MLB Player News

Hoffman struck out one in a perfect ninth inning Wednesday to record his ninth save of the season in a 4-3 win over the Dodgers.

Jose Alvarado was called upon to face Freddie Freeman and the heart of the Los Angeles order in the eighth inning, leaving the save chance to Hoffman. That's been the norm of late, as Hoffman has saves in four straight appearances since June 30, while Alvarado has only one save and one hold during that time. Hoffman's performance has earned him increased responsibility, as he hasn't walked a batter in over a month and has a 1.69 ERA, 0.56 WHIP and 13:0 K:BB over his last 10.2 innings. Manager Rob Thomson will play matchups in high-leverage spots with the left-handed Alvarado and the right-handed Hoffman, but the latter seems the better bet for saves heading into the All-Star break.

Sewald pitched a perfect ninth inning to pick up the save over Atlanta on Wednesday.

Sewald entered the contest with a two-run lead in the ninth and needed only eight pitches to retire the side for his 12th save of the campaign. It was a nice bounce-back effort for the closer, who had allowed multiple runs and blown a save in his previous three outings. It was also Sewald's third appearance in which he didn't allow any hits or walks over his last six.

Hoeing (0-2) allowed five runs (four earned) on eight hits and a walk while striking out one over three innings to take the loss versus the Astros on Wednesday.

Hoeing completed three innings again, but the Astros established a large lead after the second frame. The 27-year-old has taken the loss in both of his starts since joining the Marlins' rotation, and he's not fully stretched out after throwing just 62 pitches (39 strikes) Wednesday. He's at a 3.16 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 21:7 K:BB through 25.2 innings over 13 appearances, though he's had more success as a reliever. It's unclear if Hoeing will remain in the rotation following the All-Star break.

Pallante (4-4) took the loss against Kansas City in Game 1 of Wednesday's doubleheader, allowing four runs on six hits and no walks while striking out five batters over 6.1 innings.

Pallante cruised through four scoreless, one-hit frames before the Royals struck for three runs on four hits in the fifth. The right-hander was allowed to return for the sixth but was pulled after giving up a tiebreaking solo homer to Salvador Perez with one out. Pallante was consequently stuck with the loss, as St. Louis was unable to catch up. Despite the defeat, Pallante recorded his second-longest outing of the campaign while recording exactly five punchouts for his fourth straight appearance.

Beeks allowed two runs on three hits over one inning to earn the save in Wednesday's 6-5 win over the Reds.

Victor Vodnik gave up a solo home run to lead off the ninth inning, creating a save situation. Beeks entered the contest and had trouble getting things under control, but he ultimately had enough runway to work with. Over his last seven appearances, Beeks has given up nine runs (eight earned) with a 5:1 K:BB over 7.2 innings, converting three of his five save chances in that span. He's at nine saves, five holds and six blown saves this season while pitching to a 4.40 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 34:17 K:BB through 45 innings overall. With a weak bullpen and a bottom-five record in the majors, save chances are likely to be limited for Colorado, and the team's committee approach makes it tough to roster any of its high-leverage options.

The Rockies reinstated Bird (groin) from the 15-day injured list Wednesday and optioned him to Triple-A Albuquerque.

Bird has been on the injured list since June 26 due to a right groin strain. He's since thrown one rehab inning in Triple-A, surrendering three hits but allowing none to score, and he'll remain with the Isotopes now that he's fully recovered. The 28-year-old righty owns a 6.26 ERA and 1.87 WHIP in 23 MLB innings, so he'll likely need to show consistent success in the minors before he's invited back into the Rockies' bullpen.

Atlanta recalled Lee from Triple-A Gwinnett on Wednesday.

Lee was dispatched to the minors on Monday, and he'll now be called upon to replace AJ Smith-Shawver, who was optioned to Triple-A. Lee has emerged as a reliable option out of the bullpen for Atlanta, logging a 2.00 ERA and 1.14 WHIP in 36 innings, though the amount of talent in the team's bullpen has limited him to a middle-relief role.

The Cardinals recalled Graceffo from Triple-A Memphis to start Game 2 of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Royals.

The 24-year-old will make the first start of his MLB career in Wednesday's nightcap while serving as the 27th man for the twin bill, and he should be sent back to Memphis after the contest. Graceffo has pitched to a 3.86 ERA and 71:31 K:BB over 77 innings at Triple-A this season and fared well during his MLB debut in late June, when he allowed one run across 4.1 innings of long relief versus the Reds.

Kilian (shoulder) struck out two over two perfect innings in his rehab start Tuesday with High-A South Bend.

Kilian tossed 21 pitches in the outing while the Cubs continue to ease the right-hander along slowly as he makes his way back from a teres major strain in his right shoulder, an injury that has sidelined him since early March. The 27-year-old will likely require at least three more rehab starts to get fully stretched out for a traditional starter's workload, so he may not be activated until late July or early August. Once Kilian is reinstated, the Cubs could elect to option him to Triple-A Iowa, if the big club doesn't have an opening in its rotation.

The Padres recalled Gillaspie from Triple-A El Paso on Wednesday.

Since making his last appearance in the majors May 20, Gillaspie has logged a 2.76 ERA and 1.16 WHIP in 16.1 innings in Triple-A. He'll now rejoin the big-league club to give the Padres some additional bullpen depth heading into the All-Star break. Adam Mazur was optioned to El Paso in a corresponding move.