MLB Player News

McHugh will start Sunday's game against the Blue Jays, Kevin McAlpin of 680 The Fan Atlanta reports.

McHugh hasn't covered more than three innings or 41 pitches in any of his prior nine relief appearances this season, so he likely won't push too far past those limits as he makes his first start since 2021. Depending on how he fares Sunday, Atlanta could have McHugh get stretched out for a permanent spot in the rotation, given that all of Max Fried (forearm), Kyle Wright (shoulder), Kolby Allard (oblique), Huascar Ynoa (elbow) and Ian Anderson (elbow) are on the shelf with long-term injuries.

Herget was optioned to Triple-A Louisville on Saturday, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Herget was recalled Tuesday and earned his first big-league save two days later, though it was of the three-inning variety rather than one which suggested he was on the verge of a high-leverage role. He'll head back to the minors to make way for Levi Stoudt.

Lamet (back) participated in a live bullpen session Saturday, Patrick Lyons of TheDNVR.com reports.

Rockies manager Bud Black told reporters after the session that he looked healthy with a focus on improving his delivery and confidence when he returns. Lamet has dealt with injuries throughout his career, but he has a chance to return to the Colorado bullpen in a mid-to-late innings role within the next couple weeks.

Ortiz was optioned to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Saturday.

Ortiz had been with the big-league club for nearly a month. In 10 innings, he struck out 10 batters and walked three while posting a 2.70 ERA and 1.30 WHIP. Ranger Suarez (elbow) was activated off the injured list in a corresponding move.

Junis (2-2) allowed two runs (one earned) on two hits and a walk with two strikeouts in 1.2 innings Friday versus the Diamondbacks, taking the loss.

Junis got the last two outs of the fifth inning in relief of Ross Stripling, but he couldn't carry that success into the sixth. Arizona pounced for two runs and the Giants couldn't bounce back. Junis has been scored on in five of his nine appearances this season while operating primarily as a long reliever. He's now at a 5.14 ERA, 1.81 WHIP and 21:10 K:BB across 21 innings.

Law will be used as an opener again Saturday against the Marlins, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

Nick Lodolo was expected to start but was scratched due to a sore calf, so it will be Law on the mound to start and potentially Levi Stoudt who handles the bulk of the innings. Law also opened Thursday's game against the Mets, throwing 1.1 scoreless innings with a walk and a strikeout.

Phillips picked up the save in Friday's 4-2 victory over San Diego. He allowed one hit while striking out two over 1.2 scoreless innings. He did not walk a batter.

Phillips has been reliable all season, posting a 1.93 ERA and 0.86 WHIP across 14 innings. The right-hander has not blown a save this year. The 28-year-old isn't considered among the game's elite closers, but he's a safe bet to get the job done whenever he enters the game.

Robertson walked two and struck out four over 1.2 scoreless innings Friday to record his fourth hold of the season in a 3-2 win over the Nationals.

The veteran right-hander was put in position to try and get a six-out save, but after breezing through the eighth inning Robertson ran out of steam in the ninth, eventually throwing 40 pitches (20 strikes) before he needed Drew Smith to finish things out and collect the save. Given that hefty workload, Robertson likely won't be available for a save chance Saturday should one arise, and he might end up getting Sunday off too. On the season, the 38-year-old is a perfect 7-for-7 in converting save opportunities with a 0.53 ERA, 0.88 WHIP and 24:7 K:BB through 17 innings.

Smith struck out the only batter he faced to record his first career save in Friday's 3-2 win over the Nationals.

Manager Buck Showalter didn't want to take any chances once the Mets grabbed the lead in the sixth inning, and after Adam Ottavino worked a scoreless seventh, David Robertson was asked to try and get a six-out save. When Robertson ran out of gas in the ninth inning after throwing 40 pitches, however, Smith was on hand to bail him out. Smith has earned his high-leverage spot with a 1.88 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 20:7 K:BB through 14.1 innings, collecting two wins and seven holds in 16 appearances along with Friday's save, but he's unlikely to see consistent save opportunities barring an injury to either Robertson or Ottavino.

Chafin allowed two hits and struck out one over one inning to earn a hold in Friday's 7-5 win over San Francisco.

Chafin entered with one out and a runner on in the eighth inning against a string of scheduled lefties. He allowed the inherited runner to score but managed to preserve the lead and got the first batter of the ninth out before Miguel Castro finished the game against right-handed batters. Chafin has been the club's primary closer but has hit a rough patch of late, giving up four runs on seven hits over his last two-plus innings.