MLB Player News

Robertson (elbow) remains without a timetable for his return, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports. "He's progressing," manager Gabe Kapler said. "He's just still not progressing as fast as we all had hoped he would."

Robertson has been sidelined since mid-April with a flexor strain, and a return for the veteran right-hander does not appear imminent. Hector Neris should continue to see the majority of save opportunities for Philadelphia with Robertson sidelined.

Hoffman was optioned to Triple-A Albuquerque on Saturday.

The Rockies don't need a fifth starter until August 10, so Hoffman will head back to the minors for the time being. The 26-year-old righty owns a 6.57 ERA, 1.57 WHIP and 40:17 K:BB in eight starts (38.1 innings) with the big-league club this season, so he isn't a lock to reclaim his role as the team's fifth starter. Chi Chi Gonzalez, who is scheduled to start Saturday against the Reds, was summoned from the minors in a corresponding move.

Blach was designated for assignment Saturday, Andrew Baggarly of The Athletic reports.

Blach has bounced between the big-league club and Triple-A Sacramento this season but now finds himself removed from the 40-man roster. In 6.1 major-league innings in 2019, the 28-year-old gave up 10 earned runs off 14 hits while only managing a 3:4 K:BB. Right-hander Logan Webb was reinstated from the inactive list in a corresponding move.

Barraclough was optioned to Double-A Harrisburg on Saturday.

Barraclough entered Friday's game to face Justin Turner with two outs in the eighth inning with the score tied. After falling behind in the count, the 29-year old surrendered a three-run homer before getting Cody Bellinger to pop out. The righty reliever only faced two batters in his lone appearance since returning from a forearm injury that landed him on the injured list in June. He now owns a career-worst 6.66 ERA and 1.75 WHIP in his first year in Washington. Adrian Sanchez was called up in a corresponding move.

Grace will serve as the Nationals' first-ever opener Saturday against the Dodgers, Jamal Collier of MLB.com reports.

Grace is making his first start since 2017 but does not figure to go more than two innings, which is the most he's gone all season. In 39 innings out of the bullpen in 2019, Grace is 0-2 with a 6.23 ERA and a 27:8 K:BB. Joe Ross will serve as the primary pitcher once Grace is removed from the game.

Quijada (1-3) walked one and struck out one in a scoreless ninth inning Friday to record his first win during a victory over the Diamondbacks.

The rookie was the beneficiary when the Marlins walked it off in the bottom of the ninth with two runs on sacrifice flies. Quijada now has a 3.77 ERA through his first 14.1 big-league innings, but his other numbers (1.74 WHIP, 17:12 K:BB) are not enticing for fantasy GMs.

Hader allowed one hit and struck out two in a scoreless ninth inning Friday to record his 23rd save of the season in a 3-2 win over the Cubs.

The left-hander is locked in at the moment, posting a 0.00 ERA and 13:0 K:BB over his last five appearances and 5.2 innings, picking up three saves and two holds along the way. Hader's numbers on the season have been even better than his breakout 2018, and he remains arguably the most valuable relief pitcher in the game.

Melancon (4-2) picked up the win Friday with two strikeouts in a perfect 10th inning versus the Padres in a 2-1 win.

Melancon became the pitcher of record when Pablo Sandoval smacked a solo shot in the 11th inning to put the Giants ahead, and closer Will Smith secured the victory. Melancon has now pitched 7.2 consecutive scoreless innings over his last six outings, lowering his ERA from 4.15 to 3.57 in that span.

Smith allowed one hit in a scoreless inning of relief Friday, closing out a 2-1 extra-innings win over the Padres for his 25th save of the season.

The Giants claimed the lead with a Pablo Sandoval solo shot in the 11th inning, and Smith made that stand up as the game-winning hit. Smith has excellent ratios -- 2.38 ERA, 0.88 WHIP and 65:11 K:BB across 45.1 innings this season. With the Giants continuing to pile up wins recently, it's becoming more likely they'll hold onto their All-Star closer at the trade deadline.

Jansen notched the save after allowing one run on one hit and two walks while striking out one in the ninth inning Friday night against the Nationals.

Jansen entered the ballgame in the ninth with a three-run lead, and he would walk in a run before retiring the final batter of the night via strikeout. Things haven't always been easy for the 31-year-old closer this season, though he has converted 25 of 29 save opportunities. Jansen owns a 3.67 ERA and 1.06 WHIP with a 57:11 K:BB over 41.2 frames this season.