MLB Player News

Pivetta allowed four runs on five hits over 4.2 innings in a loss to the Nationals on Saturday. He struck out five and walked four.

Pivetta had held the Nationals scoreless through four innings, but things fell apart in the fifth. Trea Turner homered and Ryan Zimmerman doubled to drive in all four runs that Pivetta gave up. The rookie should get one more start this week before Aaron Nola rejoins the rotation next weekend.

Ellington was optioned to Triple-A New Orleans on Saturday.

The 26-year-old didn't concede an earned run during his brief stint in the majors, although with Edinson Volquez returning from the disabled list for Saturday's start, Ellington was the odd man out on the roster. However, the fact that he held his own in the big leagues could bode well for him down the road if the Marlins are in need of bullpen help again.

Poncedeleon remains in an Intensive Care Unit in Iowa after taking a line drive off his skull Tuesday while pitching for Triple-A Memphis, but he's begun to make tangible progress, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports. "We are very encouraged on how things are progressing," general manager John Mozeliak said. "Certainly, (we) are very hopeful. He's showing more energy. The doctors are pleased with where he's at."

The 25-year-old had surgery Wednesday to alleviate pressure on his brain following the blow and has been in the ICU since. However, the most recent developments bode well, as he's conscious and eating on his own. Mozeliak went on to term Poncedeleon's overall status as "moving in a very positive direction," and doctors expect to have a firmer assessment of his prognosis by early next week. Poncedeleon had gotten 2017 off to an excellent start, going 2-0 with a 2.17 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and .196 BAA over 29 innings. His baseball future naturally remains up in the air at the moment, with a full return to normal functioning the immediate goal.

Maurer recorded his fifth save of the season in a 6-3 win over the White Sox on Friday. He allowed one hit and struck out one.

It was a nice response from the young reliever after he gave up a walk-off homer Thursday. He did give up a base hit to lead off the ninth inning, but stranded him in scoring position to end the game. He should continue to obtain save opportunities as long as Carter Capps (elbow) remains on the DL, and perhaps beyond.

Melancon will play catch Saturday for the first time since injuring his right elbow May 3, Amy Gutierrez of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

The Giants remain hopeful that Melancon will be able to make his return to the majors on May 16, his first eligible date. Assuming he makes it through Saturday's bullpen session without issue, expect him back in the bullpen next Tuesday against the Dodgers.

Pivetta will make his next start Saturday against the Nationals, Meghan Montemurro of The News Journal reports.

As was speculated, Pivetta will simply slide his start back a day after Friday's game was postponed due to inclement weather. He'll face off against Tanner Roark as before, which will likely keep him on schedule for his next start Thursday in Texas thanks to the Phillies' off day Monday.

Hoffman was optioned to Triple-A Albuquerque on Friday, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

Hoffman shined in his first start of the season with the Rockies, fanning eight while allowing three runs in 5.1 innings pitched. However, with no opening in the rotation in the long term, he'll return to Triple-A for more development. That being said, the pitching prospect seems like a logical candidate to make a spot start down the line given his success in his most recent start. To fill his spot on the big-league roster, Raimel Tapia was recalled from Triple-A.

Pivetta will not make his scheduled start Friday against the Nationals after the game was postponed due to inclement weather, Dan Kolko of MASN Sports reports.

The game will be made up as part of a split doubleheader Sunday. No word has come forth as to how the Phillies will manage their rotation in response to this news, but it would seem logical for Pivetta to simply move back to start Saturday's game.

Grace was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse on Friday, Dan Kolko of MASN Sports reports.

The 28-year-old southpaw saw mixed results in his first stint with the big league club this season, but with Shawn Kelley and Koda Glover returning from injuries in time for Friday's game with the Phillies, Grace's services were no longer needed. He'll return to the Triple-A bullpen where he'll look to improve on the middling 4.91 ERA he currently possesses with the Chiefs.

Iglesias notched his seventh save in Thursday's 3-2 win over the Giants, giving up two hits over an inning and recording a strikeout.

The 27-year-old right-hander worked around some trouble of his own making, as he gave up singles to Nick Hundley and Denard Span. However, Iglesias managed to secure his seventh save in as many chances by inducing a flyball from Brandon Belt, who'd homered earlier in the game. Iglesias is now boasting an 0.93 ERA and 0.93 WHIP, along with a solid 20:7 K:BB over 19.1 innings.