it. Estevez had delivered seven straight scoreless outings prior to this one; he's generally been an asset in the ninth, so he's worth owning while Jake McGee (knee) continues his recovery.

Rodney struck out a pair of Reds and walked one during a scoreless ninth for his 16th save Thursday.

After giving up his first earned run of while season while recording a save Tuesday, Rodney bounced back while still showing off the swing-and-miss stuff he's been flashing lately. The Padres' closer has whiffed an impressive 10 batters in his last 4.1 innings.

Vizcaino worked around a walk and benefited from a couple hard-hit outs Thursday against the Mets, collecting his ninth save with a scoreless frame.

Issuing a leadoff walk to Matt Reynolds could very well have come back to bite Vizcaino, as Curtis Granderson and Asdrubal Cabrera both scorched balls right at Braves fielders, then James Loney's hooking liner was tracked down by left fielder Emilio Bonifacio to end the game. The 25-year-old Dominican won't complain about the batted-ball luck, that's for sure. The walks, however, are a bit concerning -- he has a 4.31 BB/9 now.

Johnson (hand) will head back to the DL on Thursday with a blister on his pitching hand, Tommy Birch of the Des Moines Register reports.

Almost two weeks ago Johnson was activated off the disabled list as he recovered from a lat injury that had sidelined him since mid-April. Johnson shouldn't miss too much time with a blister on his right hand, but he likely won't return until July.

Lopez has struck out 33 batters in his last three starts at Double-A Harrrisburg. He has also recorded double-digit strikeouts in three of his last five starts. On the season, he owns a 3.56 ERA with 90 strikeouts in 68.1 innings.

Lopez can often struggle with his command, but there's no doubt he possesses swing and miss stuff. The Nationals would love to see Lopez stick as a starter, but a chance to be a closer down the road doesn't sound like a bad alternative. Lopez is nearing his innings count from 2015, so don't expect to see him with the Nationals later this year.

Gearrin picked up his 11th hold of the season after tossing a shutout inning in Wednesday's 7-6 win over Pittsburgh.

Gearrin has returned to his role as the team's setup man with Santiago Casilla back from paternity leave. He notched his second save of the season this past weekend and should be first in line to see save opportunities should Casilla falter or go down to injury.

Hernandez picked up his second loss of the season Wednesday after allowing one run on two hits in an inning of relief.

Hernandez has allowed runs in each of his last four appearances raising his ERA to 4.41. He's allowed two home runs, struck out five, walked four and threw two wild pitches during those last four outings. He's been very good overall this season, but might deserve to be benched until he comes out of this rough patch.