MLB Player News

Smith allowed no hits and three walks while striking out three in the ninth inning to earn the save against the Cubs on Friday.

Smith has now put together three consecutive scoreless outings, and he earned his third save of the year in Friday's series opener. The southpaw has also been charged with two losses in his first eight appearances and has posted a 3.86 ERA and 1.29 WHIP with 12 strikeouts in seven innings this year.

Lamet (elbow) threw 70-75 pitches in a sim game Thursday and will toss a bullpen session this weekend, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

Lamet has been increasingly ramping up and now appears close to making his season debut for the Padres. If his bullpen session goes well, he could return to pitch in San Diego's upcoming series against Milwaukee. The most logical target date would have Lamet starting Wednesday in the spot previously occupied by the injured Adrian Morejon (elbow).

Hernandez (biceps) has been able to throw from 60 feet, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Hernandez failed to complete the third inning of his first start of the year before being forced to exit with biceps tendon inflammation. He remains without a clear timeline for his return, but the fact that he's begun throwing in some capacity represents a step in the right direction.

Doval was recalled by the Giants on Friday.

Doval has yet to pitch above High-A, but he's produced strong numbers in the lower minors, recording a 3.31 ERA and a 33.7 percent strikeout rate in 163.1 innings of relief. He'll likely be used in low-leverage situations due to his lack of upper-minors experience. Johnny Cueto (lat) landed in the injured list in a corresponding move.

Howard was optioned to the Phillies' alternate site Wednesday.

Howard's first major-league appearance of the season came in a one-inning relief stint during Tuesday's doubleheader against the Mets. He allowed a run on two hits, walking one and striking out one. He's still seen by the Phillies as one of their top pitching prospects and he's likely to join the active roster for good at some point this year, but it's not clear when that time will come.

Floro (0-1) allowed two earned runs on three hits and two walks while striking out one across a third of an inning Thursday against Atlanta, blowing the save and taking the loss.

Floro was called upon to protect a one-run lead in the ninth inning but faltered. He struggled with his control, with his second walk of the frame forcing in the tying run. Floro is considered an option for to pick up saves after Anthony Bass struggled in the role early this season, and he had not allowed an earned run across 6.1 innings while accruing an impressive 8:1 K:BB prior to Thursday's outing. However, Yimi Garcia -- who was likely unavailable to pitch in this game -- has the club's only two saves of the season to this point.

Davidson was optioned to Atlanta's alternate training site Thursday.

Davidson was called up Wednesday but did not appear in either of the team's two games since. The move is presumably to create a roster spot for Sunday's starter against the Cubs, currently projected to be Bryse Wilson.

Graterol (conditioning) is throwing Thursday at the alternate site and will be on the taxi squad for the Dodgers' weekend series against San Diego, Eric Stephen of SBNation.com reports.

Graterol was slowed to begin spring training and has been ramping up at the team's alternate site since. Assuming everything goes well with his throwing session on Thursday, it appears he will be available if needed this weekend.

Hudson (elbow) was transferred to the 60-day injured list Thursday.

Hudson underwent Tommy John surgery in late September of last season and is expected to miss the entire 2021 campaign as a result, so his move to the 60-day IL is simply procedural. His removal from the 40-man roster will make room for outfielder Scott Hurst, whose contract was selected by the Cardinals after Lane Thomas was optioned to the alternate training site.

Castano will start Friday's game against the Giants, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Castano was called up by the Marlins on Sunday, and he'll make his season debut in the series opener at home against San Francisco. The southpaw is unlikely to serve as a regular starter for Miami, but he posted a 3.03 ERA and 1.38 WHIP in 29.2 innings during seven appearances (six starts) in 2020.