MLB Player News

Hentges was optioned to Triple-A Columbus on Friday, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.

Hentges has struggled during his last three starts, allowing 16 earned runs on 17 hits across 10.1 innings. With the All-Star break offering the club rotation flexibility, there's a chance that Hentges could be brought back to the big leagues following the break, but that decision likely won't be made until some time next week. Triston McKenzie was recalled in a corresponding roster move to start Friday.

Garcia signed a major-league contract with the Cardinals on Friday.

The veteran righty has had some effective seasons in the past, and his career 4.26 ERA in 315 innings at the highest level is respectable enough, but it's unclear how much he has left in the tank at age 34. He threw just 8.1 innings for the Rangers last season, struggling to a 7.56 ERA, and he's yet to make his season debut this year. He's pitched well enough in 17.1 innings for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in the Yankees' system, posting a 3.63 ERA and 27.5 percent strikeout rate, so he could still be useful in lower-leverage situations for his new team.

Abbott was optioned to Triple-A Iowa on Friday, Tony Andracki of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Abbott was only with the big-league club for two days and got knocked around in his lone appearance, allowing four runs in three innings of relief against the Phillies on Thursday. He now owns a 6.35 ERA and 1.76 WHIP in 11.1 innings thus far in his rookie season.

Melancon (2-1) won Thursday's 9-8 game against the Nationals, pitching one inning and permitting a walk.

Melancon entered an 8-8 tie in the top of the ninth and did his job by keeping Washington off the board, then became the winner when San Diego walked it off in the bottom of the inning. The MLB saves leader has proven to be an extremely reliable option as the Padres have lost only three of the 37 games Melancon has pitched. He should remain a go-to option for manager Jayce Tingler for the foreseeable future.

Rogers earned the save in Thursday's 5-3 victory over the Tigers, pitching a 1-2-3 ninth with one strikeout.

Manager Rocco Baldelli called on Rogers to protect a two-run lead in the ninth and the lefty delivered with his first save in nearly three weeks. In that time, co-closer Hansel Robles has three saves. The situation appears to be matchup dependent.

Wittgren allowed a walk and struck out one in a scoreless inning during Thursday's 7-4 win over Kansas City.

Scoreless innings have been hard to come by for Wittgren -- he's given up five runs in his last 6.2 innings. The right-hander remains in a fairly low-leverage role with a 4.70 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 33:7 K:BB through 30.2 innings. He's picked up a save and six holds, but he's only recorded three holds in his last 16 appearances.

Maton struck out two in a perfect inning in Thursday's 7-4 win over Kansas City.

The 28-year-old pitched the fifth inning after starter Zach Plesac gave up three runs in four innings in his first start back from a broken thumb. Maton has strung together 5.1 scoreless innings in his last five appearances, which is his longest scoreless streak of the year. The reliever has a 4.93 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 50:16 K:BB across 34.2 innings in a low-leverage role.

Barlow allowed three runs on a hit and two walks with one strikeout in one inning, taking a blown save in Thursday's 7-4 loss to Cleveland.

Barlow pitched the eighth inning, but he wasn't able to get through it without giving up a three-run home run to Cleveland catcher Roberto Perez. This was Barlow's second blown save in as many outings, although he avoided taking the loss as he did Wednesday versus Cincinnati. The right-hander has a 2.95 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 60:19 K:BB through 42.2 innings this season. With both Barlow and Greg Holland struggling recently, Josh Staumont or Kyle Zimmer could see more high-leverage work in Kansas City's closing committee.

Williams (6-1) struck out two in a perfect inning, earning the win in Thursday's victory over Cincinnati.

Williams did his job to keep the game tied through the top of the eighth, and Avisail Garcia put Milwaukee ahead in the bottom half of the frame. In his last seven outings, Williams has produced some solid value with four wins and three holds. The setup man has a 3.06 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 51:20 K:BB across 32.1 innings this season. He's added 15 holds and three blown saves in 36 appearances.

Hader struck out two in a perfect inning to earn the save in Thursday's 5-3 win over Cincinnati.

The lefty took his first blown save of the year in Game 1 of Wednesday's doubleheader versus the Mets. Manager Craig Counsell showed no hesitation to turn back to Hader on Thursday, and the 27-year-old was back to his usual dominant self. He's now 21-for-22 in save chances with a 0.78 ERA, 0.72 WHIP and 59:12 K:BB across 34.2 innings.