MLB Player News

Matsui earned a hold against Atlanta on Friday, walking one batter and striking out two over two-thirds of an inning.

Matsui was called upon with two outs in the bottom of the sixth inning with the trying run at the plate, and he struck out Michael Harris to end the frame. The lefty reliever then struck out Orlando Arcia to begin the seventh before walking Adam Duvall, which got him the hook. Interestingly, usual closer Robert Suarez was deployed in a high-leverage spot in the eighth frame Friday, but Matsui -- who was expected to compete for the ninth-inning role after working mostly as a closer during his 10-year career in Japan -- wasn't available to close since he had already been used. If Suarez sees more work before the ninth, it's possible Matsui gets an occasional save chance, though he's mostly struggled in May, allowing four runs on five hits while posting a 6:6 K:BB over 4.2 innings covering six appearances.

Atlanta outrighted Stephens to Triple-A Gwinnett on Saturday.

Stephens came up from the minors May 4 to replace the injured Pierce Johnson, and will now return to Triple-A as Johnson comes off the IL. Stephens made three appearances in his latest big-league stint, allowing one run over 3.1 innings while striking out two batters and walking one.

Atlanta reinstated Johnson (elbow) from the 15-day injured list Saturday.

Right elbow inflammation forced Johnson onto the injured list May 4, and he'll now return to Atlanta's bullpen following a minimum-length stay. The 33-year-old righty sports a 3.00 ERA and 1.25 WHIP through 12 innings this season, and he figures to see plenty of action during Atlanta's stretch of 17 consecutive games without a day off. Jackson Stephens was optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett in a corresponding move.

Hjelle (1-1) allowed three hits and struck out one without walking a batter over two scoreless innings to earn the win Friday over the Rockies.

Hjelle was in the game when the Giants rallied ahead in the fifth inning, and they kept the lead the rest of the way. The right-hander has been decent in May, allowing two runs on 11 hits with a 14:0 K:BB over 10 innings across his last seven appearances. He's at a 2.81 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 17:1 K:BB through 16 innings this season as a multi-inning relief option for the Giants. Hjelle's also added two holds, but he has little chance of seeing consistent late-inning work.

Estrada picked up the save Friday against Atlanta. He pitched a perfect inning with three strikeouts.

Estrada notched his first career save by retiring the bottom of the order on 16 pitches. The 25-year-old reliever has dazzled in his first 10.2 innings this season, firing a 0.84 ERA and 0.75 WHIP with 13 strikeouts. However, there shouldn't be any closer controversy in San Diego, as Robert Suarez was called upon earlier in a high-leverage spot, facing the heart of the talented Atlanta lineup in the eighth inning Friday night.

Hoffman earned the save in Friday's 4-2 win over the Nationals, allowing one hit in a scoreless ninth inning.

After Jose Alvarado finished the eighth inning, the Phillies turned to Hoffman in the ninth. The right-hander worked around Joey Gallo's one-out double to record his third save of the season, and his first since April 30. Hoffman's been sharp this year, pitching to a 0.90 ERA with a 0.95 WHIP and 27:7 K:BB over 20 innings. While Alvarado is still Philly's preferred ninth-inning option, Hoffman should see the occasional save chance depending on matchups.

The Reds recalled Spiers from Triple-A Louisville on Friday.

Spiers will come up from the minors to replace Justin Wilson (shoulder), who landed on the 15-day IL on Friday. Spiers allowed three runs in four innings during his season debut in early April, but he has fared much better in Triple-A with a 2.43 ERA and 1.12 WHIP. The 26-year-old right-hander has been used as a starter in seven of his eight appearances at Louisville this year, though he will likely be used as a multi-inning reliever while with the Reds.

The Reds placed Wilson on the 15-day injured list Friday with left shoulder tightness.

Wilson struck out the only batter he faced during Thursday's win over the Dodgers on three pitches, but he is dealing with shoulder problems following the appearance. With the 36-year-old southpaw sidelined for at least the next two weeks, Carson Spiers will come up from Triple-A Louisville to fill the open spot on Cincinnati's pitching staff.

The Dodgers optioned Ramirez to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Friday.

Ramirez was recalled for Thursday's game against the Reds. He pitched 2.1 innings and gave up three runs on five hits and two walks while striking out one batter. Ramirez has appeared in six major-league games this season, registering a 3.86 ERA and 1.50 WHIP over 9.1 frames. The Dodgers recalled right-hander Ricky Vanasco in a corresponding move.

The Dodgers recalled Vanasco from Triple-A Oklahoma City on Friday.

Vanasco made his major-league debut April 15 against the Nationals, throwing two scoreless innings while striking out one batter. He was optioned to Triple-A the next day, and he has not yielded an earned run over his last four relief appearances with Oklahoma City. To make room for Vanasco, the Dodgers optioned southpaw Nick Ramirez to Triple-A Oklahoma City.