MLB Player News

Ponce de Leon didn't factor into the decision in Friday's 4-2 loss to the Diamondbacks, allowing one run on three hits over 6.2 innings while striking out seven.

A solo shot by Christian Walker was the only blemish on the right-hander's line, but Ponce de Leon hit the showers after 105 pitches (69 strikes) with the score tied 1-1. He now boasts a 1.99 ERA and 38:11 K:BB through 31.2 big-league innings this season, but he'll likely return to a relief role with Adam Wainwright (back) not expected to miss much time.

Hernandez allowed two runs on three hits and struck out one over two-thirds of an inning in Friday's 3-2 loss to the Rockies.

It's the third blown save of the season for the reliever, who now sports a 6.28 ERA and 1.45 WHIP on the year. Hernandez has allowed 11 runs over his last six outings, with all of the damage Friday coming on solo shots from David Dahl and Daniel Murphy.

Kimbrel set the Pirates down in order during the ninth inning to record his third save in a 4-3 victory Friday afternoon.

He didn't register a strikeout, but Kimbrel induced a flyout and two groundouts to nail down the one-run win. Since yielding five runs over two outings against the Pirates last week, Kimbrel hasn't allowed a hit and walked one batter with three strikeouts in his last two appearances, both of which were saves. It's still a very small sample size, but Kimbrel is 3-for-4 in save chances with a 9.64 ERA, 1.71 WHIP and six strikeouts in 4.2 innings this season.

Munoz's contract was selected from Triple-A El Paso prior to Friday's game against the Braves, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

Munoz, a 20-year-old righty, is the best relief-pitching prospect in the game, thanks largely to his monster fastball that can touch 104 mph. He had 58 strikeouts and 18 walks in 35.2 innings split between Double-A and Triple-A. While Munoz has the upside to someday be the top closer in baseball, he will likely work in a setup role as long as Kirby Yates is still on the Padres roster.

Boxberger agreed to a minor-league contract with the Nationals on Friday, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

Boxberger saved 32 games for the Diamondbacks just last season, but his 2019 campaign has gone very poorly. He struggled to a 5.40 ERA in 26.2 innings with the Royals before being released in early July. The veteran will head to Double-A Harrisburg, the Nationals' geographically closest high-minors affiliate, in hopes of proving himself worthy of a return to the big leagues.

Hernandez will move to the bullpen for at least the near future, Andre Fernandez of The Athletic reports.

Hernandez owns a 4.25 ERA in 29.2 innings this season, starting five times and appearing twice out of the bullpen. His 27.0 percent strikeout rate and 6.4 percent walk rate are each strong, but his 1.82 HR/9 represents a significant weakness. The 24-year-old is set for a fairly high-leverage role, Fernandez reports. He'll have an outside chance to enter the ninth-inning conversation if Sergio Romo struggles or gets traded at the deadline, though Hernandez doesn't appear to be a favorite to close at this point.

Maurer (knee) has not pitched at any level since June 21.

The 29-year-old right-hander started up a rehab assignment with short-season West Virginia on June 18. He made two appearances but has not pitched since according to his MiLB.com game log, suggesting there was a setback in his recovery from knee surgery.

Ponce de Leon will make a spot start in place of Adam Wainwright (back) on Friday against Arizona, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Wainwright was scratched with back spasms, though he's yet to be placed on the injured list, so Ponce de Leon may be in line for just a single start. He owns an excellent 2.16 ERA and 0.92 WHIP in 25 innings for the Cardinals this season, starting three games and appearing in another three out of the bullpen.

Peralta (hip) was activated off the 10-day injured list Friday.

Peralta had been sidelined since mid-June with a strained right hip flexor. He recorded an unremarkable 5.96 ERA in 22.2 innings prior to suffering the injury. Josh VanMeter was optioned to Triple-A Louisville over the All-Star break in a corresponding move.

Rodriguez is a candidate to make a spot start in the second game of the Giants' doubleheader with the Rockies in Colorado on Monday, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

Rodriguez had been working in a long-relief role for the Giants for just over a month before being optioned to Triple-A Sacramento on July 1. After making one appearance in the Pacific Coast League, Rodriguez dropped down to High-A Rancho Cucamonga this week while the Triple-A affiliate was on break. He tossed 4.2 innings for Rancho Cucamonga on Wednesday and gave up two runs on four hits and a walk while striking out nine. The outing sets Rodriguez up to be available on his normal four days' rest should the Giants turn to him for the spot start in Colorado.