MLB Player News

Lamet (4-4) beat the Giants with 6.2 innings of two-run ball Sunday. He allowed eight hits while walking one and striking out six.

Lamet struggled in his last outing at the league's most hitter-friendly venue, but took advantage of AT&T Park's 29th-ranked .80 park factor with his fourth quality start in 10 tries. The 25-year-old rookie sports an ugly 3.48 BB/9 to go with a sparkling 11.85 K/9 in 51.2 innings, so it was encouraging to see him issue only one free pass in this one after walking four in consecutive starts coming in. He'll look to build on this effort in Friday's home date with the Pirates.

Blach (6-6) allowed five runs on eight hits with one walk and seven strikeouts over seven innings in Sunday's loss to the Padres.

Expectations were high with Blach facing the league's worst offense coming off three consecutive quality starts, but the 26-year-old lefty failed to deliver. While he did set a new career-high in strikeouts, Blach allowed at least five earned runs in a game for the fourth time this season. To his credit, Blach at least gave his team a fighter's chance by holding San Diego off the board for three frames after a four-run fourth inning. He'll have his work cut out for him in his next start Saturday at Dodger Stadium.

Montero (1-7) allowed three runs on seven hits and a walk while striking out four batters through seven innings during Sunday's loss to Oakland.

Montero has been bouncing between the bullpen and rotation all season, which caps his fantasy value. Additionally, his 5.19 ERA and 1.73 WHIP aren't encouraging marks, and Montero is best ignored outside of cavernous settings. If he sticks in the rotation for another start, a date with the Mariners at Safeco Field projects to be up next.

Iglesias pitched two scoreless innings against the Marlins on Sunday to pick up his 17th save of the season. He allowed one hit and struck out one.

Though Iglesias was pitch-efficient in the outing, needing 27 pitches to get through his two innings, chances are he won't be available Monday. He got pressed into service in the eighth inning after Michael Lorenzen had a tough seventh.

Manager Dave Roberts said prior to Sunday's game against the Nationals that Stewart is feeling under the weather due to an upper-respiratory condition, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

It seems that Stewart's illness is being passed around the Dodgers' clubhouse, as Kenley Jansen was sick last week, Justin Turner was forced to sit out Saturday while battling bronchitis, and Rich Hill is still getting over a respiratory issue of his own. In Stewart's case, the Dodgers don't believe it's anything significant and he could be available out of the bullpen Sunday, though Roberts might prefer to avoid using the right-hander if possible.

Melancon (elbow) completed a bullpen session Sunday, Andrew Baggarly of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

The Giants' closer has been throwing bullpen sessions every other day since the All-Star break, but manager Bruce Bochy was especially encouraged by this most recent outing. The skipper hopes that Melancon can return to action in a couple weeks, although he did admit that Melancon will be brought along slowly due to the poor record the Giants have put up to this point.

Banda was optioned to Triple-a Reno on Sunday, MLB.com reports.

Banda acquitted himself well in his major-league debut Saturday against the Nationals, covering 5.2 innings and serving up four runs on seven hits and no walks while striking out five batters in a losing effort. The Diamondbacks brought Banda up from the minors to make the spot start because Taijuan Walker (personal) was on the paternity list, but the lefty's demotion signals that Walker is in line to be activated prior to Sunday's game. Walker is now scheduled to make his next start Tuesday against the Braves, leaving no room for Banda in the rotation.

Stephenson (0-3) allowed five runs on eight hits and two walks while striking out five batters through 5.1 innings during Saturday's loss to Miami.

Stephenson had pitched out of the bullpen in each of his first 13 appearances for the Reds this season, but was demoted May 30 and stretched out to start. With an 8.10 ERA and 1.97 WHIP for the year (mostly in relief), Stephenson's currently off the fantasy radar. While he still owns some long-term upside, there's no guarantee Stephenson even sticks in the rotation for another start.

Mayers has been permanently moved to a relief role due to the Cardinals' belief that it provides him the best path to the majors, Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com reports.

The 25-year-old right-hander made 15 starts for Triple-A Memphis this season and 86 overall in his minor-league career, but the move to the bullpen has agreed with him thus far. Mayers has fired five scoreless innings in relief, allowing just two hits and notching six strikeouts. He also made two appearances for the Cardinals this season, allowing three runs (two earned) on four hits and three walks over four innings.

Barraclough would likely get the first chance to close games if the Marlins trade A.J. Ramos before the deadline, Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald reports.

"Claw would be easy to put there for me," manager Don Mattingly said of giving Barraclough the ball in the ninth inning. "Out of our guys who've had success, I think Claw's that guy." Ramos is being shopped pretty hard, so this is a very real scenario. Mattingly also mentioned Brad Ziegler as a potential option for saves is Ramos is dealt, but Ziegler is currently on the DL with a lower-back strain. Barraclough has a 3.38 ERA, 1.53 WHIP and 49 strikeouts in 44.1 innings this season, and while he could be a bit of a ratio risk over the season's final months, the strikeouts and potential saves make him a worthwhile stash for owners looking for saves on the waiver wire.