MLB Player News

Koch won't make a spot start Saturday against the Nationals, as the Diamondbacks announced Anthony Banda would instead be recalled from Triple-A Reno to take the hill, Jarrid Denney of MLB.com reports.

Since Taijuan Walker was placed on the paternity list Thursday and isn't due to rejoin the Diamondbacks until Sunday, the Diamondbacks were in need for a spot starter Saturday, with Koch considered one of the leading candidates to fill the void. After being called up from Triple-A in a corresponding move for Walker's placement on the paternity list, Koch went unused out of the bullpen both Thursday and Friday, which would have left him available for Saturday. However, since the right-hander had compiled an 8.47 ERA over 17 innings with Reno, the Diamondbacks evidently weren't comfortable deploying Koch in the rotation on even a temporary basis, so it's likely that he'll head back to the minors Saturday to facilitate Banda's promotion to the big club.

Rodney (4-3) picked up the win Friday against the Nationals after firing a perfect ninth inning. He struck out one.

The veteran closer sat down the side on 12 pitches (eight for strikes), helping him grab the win when Arizona walked off in the bottom half of the frame. Rodney's 5.23 ERA isn't the prettiest thing to look at, but Friday's outing marked his third straight scoreless appearance. With no reinforcements in sight and 22 saves on the season, it doesn't seem like Rodney is on the hot seat at this time.

Hoffman (6-2) surrendered seven runs on nine hits and four walks over three-plus innings while striking out two in Friday's 13-5 loss to the Pirates.

Nothing was working for the 24-year-old in this one, and Hoffman now has a rough 8.44 ERA, 1.88 WHIP and 7:7 K:BB in 16 innings over his last three starts. Even on the road, as he will be in his next outing Wednesday in St. Louis, the right-hander is a very risky fantasy play right now.

Banda will be recalled from Triple-A Reno to start Saturday's game against the Nationals, Sarah McLellan of The Arizona Republic reports.

A previous update suggested Banda would join the club Tuesday as the Diamondbacks shuffle up their rotation in the wake of Taijuan Walker's placement on the paternity list, but the 23-year-old will instead make his MLB debut Saturday in order to keep the rest of the starting staff on normal rest. Banda has struggled in 18 starts for Triple-A Reno this season, posting a 5.08 ERA and 1.43 WHIP, but it's worth noting that the Pacific Coast League is notoriously hitter friendly. Nonetheless, Banda will make for a weak streaming option against a powerful Nationals lineup, and probably won't be in line for a lengthy stay with the Diamondbacks with Walker due back Sunday.

Banda will make his major-league debut Saturday against the Braves.

The 23-year-old will get his first taste of the majors after spending over a year with Triple-A Reno. Throughout the course of the 2017 season, Banda has posted a 5.08 ERA with a 1.43 WHIP in 101 innings of action. His 4.11 FIP isn't spectacular and he's been giving up a home run every nine innings, but Banda has profiled as one of the top pitching prospects for Arizona all season, and will finally get a chance to shine at the big-league level.

Hand didn't allow a run in an inning of work while converting his 15th hold of the season in Thursday's 5-2 win over the Giants.

The dominant lefty danced around three base runners to extend his scoreless streak to 14.1 innings. Hand has been a great source of holds while helping fantasy owners' ratios. The 27-year-old's name has been involved in several trade rumors, but a move away from pitcher-friendly Petco Park likely won't alter his value much, as his elite 4.4 K/BB and 1.44 ERA on the road indicate that could pitch successfully in any venue.

Stewart tossed two scoreless innings Thursday, walking one and striking out one in a loss to the Braves.

Make that 13 scoreless innings for the 25-year-old in the majors this season. All of his appearances have been two or more innings, so he appears to be manager Dave Roberts' long reliever of choice. Stewart, however, isn't striking out enough batters (6.9 K/9) to have relative fantasy value in his current role.

Stephenson will get the start Saturday against the Marlins.

Stephenson was officially tabbed as the starter after tossing six innings with Triple-A Louisville on Monday. The 24-year-old has made 13 appearances with the Reds this year, but Saturday will mark his first start since last season. Since being optioned by the club in late May, Stephenson has posted a 3.92 ERA with a 1.03 WHIP over the course of eight appearances (seven starts) at the Triple-A level. During eight starts with the big-league team in 2016, Stephenson allowed 25 runs in 37 innings of work with a 31:19 K:BB.

Koch could make a spot start Saturday against the Nationals, Jeremy Vernon of MLB.com reports.

The Diamondbacks called Koch up from Triple-A Reno prior to Thursday's game against the Reds, providing the team with another fresh arm after Taijuan Walker, the team's originally scheduled starter for that contest, was placed on the paternity list. Patrick Corbin, who had been in line to take the hill Saturday, was moved up in the schedule to start Thursday and provided the Diamondbacks with 7.1 quality innings while Koch went unused out of the bullpen in the victory. Since the Diamondbacks confirmed Zack Godley would start on normal rest in Friday's series opener and Walker isn't expected to be activated until Sunday, a void in the rotation still exists for Saturday. Thus, if Koch is again unneeded in relief Friday, he'll likely be the leading candidate to start Saturday, though he won't make for an attractive DFS or season-long streaming option in such a scenario. The right-hander has submitted an 8.47 ERA and 1.59 WHIP over 17 innings with Reno this season.

Ellington will be called up by the Marlins prior to Friday's game against the Reds, Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald reports.

Ellington will take the roster spot of the recently departed David Phelps, who was sent over to Seattle on Thursday. During 11 adventurous appearances in the big leagues this season, Ellington allowed 10 earned runs off 19 hits and 13 walks while striking out 18 over the course of 11.2 innings. He figures to slide into a low-leverage role while trying to work back into the form that he showed the past two seasons.