MLB Player News

Hand worked around a solo home run to convert his 15th save of the season in Sunday's win over the Dodgers.

The Padres' closer has been in a bit of a funk recently, serving up six homers over his last 10 contests after not allowing one in his previous 23 appearances. Even though he has struggled limiting the long ball, Hand's 15 saves and 2.44 ERA keep him in the conversation as a top-10 closer.

Neris allowed a hit and a walk but struck out two in a scoreless ninth inning Sunday to notch his 19th save of the season in a 3-1 win over the Marlins.

He made things interesting, starting the ninth by walking Giancarlo Stanton and then watching Christian Yelich get an infield single, but Neris buckled down after that to lock up the victory. He's now a perfect 11-for-11 on save chances in the second half and hasn't blown one since June 21, but a lack of opportunities has put a cap on his fantasy value despite his success in the closer role.

Suter pitched three scoreless innings with two strikeouts during Sunday's win over Washington. He didn't factor into the decision.

This was just a spot start for Suter, and it was actually his first appearance since Aug. 12, as he had been on the disabled list with a left rotator cuff strain. The 28-year-old southpaw projects to pitch out of the bullpen moving forward, so his fantasy value is limited.

Peralta left Saturday's game in the eighth inning with what appeared to be a right hip injury, The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Peralta will likely be unavailable Sunday and will undergo further evaluation when the team returns to Cincinnati on Monday. It was clear something wasn't quite right Saturday when Peralta allowed four earned runs and only recorded one out, and it now seems as if the problem might have been something physical. There hadn't been much fantasy appeal here to start with, though Peralta has collected a career-best 13 holds this season. Consider the reliever day-to-day.

Stewart allowed one run on two hits and four walks while striking out five batters through four innings during Saturday's loss to San Diego. He didn't factor into the decision.

This was Stewart's fourth start this season with the Dodgers, so it was a little surprising to see him pulled after just 72 pitches. It's not a significant fantasy development, though. A healthy Los Angeles rotation doesn't include Stewart, and he hasn't shown enough in the majors to be viewed as anything other than a spot-start flier. It wouldn't be shocking if he moved to the bullpen following Saturday's start, either.

Hand (3-4) allowed two runs in the top of the ninth inning to blow his fifth save of the season, but he was still the pitcher of record when the Padres scored the winning run in the bottom of the frame against the Dodgers on Saturday.

Hand has had a few poor showings this season, but he's still converted 12 of his past 14 save opportunities and owns a 2.35 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 11.9 K/9 for the year. Those numbers move the fantasy needle in all settings, and he's locked into the closer role for the Padres. Hand remains a must-own asset.

Sims (2-5) allowed seven runs on six hits and four walks while striking out four batters through just three innings during Saturday's loss to the Cubs.

This was Sims worst outing in the majors, and he now sports a 5.73 ERA, 1.51 WHIP and 6.2 K/9 through seven starts. Those numbers aren't moving the fantasy needle in many settings, and it's probably wise to fade the rookie outside of favorable matchups. Sims projects to make his next start against Miami at SunTrust Park.

Suter has been confirmed as Sunday's starter against the Nationals.

He will square off against Edwin Jackson in the series finale. This is likely just a spot start for Suter, who will head to the bullpen and serve as a long man until the Brewers have need of a sixth starter again. Suter has a 3.79 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 49 strikeouts in 59.1 innings in the majors this season.

Jankowski was designated for assignment by the Dodgers on Saturday.

The club chose to cast Jankowski off the 40-man roster due to the promotion of right-hander Wilmer Font from Triple-A Oklahoma City. Jankowski was recently DFA'd by the Astros in mid-August, and has spent the last couple weeks with Oklahoma City, tossing three scoreless innings for the club. If he passes through waivers unclaimed, he will remain in Oklahoma City.

Stewart was called up for his start against the Padres during Game 1 of Saturday's doubleheader.

Stewart will make his fourth spot start of the season for Los Angeles, his latest coming against the Pirates on Aug. 22. During that game, the right-hander allowed five earned runs in just two innings. Over the course of the season, he's made 10 major-league appearances, posting a 3.38 ERA and 1.29 WHIP and a 17:11 K:BB.