MLB Player News

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.

A day after getting roughed up by the Giants, Boscan has been optioned back to Triple-A, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports.

Boscan pitched three scoreless innings Tuesday before the wheels came off in the fourth, allowing seven earned runs to the Giants. The 26-year-old righty will head back to Triple-A Indianapolis to make room for lefty Kyle Lobstein.

Rusin (shoulder) threw off a slope Tuesday, marking the first time he's done so since straining his shoulder earlier in the month, Nick Groke of the Denver Post reports.

The session was merely an easy game of catch, but it's good to see Rusin making some progress in his rehab process. The Rockies are planning on taking the left-hander's rehab slowly in order to avoid any hinderances in his recovery, but a firm timetable hasn't been revealed. Things should become clearer once he advances further through his rehab program.

Ottavino (elbow) had his rehab assignment transferred to Triple-A Albuquerque on Tuesday, Nick Groke of the Denver Post reports.

Ottavino pitched four times for High-A Modesto, amassing 2.2 innings of work where he allowed six hits and three runs. Despite what normally wouldn't be viewed as a strong performance, the right-hander maintained his health through each outing, so the Rockies felt confident enough to send him up to face more advanced competition. The plan for the 30-year-old is to throw a complete inning in his next outing and then progress to pitch on back-to-back nights after that. As long as everything continues to go as planned, Ottavino should be able to return around the All-Star break.

Nelson (5-6) tossed five frames, allowing just one run on six hits while walking one and striking out two in a no-decision versus the A's on Tuesday.

The 6-foot-6 right-hander had a chance to win his first game in nearly a month, but the bullpen immediately lost Nelson's one-run lead when they took over in the sixth. After an impressive first couple of months to his 2016 campaign, Nelson has been far from good in June -- he's 0-3 with a 7.50 ERA in four start this month. However, Tuesday's 105-pitch effort lends optimism that he can get back on track as we approach the midway point of the season.

Jensen notched his 21st save of the season with a clean ninth inning against the Nationals on Tuesday.

The 28-year-old is now 21-for-24 in save chances this season, and sports a nifty 1.48 ERA to go along with a 0.69 WHIP. Jansen has given up a run in just three of his 32 appearances this season and has racked up a sweet 35:4 K:BB.

Vizcaino allowed a hit and a walk but struck out three to close it out in the 10th inning Tuesday against Miami.

This marks the fourth time in 31 games that Vizcaino has struck out three in a single-inning appearance. He's one of the nastiest pitchers in the game, as his 44 strikeouts in just 30.1 innings (13.1 K/9) proves. He has converted eight of 10 save opportunities and lowered his ERA to 2.08 with Tuesday's performance.