MLB Player News

Nelson (2-3) allowed four runs on eight hits and a walk while striking out three over five innings in Tuesday's 4-3 loss to the Blue Jays.

The big blow was a two-run homer by Kendrys Morales in the fifth inning, as Nelson gave up at least four runs for the fourth time in his last seven outings. He'll look to rebound Sunday in a tough home matchup against the Diamondbacks.

Manager Andy Green confirmed Lamet will start Thursday's series finale against the Mets.

With Jered Weaver (hip) landing on the disabled list over the weekend, the Padres will turn to Lamet to fill his spot in the rotation. He's been solid in eight starts for Triple-A El Paso this season, posting a 3.23 ERA and 50:20 K:BB over 39 innings. This will mark the 24-year-old's major-league debut.

Robles was optioned to Triple-A Las Vegas on Tuesday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

After struggling immensely over his last three appearances, Robles has been demoted to Las Vegas. The 26-year-old saw his ERA jump from 1.42 to 6.23 after allowing 12 runs over the last three games (2.2 innings), so he'll look to work things out with the 51's before returning to the big club. Josh Smoker was recalled from Triple-A to take his place on the roster and in the bullpen.

Hoffman was optioned to Triple-A Albuquerque on Tuesday.

Hoffman will head back to Albuquerque to clear room on the roster for Trevor Story (shoulder), who was activated from the disabled list Tuesday. Hoffman pitched very well in his spot start Monday, tossing seven innings of one-run ball while striking out seven and walking none. While the outing wasn't enough to keep him in the big-league rotation for now, he'll likely remain one of the next men in line.

Lamet is expected to have his contract purchased from Triple-A El Paso later this week, Craig Mish of Sirius XM reports.

With Jered Weaver (hip) shuffling to the disabled list over the weekend, the Padres have an opening in their rotation, and it sounds like Lamet will get the first crack at filling the void. The team hasn't announced its rotation plans beyond the first two games of its series with the Mets that begins Tuesday, so Lamet could be a starting option for Thursday's series finale. The 24-year-old doesn't possess much of a prospect pedigree, but has been solid in eight starts for El Paso this season, compiling a 3.23 ERA and 50 strikeouts over 39 innings.

Melancon worked around a single to convert his ninth save of the season in Monday's 6-4 victory over the Cubs.

The Cubs made a late push with a four-run eighth inning -- shades of their comeback against the Giants in last year's NLDS -- but Melancon prevented history from repeating itself by shutting the door in the ninth. A brief trip to the disabled list slowed his season down, but the veteran closer has come back in full force, converting all three save opportunities since rejoining the team.

Blach (2-2) held the Cubs to three runs on eight hits over seven innings in a 6-4 win Monday. He walked none and struck out three.

Blach was in control all night, painting the corners of the strike zone (72 of 99 pitches for strikes) while inducing weak contact. It was even more impressive when you consider the strength of the opponent combined with howling winds that blew directly out to center field, giving the hitters a huge advantage. Just when it appeared that the young southpaw had fallen off the map when he was shelled for eight runs on May 6, Blach turns around and fires three consecutive quality starts, putting himself back into the fantasy picture. It is worth noting, however, that even with his recent hot stretch, the 26-year-old still sports an unsavory 3.0 K/9 on the season, likely limiting his value to deep and NL-only formats. A favorable matchup against the Braves is on deck Saturday, making Blach a target as a potential streamer.

Vizcaino walked one and struck out one in a scoreless eighth inning Monday against the Pirates to pick up his eighth hold of the season.

He has yet to record a save this year but the 26-year-old has the eighth-inning job on lockdown for the Braves right now, posting a 2.45 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 22:5 K:BB in 18.1 innings. Should Jim Johnson get dealt over the summer, Vizcaino would be the favorite to assume the closer role.

Hoffman (2-0) tossed seven innings of one-run ball in Monday's win over the Phillies, allowing three hits with no walks and seven strikeouts.

Making his first appearance since he was sent down to Triple-A Albuquerque earlier this month, Hoffman put together the best outing of his career at the top level. He allowed just three men to reach base and was only breached in the fourth inning, when Tommy Joseph's single knocked in Aaron Altherr. Hoffman also coaxed the Phillies into 10 swinging strikes while racking up an impressive strikeout total for the second straight start. The right-hander currently isn't scheduled to make another start for Colorado, but this stellar outing could very well keep him around for at least one more turn.

Floro was optioned to Triple-A Iowa on Monday, Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Floro was mauled for five runs in just two innings of work Sunday, so the Cubs opted to send him back to the minors for more seasoning. He could return to the big leagues relatively soon if more bullpen arms are needed in Chicago, though. Zac Rosscup will take his place on the major-league roster.