MLB Player News

Smeltzer (3-0) picked up the win in Friday's 9-4 victory over the Rays, giving up three runs on four hits and three walks over six-plus innings. He struck out three.

All three runs off Smeltzer came on a trio of solo shots, with two of them coming back-to-back to lead off the seventh inning, but the Twins had already built a 7-1 lead at that point. The quality start was the third in six outings for the southpaw, and Smeltzer sports a 2.38 ERA and 0.97 WHIP despite a poor 12.5 percent strikeout rate through 34 innings.

Long will start Saturday's game versus the Dodgers, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

With Alex Cobb (neck) out, the Giants have elected to give Long a start rather than cobble together another bullpen game. Long will be on only three days' rest after his longest outing of the season Tuesday versus the Rockies (three innings), so it doesn't seem likely he'll qualify for the win. The southpaw has a 2.35 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 10:7 K:BB through 15.1 innings in 11 appearances (three starts) this year.

Swanson (elbow) struck out one in a perfect inning during Friday's 4-3 loss to the Red Sox.

Swanson missed a month with right elbow inflammation. He was effective in his return, throwing 17 pitches (12 strikes) to complete his first inning since May 10. Prior to his stint on the injured list, he gave up runs in consecutive outings, though those were the first runs on his ledger all year. He owns a 1.20 ERA, 0.73 WHIP, 22:1 K:BB and three holds in 15 innings across 14 appearances overall, so he could be in line for some high-leverage work.

Junis was diagnosed with a left hamstring strain after exiting Friday's game against the Dodgers in the top of the sixth inning, Andrew Baggarly of The Athletic reports.

Junis limped off the field after slipping on the mound in the top of the sixth inning, and he's dealing with a hamstring strain. The grade of the strain isn't yet clear, and the team hasn't revealed whether the right-hander will require a trip to the injured list. If he's able to make his next start, Junis tentatively lines up to take the mound at home against the Royals on Wednesday.

Lopez allowed a hit while striking out three batters over two shutout frames as the opener during Friday's win over the Rangers.

Lopez coughed up a single to Sam Huff in the second inning but was otherwise perfect in his short outing. He lowered his season ERA to 3.96 through 25 frames. It was the first time that he completed at least two innings since May 26.

Junis was removed from Friday's game against the Dodgers in the top of the sixth inning due to an apparent left hamstring injury, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

Junis slipped on the mound in the top of the sixth inning and appeared to be grabbing at his left hamstring as he limped off the field afterward. The right-hander threw 92 pitches (64 strikes) prior to his departure and allowed two runs on five hits and a walk while striking out five in five innings. The severity of his injury hasn't yet been revealed.

Miller signed a minor-league contract with the Giants on Wednesday.

Miller was let go by the Yankees last week but landed a minor-league deal with San Francisco a week later. The 31-year-old will report to Triple-A Sacramento to begin his time with his new organization.

Heasley (1-3) allowed one hit over seven shutout innings Friday, striking out seven and recording a win over the Orioles.

Heasley was terrific Friday, coughing up just one single while throwing 64 of 93 pitches for strikes. He retired the final 12 batters he faced after Trey Mancini reached base on an error in the fourth frame. Heasley lowered his ERA to 3.62 with a 22:18 K:BB through 32.1 innings this season. The 25-year-old is lined up to start in San Francisco next week.

Helsley struck out two in a perfect inning to earn the save in Friday's 2-0 win over the Reds.

The Cardinals went ahead 2-0 in the first inning, and Helsley was able to protect that lead in the ninth for his fourth save of the season. The right-hander has logged 5.2 scoreless innings in his last four appearances, though he has a blown save in that span for allowing inherited runners to score last Saturday. The 27-year-old has been excellent this year with a 0.39 ERA, 0.51 WHIP, 32:6 K:BB, four holds and a 2-0 record through 19 appearances across 23.1 innings. Giovanny Gallegos allowed three walks in a scoreless eighth inning for the hold Friday -- he and Helsley should continue to be the top candidates for closing duties.

Zimmermann (2-5) allowed seven runs on 10 hits over 4.2 innings Friday, striking out two and taking a loss against the Royals.

Zimmermann got off to a poor start by yielding three runs in the first inning, including a two-run shot from Salvador Perez. He later coughed up an RBI double to Perez in the fourth followed by MJ Melendez's three-run homer in the fifth. Over his last five starts, Zimmerman has allowed 27 runs over 25.2 frames (9.47 ERA) with a 1.68 WHIP. The 27-year-old is projected to take the mound in Toronto next week.