MLB Player News

Smith could be in the mix for save opportunities as the Giants switch to a closer by committee.

Smith was acquired by the Giants to serve as their left-handed setup man, but with Santiago Casilla being removed from the closer role Friday, every late-inning reliever could potentially see save opportunities. The lefty has to be considered lower on the totem pole given his sub-par performance since joining San Francisco (4.63 ERA), but a situation may arise where the Giants need to get multiple left-handed bats out in the ninth and could turn to Smith.

Law (elbow) -- who expects to return either Tuesday or Wednesday -- could immediately enter the competition for the vacant closer role in San Francisco, CSN Bay Area reports.

Manager Bruce Bochy said Law will be in the ninth-inning mix when he returns. The rookie has arguably been the Giants' best reliever this season, posting a 1.94 ERA and 0.96 WHIP over 51 innings before landing on the disabled list with a right elbow strain Aug. 28. Bochy tends to lean on his veterans in high-pressure innings, but Law's dominance this year may force his manager to give him save opportunities. Expect the Giants to use a committee approach for the immediate future, but Law is definitely worth a stash for those looking for saves down the stretch.

Gearrin picked up the save in Friday's extra-inning win over Arizona. He threw a scoreless inning and struck out two.

Gearrin converted one of the most unique save opportunities you will ever see Friday. He started the bottom of the 12th on the mound, but was moved to left field while Javier Lopez came in to face a lefty. Gearrin returned to the mound with two runners on and one out and got the job done, capping off a wild win for the Giants. There are two important things to take away from his outing. First, Gearrin earned the first save since Santiago Casilla had been removed as the team's closer. Second, the fact that manager Bruce Bochy went to such great lengths to keep Gearrin in the game shows the confidence he has in the 30-year-old. The Giants announced they would use a closer by committee, so it isn't guaranteed that Gearrin will continue to see save opportunities, but he obviously has the early lead in claiming the role after a successful conversion Friday.

Montero will get another turn in the Mets' rotation, starting Monday against the Nationals, The Record's Matt Ehalt reports.

He has allowed just three earned runs on five hits over 9.1 innings in his first two starts with the Mets this season, but he also issued 10 walks while striking out seven over those two starts. Considering he will be facing a loaded Nationals offense on the road, he makes for an extremely risky streaming option Monday. It remains to be seen if Montero will make another start after Monday, as the Mets are hoping to get Jacob deGrom and Steven Matz back at some point before the end of the regular season.

Rodriguez's contract was selected from Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Saturday.

The 24-year-old southpaw posted an impressive 2.35 ERA and 1.15 WHIP while fanning 69 over 76.2 innings between three levels of the minors this year. He will work in low-leverage spots over the final three weeks of the season and could earn a permanent spot in the big league bullpen in 2017.

Garcia was recalled from Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Saturday.

Garcia struggled in 8.2 innings with the big club earlier in the year (7.27 ERA), but has been much more fortunate n Lehigh Valley, where he had a 2.14 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 53 strikeouts in 54.2 innings. He'll serve in a low-leverage relief role over the final three weeks.

Adleman didn't factor into the decision against the Pirates on Friday, giving up two earned runs on seven hits and two walks over six innings. He also had two hits, including an RBI single, in his two at-bats.

The rookie righty was solid for the third straight appearance, with Friday's outing serving as his second quality start in his last three trips to the mound. Adleman did fail to record a strikeout, but was relatively efficient in firing just 90 pitches over his six frames. Although he hasn't recorded a victory since Aug. 19, Adleman has gone at least five innings in all but one of his nine starts this season, including five straight. He'll look to even his record at 3-3 when he takes on the Brewers next Wednesday.

Melancon (2-1) nailed down a 5-4 victory over the Phillies on Friday, giving up a walk over an inning and striking out two.

The closer got the victory when Trea Turner blasted a 432-foot game-winning shot in the home half of the ninth after Melancon labored through a 21-pitch inning. Despite the elevated pitch count, it was a solid bounce-back performance for the 31-year-old, who gave up three earned runs over his prior two appearances. Melancon has a stellar 1.67 ERA and 54:12 K:BB on the season, and his 39 saves are the second-highest total of his career in that category.

Cordero has been placed on the disabled list at Triple-A Lehigh Valley with a right shoulder strain.

This is the second time this season that Cordero has been on the disabled list with a shoulder injury. He appeared in just one game after being promoted to Lehigh Valley earlier this month. The injury may have cost him a promotion to Philadelphia now that the IronPigs are out of the International League playoffs.

De La Rosa allowed one run on one hit over two innings against the Giants on Friday. He also struck out three and walked two.

Coming back from a long absence due to a disabled list stint, De La Rosa wasn't expected to hurl more than three frames. He threw 43 pitches, 23 of which were for strikes. He is 4-5 with a 4.17 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 52 strikeouts in 49.2 innings this season. He is scheduled to pitch again Wednesday versus Colorado.