MLB Player News

Llovera's contract was selected from Triple-A Sacramento prior to Friday's game against the Nationals, Evan Webeck of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

The Giants have multiple relievers on the COVID-19 injured list, so Llovera will provide reinforcement for the bullpen. He's struck out 14 and walked two over 10.2 scoreless innings through six appearances at Triple-A this season.

Junis was optioned to Triple-A Sacramento on Friday, John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

This is noteworthy because Junis had logged 10 shutout innings with 10 strikeouts through his first two appearances, so the move wasn't necessarily deserved. Alex Cobb (groin) is expected to join the rotation early next week, so the Giants will add bullpen reinforcements for the weekend.

Underwood (hamstring) will begin a rehab assignment Friday with Low-A Bradenton, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

With Pittsburgh sending Underwood to the lower levels, it would seem he will need several appearances before potentially being activated. Once healthy, he could earn a high-leverage role in the bullpen.

Kranick (forearm) was reinstated from the 10-day injured list and optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis on Friday, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

He gave up four runs (three earned) over 6.2 innings over three rehab appearances. Kranick could rejoin the big club as either a starter or multi-inning reliever.

Holton was optioned to Triple-A Reno on Thursday.

Holton had his contract selected earlier in the day but didn't even last a full 24 hours on the major-league roster. He did get to make his big-league debut, striking out one batter while allowing two hits in a scoreless inning of relief against the Cardinals.

Melancon was placed on the injured list for undisclosed reasons Friday.

The Diamondbacks declined to specify both the reason for Melancon's absence and which injured list he'd been placed on, which is the pattern teams have used when a player lands on the COVID-19 injured list. Whether or not Melancon has tested positive for the virus himself is unclear. If he has, he could miss over a week, but it's also possible he's merely a close contact or is dealing with the symptoms of an unrelated illness. Ian Kennedy could see save chances while Melancon is unavailable, as could lefty Joe Mantiply, the only Diamondback other than Melancon to record a save this season.

Leone was placed on the COVID-19 injured list Friday after he tested positive for the virus, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Leone has made nine relief appearances for the Giants this year, and he's earned a save and two holds while posting a 2.57 ERA and 1.57 WHIP in seven innings. He's vaccinated and boosted and will be eligible to rejoin the club as soon as he clears the league's health and safety protocols.

VerHagen (hip) could return from the 10-day injured list as early as Monday, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

VerHagen will throw a side session Saturday, and he'll likely be cleared to rejoin the Cardinals following a minimal stay on the IL as long as he feels good after throwing. The right-hander posted a 5.79 ERA and 1.93 WHIP in 4.2 innings over his first three appearances in 2022.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Wednesday that Gonzalez (elbow) could join the big club in mid-to-late May, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Gonzalez has yet to pitch in a game this season due to inflammation in his left elbow that first cropped up in spring training. The left-hander is expected to start a rehab assignment soon and has recently been tossing bullpen sessions.

Kranick (forearm) allowed one unearned run on one hit and one walk while striking out two across three innings in a rehab start with Triple-A Indianapolis on Thursday.

This was Kranick's second rehab outing with Indianapolis and his longest appearance of the season as he works his way back from a forearm strain he sustained during the lockout. The 24-year-old made his major-league debut in 2021 but struggled to a 6.28 ERA with a 1.71 WHIP across 38.2 innings. He is likely to remain in Triple-A after being activated from the injured list, but given the current state of the Pirates' starting staff, Kranick could be called upon to enter the big-league rotation at some point this season.