MLB Player News

Llovera was optioned to Triple-A Sacramento on Friday, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

He will likely be back up in short order after giving up one run on three hits and zero walks while striking out five over four innings -- all in the past calendar week. Sean Hjelle will take a spot in the big-league bullpen.

Long was optioned to Triple-A Sacramento on Friday, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

He had a 3.48 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and eight strikeouts in 10.1 innings through nine appearances. Sean Hjelle was promoted to take a spot in the big-league bullpen.

Hjelle was recalled from Triple-A Sacramento prior to Friday's game against the Cardinals, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

He will be available out of the bullpen Friday. The Giants felt it was a good spot for his potential debut with the Cardinals' lineup being so righty-heavy. Hjelle, who turns 25 on Saturday, is one of the tallest pitchers to ever potentially pitch in the majors at 6-foot-11. He had a 4.37 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and 14 strikeouts in 22.2 innings through five starts at Triple-A.

Martin was optioned to Triple-A Reno on Friday.

He had a 4.40 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 14:6 K:BB in 14.1 innings working as a long reliever with the big club. Marin will presumably stay relatively stretched out at Triple-A.

Melancon (undisclosed) was activated from the injured list prior to Friday's game against the Rockies.

Ian Kennedy notched three saves in three appearances over the last six days, so Melancon could have some competition for saves going forward, although he is still the presumed top closing option at this point.

Kranick will serve as the Pirates' 27th man for their doubleheader Saturday against Cincinnati, Justice delos Santos of MLB.com reports.

Mitch Keller will start the afternoon game, but the Pirates have yet to announce who will start the nightcap. That job now looks like it could go to Kranick, though it's also possible he'll be tasked with providing length out of the bullpen. He missed the start of the year while recovering from a right forearm strain and owns a 3.12 ERA through four minor-league appearances, none of which lasted longer than three innings.

Farmer was designated for assignment by the Reds on Friday.

Farmer earned a spot on the Opening Day roster but will lose his place on the 40-man roster after posting a 6.75 ERA, 1.83 WHIP and 17:7 K:BB across 12 innings. The 31-year-old could head to Triple-A Louisville if he passes through waivers unclaimed.

Schreiber was recalled from Triple-A Worcester on Friday, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

The 28-year-old was demoted to Worcester last week but will return to Boston with Rich Hill (undisclosed) landing on the COVID-19 injured list. Schreiber has appeared in two big-league games this season and has delivered 2.1 scoreless innings.

Hernandez and the Royals won't play against the Orioles on Friday after the game was postponed due to inclement weather, Lynn Worthy of The Kansas City Star reports.

Friday's matchup will be made up as part of a doubleheader Sunday. Hernandez will take the mound Saturday against Baltimore, while Daniel Lynch will take the mound in Sunday's matinee with Zack Greinke pitching in the nightcap. Hernandez has posted a 6.00 ERA and 1.89 WHIP in 18 innings over four starts this season.

Garcia earned a hold Thursday against Miami, pitching a scoreless inning during which he allowed one hit.

Starter Nick Martinez allowed only one run in seven frames, but the Padres held a narrow 2-1 lead when Garcia took over in the eighth. The right-hander allowed a two-out single to Jazz Chisholm and then saw Chisholm swipe second base, but Garcia retired Jesus Aguilar to end the threat and notch a hold. The reliever has allowed five runs over 8.2 innings this season, but only two of the runs have been earned. More promisingly, he has surrendered only five hits and posted a 6:0 K:BB.