MLB Player News

Rodriguez was optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett on Wednesday.

He did not get into a game this time around with the big club after getting recalled Monday. Rodriguez has allowed one run while striking out one and walking two in 2.2 innings across two appearances with the big club this season.

Hicks struck out one in a perfect ninth inning Tuesday to record his fifth save of the season in a 4-2 win over the Astros.

The right-hander topped out at 99.5 mph with his final pitch as he caught Jeremy Pena looking. Hicks has converted saves in five straight appearances since taking over the closer role from Ryan Helsley (forearm), relegating Giovanny Gallegos to setup duties. The notoriously wild Hicks, who has a 13.5 percent walk rate for his career, also hasn't issued a free pass in six straight games, and over the last month he sports a 2.84 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 19:4 K:BB through 12.2 innings. If he can maintain that kind of control, he might well hang onto ninth-inning duties the rest of the year.

Ginkel struck one over one inning in Tuesday's 8-4 win over the Rays.

Ginkel was recalled from Triple-A Reno on Tuesday and pitched a clean eighth inning. He had pitched well for the Diamondbacks prior to being sent down June 12, but the organization needed a roster spot for Joe Mantiply's return from the injured list. The same two were involved in Tuesday's transaction, as Mantiply was optioned after allowing eight earned runs over eight innings. Ginkel will work middle relief.

Doval struck out three without allowing a baserunner over 1.1 scoreless innings to earn the save in Tuesday's 3-0 win over the Blue Jays.

This was the fifth time Doval's been asked to get more than three outs this season, and he's been scored on in just one of those outings. He's given up two runs over 12.1 innings while converting nine saves in June. For the season, Doval owns an excellent 1.95 ERA with a 1.05 WHIP and 52:16 K:BB through 37 innings. He's now 23-for-25 in save chances.

Knehr (0-1) took the loss Tuesday, allowing five runs on six hits and two walks over two innings against the Pirates. He struck out one.

Knehr, called up to fill in for Yu Darvish (illness) on Tuesday, was tagged for three runs in the second inning before surrendering a pair of solo home runs in the third. The 26-year-old right-hander has allowed 10 runs while sporting a 2.65 WHIP through just 5.2 innings this season. Knehr will likely return to Triple-A, where he'll serve as a depth option for the Padres.

Phillips picked up the save in Tuesday's 5-0 win over Colorado. He threw a scoreless one-third of an inning.

Phillips entered with the bases loaded and two outs after Phil Bickford handed out three walks in the inning, but he managed to retire his first batter and grab his 11th save of the campaign. After going over a month without logging a save, Phillips has logged four in the last week and looks to be the Dodgers preferred ninth-inning arm at the moment, ahead of Brusdar Graterol.

Mears left Tuesday's appearance against the Dodgers with a strained left oblique, Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post reports.

The right-hander threw a scoreless inning before being replaced by Matt Koch. For now, Mears should be considered day-to-day, but the Rockies will likely have him undergo further testing to see if a trip to the injured list is required.

Chavez (shin) is making progress, but he won't be ready to come off the injured list when first eligible, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Chavez would be eligible to come off the injured list this weekend against the Marlins, but the right-hander won't be ready to do so. It's likely Chavez will need a rehab assignment because of his relatively lengthy absence, and he likely won't be back in the Atlanta bullpen until around the All-Star break, at the very earliest.

Naughton underwent surgery to repair the flexor tendon in his left elbow Monday, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

The good news is that Naughton didn't require UCL repair surgery, but the 27-year-old southpaw is facing an extended absence nonetheless. Naughton most likely won't return until 2024, putting an end to his season after throwing just five scoreless innings in April.

The Mets optioned Nittoli to Triple-A Syracuse on Tuesday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

After being promoted from Syracuse on Friday, Nittoli will head back to Triple-A after making two scoreless appearances with New York. Nittoli holds a 3.81 ERA and 1.15 WHIP through 26 innings in the minors this season and could return to the bigs if the Mets are ever in need of a fresh arm in the bullpen.