MLB Player News

Pivetta's hot start can be traced to a number of improvements in his curveball, The Athletic Philadelphia reports.

The curve has improved in just about every way possible. It's now dropping by 10 inches after dropping just 5.7 inches last year. Its horizontal movement is up from 3.3 inches to 6.3 inches. Pivetta's now throwing it at 80 mph after it averaged 77 mph in the first half of 2017. The changes stem from a change in grip after he decided to copy the spiked grip used by teammate Aaron Nola. Pivetta has also quieted his hands during his windup, which has helped not just the curve but also his overall command, and he's now walking just 3.6 percent of the batters he faces. Pivetta's 2.57 ERA seems at first glance easy to dismiss as a small-sample fluke after his 6.02 ERA last year, but changes in the curve seem to be driving a legitimately improved performance from the young righty, and his 2.28 FIP backs up the idea that he's deserved his excellent results.

Erceg is day-to-day after being struck by a pitch on the helmet in a game with Double-A Biloxi on Monday, according to MiLB.com.

According to the report Erceg "seemed alert and spoke with Shuckers athletic trainer Kevin Creighton before getting to his feet," which provides optimism regarding his status moving forward. Erceg is hitting .319/.385/.435 through 18 games with Biloxi this season.

Fields gave up a hit but worked a scoreless ninth for his first save Monday against the Marlins.

Kenley Jansen worked both games this weekend, leaving him unavailable for Monday's series opener. Fields has been excellent this season, with just one run allowed, and he has now worked six straight scoreless innings to lower his ERA to 0.82. Expect him to be first in line for save opportunities whenever Jansen needs rest.

Garcia allowed one run on four hits and a walk with seven strikeouts through six innings but was stuck with a no-decision Monday against the Dodgers.

Garcia remains white-hot, a lone bright spot on what has been an unfortunate Marlins club in 2018. He has now thrown at least five innings and allowed one run or fewer in each of his past four starts. Garcia's slider in particular was nasty Monday, as he drew six whiffs with it on just 23 offerings. Garcia owns a nasty 1.00 ERA and will look to keep his brilliant season going Sunday in Miami against the Rockies.

Hernandez (mouth) will begin a rehab assignment at High-A Jupiter on Tuesday, Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald reports.

Once he's healthy, Hernandez will join the big club and look to get his first chance to pitch in the majors. Hernandez, a Rule 5 pick that was formerly a member of the Astros, spent most of the 2017 season at High-A Buies Creek. Over 15 games (63.1 innings) with Buies Creek he posted a 3.98 ERA and 1.20 WHIP.

Melancon (elbow) will begin a throwing program Thursday, John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Melancon seems to be on track with his recovery, as he is returning to baseball activities two weeks after having a stem cell injection in his pronator on April 12. Tests revealed no ligament damage in Melancon's right elbow, but the team can't put an approximate timetable on his return until he begins throwing. More news will come as the 33-year-old progresses through his program. Hunter Strickland appears to be locked in as the closer for the time being.

Lamb agreed to a minor-league contract with Colorado, Baseball America reports.

The southpaw has never seen MLB action, and he struggled to a 7.46 ERA in 35.0 innings pitched at Triple-A last season. Lamb's a former third-rounder, but unless he shows massive improvement of his control, it's unlikely he will see the majors anytime soon.

Smith (elbow) is scheduled to pitch Wednesday and Thursday, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Since starting his rehab assignment at High-A San Jose in mid-April, Smith has reached Triple-A Sacramento where he's thrown three perfect innings over three games. In that time he's struck out six batters. The Giants current plan is for Smith to pitch Wednesday and Thursday before getting some rest and facing a couple more batters Sunday. Barring any setbacks, it's expected that Smith will come off the DL shortly after.

Rusin was placed on the 10-day disabled list Monday with a right intercostal strain.

Rusin apparently picked up the injury during his relief appearance against the Cubs on Sunday, when he struck out four and walked one batter across 1.2 scoreless innings of work. It's unclear how long the issue will keep him sidelined at this point, but he'll be eligible to return as early as May 3 should he prove ready. Harrison Musgrave was recalled from Triple-A Albuquerque in a corresponding move and will likely take Rusin's place in the Rockies' bullpen as a long reliever for the time being.

Estevez (elbow strain) was transferred to the 60-day disabled list Monday.

His diagnosis has gone from bad to worse, as he was initially listed as being out with an oblique injury, but further tests have apparently revealed an elbow strain. He'll be unavailable to return until late May now. Harrison Musgrave will take his place on the 40-man roster for the time being.