MLB Player News

Lopez was optioned to Triple-A Colorado Springs on Sunday.

Lopez logged two scoreless innings for the Brewers on Saturday in his only appearance since his June 12 call-up. Though he struck out four batters, Lopez played with fire a bit, allowing five baserunners via three walks and two base knocks. The Brewers will essentially make a bullpen swap here, returning Lopez to the minors in favor of a fresh, right-handed arm in Adrian Houser, who was recalled in a corresponding move. It's highly unlikely this is the last Lopez has seen of the majors in 2018.

Jackson signed a major-league contract with the Braves on Sunday.

Jackson was outrighted to Triple-A Gwinnett just two days earlier after being designated for assignment June 13, but he'll be back in the Atlanta bullpen in time for the series finale. The right-hander will take the place of long man Luiz Gohara, who has struggled of late and was optioned to Gwinnett in a corresponding move.

Miller (elbow) worked 6.2 scoreless innings in a rehab start Saturday for High-A Visalia, giving up three hits and no walks and striking out 10.

After being tagged for eight runs his last time out June 10 at Double-A Jackson, Miller bounced back in grand fashion Saturday in what might have been his final rehab start. The right-hander tossed 81 pitches in the outing and used his full arsenal, putting him on the cusp of a return from the 60-day disabled list. It's not immediately clear if Miller will reclaim a rotation spot once he returns from the DL, however, as the Diamondbacks have gotten quality performances from back-end starters Matt Koch and Clay Buchholz over the last few weeks and may be reluctant to move either to the bullpen.

Bowman fired 1.2 scoreless innings in which he recorded a strikeout during a loss to the Cubs on Saturday. He's now pitched 2.2 scoreless innings over two days since returning from a disabled list stint due to finger blisters.

The 27-year-old right-hander had looked impressive in his three rehab appearances for Triple-A Memphis, and he's been even sharper over the past two days against the Cubs. Manager Mike Matheny wasted no time throwing Bowman back into action Friday, and he deemed him fit to throw another 16 pitches in Saturday's efficient appearance. Bowman had been struggling prior to his DL stint, but the blisters that ultimately sidelined him likely had a part to play in those difficulties.

Vizcaino gave up a hit and struck out two in a scoreless ninth inning Saturday to pick up his 14th save of the season in a 1-0 win over the Padres.

He's converted seven straight save chances and reeled off nine straight scoreless appearances, leaving Vizcaino with a stellar 1.88 ERA and 31:12 K:BB through 28.2 innings on the year. A.J. Minter and Dan Winkler, who are also enjoying excellent campaigns, will likely continue to be worked into the ninth-inning mix on occasion, but Vizcaino remains the primary closing option among the Braves' three-headed bullpen monster.

Jansen struck out one in a clean ninth inning to record the save Saturday against the Giants.

Jansen was called upon for a second consecutive night and came through to deliver his 17th save of the season. That puts him third in the National League, trailing only Wade Davis and Brad Hand. His early-season struggles are a distant memory, as Jansen has now successfully converted 14 consecutive saves and both his WHIP and ERA are approaching their expected levels.

Neris worked a perfect ninth inning Saturday to record his 10th save of the season in Saturday's 4-1 win over the Brewers.

Seranthony Doninguez pitched the eighth inning in this one as Neris nailed down his first save opportunity since May 21. The 29-year-old got scored upon in five of eight appearances between his last two saves, saddling him with a 4.78 ERA on the year, but it doesn't appear as though Neris is completely out of the Phillies' closer picture just yet.

Strahm will start Sunday against the Braves.

Strahm will stick in the starting rotation for at least one more "bullpen day" start as neither Joey Lucchesi (hip) nor Colin Rea (lat) is ready to return from the disabled list yet. While he likely won't go long enough to factor into the decision, the 26-year-old threw three perfect innings in his previous spot start and has allowed just one run across 7.1 innings in three starts this season.

Johnson was optioned to Triple-A Sacramento on Saturday, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Johnson tossed two scoreless innings during Friday's loss to the Dodgers after being recalled earlier in the day and returns to the River Cats after his one-day stay. First baseman Brandon Belt's (appendicitis) return from the disabled list prompted the move.

Leiter was optioned to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Saturday.

In eight innings for the Phillies this season, Leiter has a mediocre 4.50 ERA, though his underlying numbers (25.7 percent strikeout rate and 5.7 percent walk rate) are solid. Jake Thompson and Yacksiel Rios were called up to take the place of Leiter and Luis Garcia (wrist).