MLB Player News

Since being called up April 15, Law has posted a 3.00 ERA with 12 strikeouts in 12 innings.

Law was called up when Sergio Romo (forearm) was placed on the disabled list. He has done a great job of filling the void, using his low-to-mid 90s fastball and two breaking balls to generate positive results. Despite his early success, he will be a possible candidate to be sent down when Romo returns due to his lack of experience and presence of minor league options.

Miller (1-5) took the loss against the Yankees on Wednesday night, allowing three runs, 10 hits and two walks while striking out five over 5.2 innings.

Objectively, the damage could have been much more severe, given the amount of baserunners he allowed. It was Miller's fourth loss in his last five starts, but he managed to lower his ERA to a season-best (yet still awful) 6.64. His next start will be on the road Tuesday against the Pirates.

Pomeranz (4-4) was the tough-luck loser Wednesday against the Giants. He pitched six innings, allowing just two runs, four hits and two walks while striking out five.

Hunter Pence took the lefty deep in the fourth inning to end Pomeranz's scoreless streak at 18 innings, the longest run by a Padres pitcher this season. On Pence's homer, Pomeranz's fastball -- intended to go up and in -- got a bit too much of the plate, and proved to be all the offense the Giants needed to grab a 2-1 win. The 27-year-old continues to impress, sporting a 1.96 ERA and 1.07 WHIP through 46 innings (eight starts).

Vizcaino picked up his fourth save Wednesday against the Pirates. He was called on with two outs in the eighth inning and allowed one hit (a solo homer in the ninth) and struck out one.

Under the leadership of interim manager Brian Snitker (the Braves dismissed Fredi Gonzalez on Tuesday), Vizcaino was called on to get out of a jam in the eighth. He stranded the two runners he inherited by getting Andrew McCutchen to fly out. Vizcaino is 4-for-5 in save opportunities this season, however he is a low-end fantasy closer as the Braves don't win many games (league worst .256 win percentage).

Nelson struggled with his control Wednesday -- he walked four, hit a batter and threw a wild pitch -- but still managed to hold the Cubs scoreless on five hits over 7.1 innings. He struck out five and didn't receive a decision in an eventual 12-inning defeat.

Nelson's first scoreless outing of the season lowered his ERA to a shiny 3.07 and gave the Brewers a chance to win, but Jeremy Jeffress blew the save. Now seems like the most opportune moment to sell high on Nelson -- while he does have the upside to be this good, perception of his value may be at an all-time peak, while his peripherals are screaming for regression.

Rusin (1-2) held the Cardinals to two runs on six hits over six innings Wednesday, but was stuck with a tough-luck loss. He struck out five and walked two.

The lefty hasn't had much success either at Coors Field or on the road in his career, but he did take advantage of a road date this time; unfortunately, his efforts were in vain with Adam Wainwright and the St. Louis bullpen silencing the Rockies' offense. This was an impressive effort against the second-best offense in the National League, but Rusin's next task will be facing the best offense in baseball right now, the Red Sox, on Tuesday.

Castro (shoulder) was activated off the disabled list, and optioned to Triple-A Albuquerque on Wednesday.

Castro last played for the Rockies in an April 17 stint prior to injuring his shoulder and being placed on the DL. He made a rehab appearance with Albuquerque on Monday, and struck out one batter while also giving up a home run. He pitched very well with the Rockies earlier this season, so he figures to be back up with the big club later summer.

Gomez retired the side in order against the Marlins to record his league-leading 16th save of the season.

The 28-year-old has been absolutely sensational for the surprising Phillies. Gomez converted his first nine saves opportunities of the season before his first blown one and has recorded seven straight since then. His 16 saves leads all of baseball and no other closer has more than 13. Gomez also supports a 2.66 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 17 strikeouts in 23.2 innings.

Smith (knee) is set to throw live BP on Saturday, Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Smith has thrown successful bullpen sessions and has completed PFP and agility drills as he continues his recovery from a torn LCL. The next step in the 26-year-old's rehab process is throwing live batting practice and then completing an eventual rehab assignment. If he can complete those steps without any setbacks, he should still be in line for a return to the Brewers bullpen sometime in mid-June.

Hoffman, 23, has submitted a 2.45 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, and 42:16 K:BB ratio across 47.2 innings at Triple-A Albuquerque.

While pitching at Albuquerque isn't quite as challenging as Coors Field, it's still a fairly hitter-friendly environment, so it's quite encouraging that Hoffman has excelled to this extent. The Rockies probably aren't tabbing Hoffman for a full-time role in the rotation until 2017, but he could push up that timeline if he continues to thrive at Triple-A or if one of the Rockies' back-end starters starts to falter.