MLB Player News

Nationals manager Dusty Baker confirmed Friday that Lopez will start the game on Saturday against the Braves, Chelsea Janes of the Washington Post reports.

Lopez has a chance to stick in the Nationals rotation with Joe Ross still sidelined with a shoulder injury. Mat Latos was also recently sent to Triple-A and could be an option to start games for Washington down the stretch.

The Phillies promoted Pivetta to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Friday, Greg Joyce of the Express-Times reports.

Pivetta was acquired from the Nationals last season in the Jonathan Papelbon trade. He was 11-6 with a 3.41 ERA and a 111:41 K:BB in 124 innings for Double-A Reading this season. He struggled with walks at Double-A last season, but has made some solid strides in that area this year. The jury is still out if he will stick in the rotation. If not, he has the stuff to be a solid reliever in the majors.

Morris will be called up to the Braves on Friday, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Morris, who was part of the deal coming back to Atlanta for Kelly Johnson on June 8, has pitched 22.2 innings for Double-A Mississippi. During that span, the 23-year-old owns a 2.78 ERA with 30 strikeouts and 17 walks. Morris will need to work on his command of the strike zone if he wants to be successful at the major league level.

Ottavino struck out the side in a perfect ninth inning Thursday en route to his first save of the season.

After striking out Robinson Chirinos swinging, Ottavino got Shin Soo Choo and Ian Desmond looking to earn his first save since Apr. 24 of last year. Ottavino has now turned in 17 consecutive scoreless appearances since his return from Tommy John surgery, although his velocity is down well below where it was before the procedure. Regardless, Ottavino is back in the closer role for the Rockies after Carlos Estevez pitched his way out of the ninth inning.

Strop underwent an arthroscopic procedure on his left knee Thursday and is expected to miss four-to-six weeks, Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Although tests revealed a torn meniscus for Strop, his knee ligaments were found to be intact and it sounds like the Cubs are optimistic they'll have Strop available for the postseason at least. Justin Grimm has been recalled to replace Strop on the active roster, while Joe Smith figures to move up in the bullpen hierarchy to take on more high-leverage work in front of closer Aroldis Chapman.

Beede, 23, has a 2.92 ERA and 64:28 K:BB over his last 10 starts for Double-A Richmond, a span of 61.2 innings.

The uptick in strikeouts from the beginning of the season is worth noting. Beede has fanned at least six batters in four-straight starts, compiling a 30:14 K:BB in 24.2 innings during that time period. The walks remain a concern, but the former first round selection is finally flashing his strikeout potential.

Lopez is expected to be recalled to start Saturday's game against the Braves, the Washington Post's Chelsea Janes reports.

It was unclear when the Nationals would call on a fifth starter, and it was unclear which pitcher they would summon from Triple-A. Both of those questions appear to have been answered, as the hard throwing Dominican will make his third big league start Saturday against a mediocre Braves lineup. Lopez has a 3.12 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 22 strikeouts in 26 innings with Triple-A Syracuse but his 9.35 ERA and 2.31 WHIP in two big league starts should be enough to scare away some prospective owners. The one thing he should be able to provide is strikeouts -- he has 13 over nine innings in The Show this year. With Joe Ross shut down with shoulder soreness, Lopez could stick in the big league rotation for the foreseeable future if he performs better this time around. Otherwise Lucas Giolito will likely get another shot.

With pitched a scoreless eighth inning Wednesday to bring his scoreless appearance streak up to 17.

Law has been untouchable of late, lowering his ERA to 2.05 (lowest among San Francisco relievers) after Wednesday's outing. Manager Bruce Bochy has been more willing to turn to him in high-leverage situations, as evidenced by his usage in the eighth inning of today's 1-0 game. During his scoreless streak Law has allowed just nine baserunners while striking out 14. He has also racked up five holds over that span.

Chapman struck out the side in order Wednesday against the Angels for his fourth save as a Cub.

So far, Chapman's been every bit as good in Chicago as he was in New York and Cincinnati -- better, even. The electric lefty is sure to see plenty of save chances down the stretch as the Cubs march toward the playoffs.

Smith picked up his first hold with his new club, striking out both batters he faced in Wednesday's 1-0 win over Miami.

Smith has struggled since coming over from Milwaukee at the trade deadline, surrendering four runs in two innings of work prior to Wednesday. If he strings together a couple more solid outings, then the Giants can deploy him as their left-handed setup man, the role they envision for Smith when they acquired him.