MLB Player News

Barraclough gave up a hit and recorded two outs via strikeout to blow his second save of the season in Friday's extra-inning loss to the Pirates.

He entered the game with two runners on and one out in the eighth inning to protect a 2-1 lead, and Barraclough promptly gave up a two-run single to Starling Marte. Barraclough has excelled at throwing other Nats relievers under the bus so far this season -- his 1.50 ERA and 7:3 K:BB through six innings look superficially solid, but he's allowed all seven of the inherited runners he's been given to score, exacerbating the team's bullpen woes. Until manager Dave Martinez has better options available, though, expect Barraclough to continue being used in fairly high-leverage situations.

Manager Dave Roberts named Ferguson as the Dodgers' starter for Saturday's game against the Brewers, the Associated Press reports.

After the Dodgers took an 8-5 loss in Friday's series opener Roberts tabbed Ferguson as the replacement for the injured Hyun-Jin Ryu (groin). Since Ferguson hasn't been asked to record more than four outs in any of his seven appearances this season and pitched just three days earlier, he's not expected to work long Saturday in what amounts to a bullpen game. Clayton Kershaw (shoulder) is poised to return from the injured list to start Monday against the Reds, so he'll effectively fill Ryu's next turn while Ferguson heads back to the bullpen.

Pomeranz gave up two runs on four hits, walking one and striking out five over five innings in Friday's 3-2 win over the Rockies.

Pomeranz went five innings in a contest that lasted 18 frames, resulting in his second no-decision of the season. The 30-year-old southpaw owns a 3.86 ERA and solid 3.2 K/BB ratio through three starts, but his 1.50 WHIP is a large contributor to a 4.77 FIP. Pomeranz remains a deep-league option for now, but his past success and favorable home park could result in mixed-league value at some point this season. His next start comes on the road against the Nationals on Thursday.

Reyes (1-0) worked two-thirds of an inning, striking out one, to pick up the win in Friday's 2-1 victory over the Diamondbacks.

The 25-year-old's big-league debut couldn't have gone much better. Reyes stepped in for Chris Paddack in a 1-1 tie to finish the sixth inning, and then became the pitcher of record when Fernando Tatis Jr. doubled home the winning run in the top of the seventh. Reyes' fastball was humming at 96-98 mph as he fanned Adam Jones, and while he won't work in particularly high-leverage spots at the outset of his career, he could quickly move into a setup role in front of Kirby Yates if he keeps generating whiffs.

Yates struck out two in a perfect ninth inning Friday to record his eighth save of the season in a 2-1 win over the Diamondbacks.

The 32-year-old has put together a brilliant start to the season, converting all eight of his save chances with a 1.00 ERA and 14:3 K:BB through nine innings. Yates' numbers in 2018 suggested he was ready to emerge as an elite closing option for the Padres, and so far he's done nothing to dispel that notion.

Avila has been optioned back to Double-A Amarillo after making his big-league debut Thursday, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

Avila had a solid debut for the Padres, but he'll be sent back to Double-A, as he was called up for a spot start to give Chris Paddack an extra day to rest. Since he fared well in that start, holding the Diamondbacks to one earned run over 5.1 innings, the 22-year-old could get called up again down the line if the Padres want to continue to manage Paddack's workload.

Reyes was recalled from Triple-A El Paso on Friday.

Reyes will join the Padres after allowing one run and striking out six over three innings with the Chihuahuas. He figures to slot in near the back end of the bullpen for San Diego. In a corresponding move, Pedro Avila was optioned to Double-A Amarillo.

Floro hasn't given up a run in any of his eight appearances so far this season, yielding seven hits with five strikeouts and no walks over 8.1 innings.

The Dodgers' bullpen has had its fair share of struggles, but Floro has stood out as an exception, as he's posted a 0.84 WHIP over his eight games. His strong pitching extends back to last season following his acquisition via trade from the Reds, as Floro has a 1.25 ERA over 36 innings as a Dodger. With Joe Kelly struggling so far in the role as the setup man for closer Kenley Jansen, Floro is making a strong case for a look in that role.

Arano was called up from Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Friday.

Arano was sent to the minors to begin the season after allowing 20 runs in four spring innings. He had a quite strong 2.73 ERA in 59.1 major-league innings last season, however, and threw four scoreless innings with a 7:1 K:BB for Lehigh Valley to start this campaign, so the Phillies will hope that his spring struggles were nothing more than a random, brief blip. Edubray Ramos was optioned in a corresponding move.

Stephenson pitched a scoreless inning in relief of the injured Sonny Gray on Thursday and got the win.

Pitching in relief has suited Stephenson well so far in this young season. He has allowed one run over 6.1 innings, striking out eight batters while giving up three hits and a walk. The competition level picks up for Reds pitchers soon, with them embarking on a West Coast road swing.