MLB Player News

Arano threw 1.2 scoreless innings in Monday's extra-innings loss to the Diamondbacks, striking out one and allowing three hits.

Arano got into a bit of trouble in the 10th inning, allowing a pair of one-out singles to Paul Goldschmidt and David Peralta, but he got out of the jam and went on to keep the game scoreless through the bottom of the 11th. Arano's season ERA now sits at 2.09 through 43 innings. Seranthony Dominguez remains the Phillies' primary closing option, but he's now given up runs in his last two appearances. Arano is one of a small handful of relievers who could be poised to take over a higher-leverage role and earn the occasional save should Dominguez continue to falter.

Smith blew the save and took the loss Monday, allowing a three-run home run in the ninth inning against Houston.

With the Giants clinging to a 1-0 lead, Smith entered the game and issued two walks before Marwin Gonzalez muscled one out to left-center field. It will probably end up being nothing more than a blip in an otherwise stellar season for Smith. He still has the second-best FIP among relievers (1.50) and he had taken to the ninth-inning role brilliantly before Monday's slip-up.

Dominguez blew the save Monday, allowing two runs on three hits -- including a home run -- while recording one out in the ninth inning against the Diamondbacks.

The 23-year-old squandered a gem from Jake Arrieta, allowing three straight hits (two for extra bases) after getting the leadoff man out. It was his second consecutive appearance with a blown save -- the other coming in the seventh inning Sunday. Dominguez went 12-for-13 in save situations to begin his career and it seems likely that he will continue to serve as the primary ninth-inning option, but Tommy Hunter and Victor Arano loom as threats to his role.

The Nationals optioned Cordero to Triple-A Syracuse on Tuesday, Mark Zuckerman of MASN Sports reports.

Cordero will return to the minors to clear a spot in the Washington bullpen for Greg Holland, who officially inked a contract with the team Tuesday. During his first big-league callup, Cordero made two appearances, giving up two earned runs on two hits and four walks over 2.1 innings.

Gsellman picked up his 11th hold of the season in Monday's win over the Reds, allowing one hit in 1.1 scoreless innings while striking out two.

The outing wasn't as effective as the box score would indicate, as Gsellman entered a 6-2 game with two outs and the bases loaded in the seventh inning and promptly gave up a two-run single to Eugenio Suarez before striking out Mason Williams to end the rally. It's clear at this point Mets manager Mickey Callaway prefers Gsellman in a highest-leverage role rather than exclusively as a ninth-inning man, so even though there aren't any other obvious closing options in the team's bullpen right now, don't expect the right-hander to suddenly begin racking up a lot of saves.

Rodriguez fired seven scoreless innings Monday, giving up just three hits and striking out seven without recording a decision in a 3-1 loss to Houston.

Rodriguez was flat-out dominant Monday, posting his longest scoreless outing of the season. It is worth noting that the Astros were without several of their top bats, but that shouldn't take too much away from the rookie's strong performance. The 26-year-old has been a revelation for the Giants, posting a 2.34 ERA and 1.05 WHIP through 11 starts. Rodriguez will look to keep it going in a home start against the Pirates on Sunday.

Strop struck out two in a one-two-three inning to earn his eighth save of the season Monday against the Royals.

Strop threw nine of 10 pitches for strikes as he mowed down the side in order, including six straight strikes to retire the final two hitters via the punchout. He has recorded saves in five straight outings, allowing four baserunners while fanning five during that span. Brandon Morrow (biceps) is still a ways off from returning to the fold, so Strop should continue racking up saves in the immediate future.

Blach could re-enter the rotation and start Thursday's game against the Astros, Kerry Crowley of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

When Johnny Cueto (elbow) was placed on the disabled list last week and ultimately required season-ending Tommy John surgery, Chris Stratton was summoned from Triple-A Sacramento to fill the void in the rotation. After Stratton was tagged for six runs on 10 hits and four walks over three innings in his start Aug. 3 against the Diamondbacks, the Giants quickly pulled the plug and optioned him back to Triple-A. So long as he isn't needed out of the bullpen in the club's next two games, Blach makes for the top candidate to replace Stratton. The soft-tossing lefty opened the season in the rotation, but has moved to the bullpen after going 3-5 with a 4.90 ERA and 1.60 WHIP in his 12 starts.

Rusin (heel) covered 1.1 innings in relief Sunday for Triple-A Albuquerque in his second rehab appearance with the affiliate. He gave up two earned runs on three hits and walk and struck out one.

While Rusin wasn't particularly sharp Sunday, he didn't report any setbacks during the outing and should soon be ready to return to the big club. The Rockies may want to see Rusin pitch on back-to-back days in the minors before activating him from the 10-day disabled list.

Garcia (forearm) made a rehab appearance Saturday for the Dodgers' rookie-level Arizona League affiliate, giving up an unearned run on one hit and striking out a batter in his lone inning on the mound.

Garcia faced four batters in his first game action since July 3. The Dodgers diagnosed Garcia with right forearm inflammation after that outing and the 27-year-old has spent the better part of a month rehabbing the injury. He'll likely need to make at least a couple of appearances with one of the Dodgers' higher-level minor-league affiliates before being added back to the big club's bullpen.