MLB Player News

Miller (elbow) is scheduled to throw two innings in an extended spring training game Friday, Jack Magruder of The Sports Xchange reports.

Miller has been throwing bullpen sessions and facing hitters in live batting practice for the better part of two weeks, and it appears the Diamondbacks are now ready to see how he fares in a game setting. It's expected that Miller will require multiple outings at extended spring training. He'll then gear up for what will likely be an elongated minor-league rehab assignment as he looks to build up his arm following a year-plus layoff from Tommy John surgery. The Diamondbacks don't have a specific timetable for when Miller will be activated from the 60-day disabled list, but the right-hander currently seems to be trending toward a return shortly before the All-Star break.

Boxberger allowed one hit and one walk while striking out three Sunday as he picked up the save against Houston.

Boxberger allowed two baserunners in the ninth inning, but he was able to work out of it to preserve a 3-1 win over the Astros. He's a perfect 11-for-11 in save opportunities following Sunday's game and has been rock solid out of the closer's role in 2018, sporting a 1.80 ERA with 20 strikeouts across 15 innings.

Koch (2-0) allowed one run on six hits while striking out three across 6.1 innings as he picked up the win Sunday against the Astros.

Koch continued his success on the hill Sunday, receiving just enough run support to come away with the win. He's yet to allow more than two earned runs in a start this season, and he currently sports a 2.13 ERA and 0.99 WHIP. Koch will look to put together another solid performance Saturday against the Nationals in what figures to be his next start.

Hand struck out the side in a perfect ninth inning to earn his ninth save of the season Sunday against the Dodgers.

Just a matter of hours after striking out the side to close out Saturday's win, Hand repeated the feat in this one. He allowed three runs while blowing a save Monday, but he's bounced back with three consecutive conversions in which he's struck out six while allowing just one baserunner. Hand has been supber with a 2.70 ERA, a 1.08 WHIP and 14.6 K/9 this season.

Ottavino got the save against the Mets on Sunday, working around a hit and a walk and getting three strikeouts to lock down Colorado's 3-2 victory.

Filling in for Wade Davis, Ottavino bagged his first save of the year by throwing a clean ninth inning despite allowing a couple of baserunners. Davis is leading the National League in saves with 13, so the job is his in Colorado, but Ottavino has been absolutely lights-out this year with a 0.47 ERA, a 0.58 WHIP and 35 strikeouts in just 19 innings. If he continues to post numbers like that, he would carry fantasy value as a source of strikeouts and a ratio stabilizer even as the secondary option for ninth-inning duties.

Grace (groin) tossed a bullpen session Sunday, Byron Kerr of MASN Sports reports.

The Nationals will likely check back in with Grace and see how feels a day after resuming mound work, but if he reports no issues with his left groin, he'll likely be cleared to begin a brief rehab assignment early this week. Grace could be activated from the 10-day disabled list at some point during the Nationals' upcoming road series in San Diego or Arizona.

Rainey was optioned to Triple-A Louisville on Sunday.

Rainey's stint with Cincinnati lasted only three days after he was summoned from Louisville to provide an extra arm out of the bullpen while Amir Garrett was on the bereavement list. The hard-throwing right-hander should recapture a late-inning role at Louisville, where he had struck out 17 batters in 9.2 scoreless frames prior to his promotion.

Stewart was recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City on Sunday.

Stewart's promotion this time around comes under unfortunate circumstances, as he'll join the roster as the corresponding move to the placement of ace Clayton Kershaw (biceps) on the DL. Stewart owns a 2.41 ERA through four starts in the Pacific Coast League, and should be able to provide the team with a long-relief option as it sorts out the long-term rotation plan, which depends heavily on the status of Kershaw.

Gott (ankle) is available out of the bullpen Sunday, Chelsea Janes of The Washington Post reports.

Gott suffered a sprained ankle Friday, but the team is confident the right-hander will not require any time on the DL. He'll be available if needed Sunday, but don't count on an appearance with one of the league's best starters in Max Scherzer scheduled to take the mound.

Mayers was recalled from Triple-A Memphis on Sunday.

Mayers has been back and forth all season, but a recent biceps injury to reliever Dominic Leone opened up a spot in the bullpen once again for the right-hander. He's been strong so far this year at any level, with four scoreless appearances in the minors and a 1.35 ERA with the Cardinals in the big leagues.