MLB Player News

Rodriguez is a candidate to start Thursday against the Diamondbacks, Kerry Crowley of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

The Giants have yet to announce a starter for Thursday's series opener in Arizona, but Rodriguez seems to be the logical choice after he had his turn with Triple-A Sacramento skipped earlier in the week. The right-hander has struggled during his time in the majors this season, posting a 5.32 ERA, 1.48 WHIP and 42:25 K:BB in 64.1 innings.

Patino made his first start for Double-A Amarillo on Tuesday, pitching 4.1 innings and giving up four runs (one earned) on six hits and four walks while striking out seven.

Though his final line suggests a bit of a struggle, Patino was nonetheless impressive in his first Texas League start, throwing 71 of 102 pitches for strikes and touching 97 mph on his fastball. The four walks were partly a result of a noticeably tight strike zone, while three of runs charged to Patino came across the plate after he departed in the fifth inning. At only 19 years old, Patino has posted a 2.65 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, .198 BAA and 120:38 K:BB in 91.2 minor-league innings this season. He is currently the 11th-ranked pitching prospect in baseball.

Almonte was recalled from Triple-A Albuquerque on Wednesday, Kyle Newman of The Denver Post reports.

Almonte will provide Colorado with bullpen reinforcements for Wednesday's series finale against the Diamondbacks after Tuesday's starter (Jeff Hoffman) lasted just two innings. Hoffman was shipped back to the minors in a corresponding move.

Hoffman was optioned to Triple-A Albuquerque on Wednesday, Kyle Newman of The Denver Post reports.

Hoffman will head back to the minors after getting shelled for seven runs on six hits over just two innings in a spot start against the Diamondbacks on Tuesday. The right-hander has struggled mightily during his time in the majors this season, compiling a 7.81 ERA and 1.66 WHIP across 40.1 innings. Yency Almonte was summoned from the minors in a corresponding move, while the Rockies have yet to announce who will replace Hoffman in the rotation.

Nelson (elbow) threw a scoreless inning of relief in a game with Triple-A San Antonio on Tuesday.

It's been a rough season for Nelson, but he is showing signs of getting back on track, allowing just one hit while posting an 8:2 K:BB in 3.2 innings over his last three appearances with San Antonio. Nelson has not thrown more than 1.2 innings in an outing since his last appearance in the big leagues June 25, so if he does return to Milwaukee before the season ends, it's looking like it will be in a bullpen role.

Hader struck out one but gave up a game-winning home run to Marwin Gonzalez in the eighth inning of Tuesday's 7-5 loss to the Twins.

Drew Pomeranz opened the eighth by putting two ducks on the pond, and he got stuck with the loss when Hader allowed those inherited runners to score. It's still the fifth blown save of the season for the Brewers' closer, and three of them have come in his last four chances. With Hader struggling and Milwaukee fighting for an NL Central crown, Matt Albers could continue to work his way into the ninth-inning mix.

Smith picked up the save against the Athletics on Tuesday, giving up one earned run on three hits in the ninth inning before closing out the Giants' 3-2 victory. He struck out three and walked one.

It wasn't smooth sailing, as Smith gave up three hits and walked in a run while trying to protect a 3-1 lead, but he was able to work out of the jam by striking out Mark Canha to end the game and pick up his 29th save of the season. This wasn't his finest outing, but Smith is still in the midst of a standout campaign as the closer for the Giants (2.55 ERA, 0.98 WHIP, 76:15 K:BB over 53 innings).

Hoffman (1-4) took the loss against the Diamondbacks on Tuesday, giving up seven earned runs on six hits over just two innings, striking out three and walking one as the Rockies lost 9-3.

It was a forgettable outing for the right-hander, as the Diamondbacks jumped all over him for five earned in the first inning and tacked on two more in the second before chasing him from the contest after just 45 pitches. Hoffman has struggled considerably in his time at the big-league level this season, posting a bloated 7.81 ERA and 1.66 WHIP across 40.1 innings.

Neris allowed one walk, hit a batter and struck out one in a scoreless ninth inning to earn the save Tuesday against the Cubs.

Neris made things interesting, hitting the first batter he faced prior to walking Victor Caratini with two outs. Nevertheless, he managed to earn his 21st save of the season, in part due to a generous strike-three call against Tony Kemp. Since a couple rocky performances in the middle of July, Neris has turned things around by stringing together nine consecutive scoreless appearances. For the season, he owns a 3.44 ERA and 1.01 WHIP with 68 strikeouts across 49.2 innings.

Melancon struck out two in a perfect ninth inning Tuesday to record his second save of the season -- and first since joining the Atlanta bullpen -- in a 5-3 win over the Mets.

Luke Jackson worked a clean seventh inning while Shane Greene struggled again in the eighth, so it looks like Melancon will have a bit of a leash as Atlanta's new closer. The veteran right-hander has now held the opposition scoreless in five of six appearances for his new club with a 7:1 K:BB in 4.2 innings.