MLB Player News

Doval earned the save during Friday's 6-5 victory over the Diamondbacks, allowing one hit while striking out one in a scoreless ninth inning.

Doval was granted the save chance after San Francisco took the lead in the top of the ninth and was able to work around a two-out Josh Rojas single to convert his seventh straight save opportunity. The 25-year-old has been lights out in September, permitting just eight baserunners and no runs compared to 13 strikeouts in 10.2 innings across 10 appearances while recording seven saves and two wins. The solid stretch has reduced Doval's ERA from 2.85 to 2.38.

Williams retired the only four batters he faced while earning a save over the Reds on Friday. He struck out three.

Williams recorded one out to end the eighth inning before striking out the side in the ninth to finish off a 5-3 win. The 28-year-old righty now has 14 saves in 15 attempts this season. He's allowed one run over his last 9.2 innings, lowering his season ERA to 1.72 through 62 appearances.

Kimbrel was removed from the Dodgers' closer role Friday, Matthew Moreno of DodgerBlue.com reports.

The decision comes after Kimbrel allowed at least one run in three of his last four games. That followed a stretch in which he allowed just one hit across nine scoreless appearances, but his 6:3 K:BB in those outings was far from convincing. The veteran now owns a 4.14 ERA on the season and has struck out a modest 27.2 percent of opposing batters, well below his career mark of 40.0 percent. A committee approach to the ninth inning appears to be the plan for now in Los Angeles, with Chris Martin, Evan Phillips and Brusdar Graterol among the leading candidates.

Holton was optioned to Triple-A Reno on Friday.

He was recalled Wednesday and never got into a game before being sent back to Triple-A. Holton has a 3.00 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and six strikeouts in nine innings over 10 MLB appearances.

Hudson (knee) hopes to be ready for spring training next season, Matthew Moreno of DodgerBlue.com reports.

Hudson tore his ACL in late June, an injury which carries a lengthy recovery timeline. The veteran will avoid trying to push himself too much, and the Dodgers should be able to avoid rushing the 35-year-old given their typically strong bullpen depth, but it's still good to see that an Opening Day return remains a possibility. Hudson was having an excellent season at the time of the injury, cruising to a 2.22 ERA and 0.90 WHIP in 24.1 innings while saving five games, which convinced the team to pick up his 2023 option.

Martinez (4-4) was tagged with the loss and a blown save against the Cardinals on Thursday, allowing two runs on two hits and one walk over two-thirds of an inning.

Martinez was summoned from the bullpen in the seventh inning after St. Louis put two runners on base with one out. The Padres were leading 3-1 at the time, but Martinez walked Tommy Edman and served up a grand slam to Brendan Donovan to give up the lead. It was the third time in his past eight outings that Martinez has given up multiple runs, and the righty reliever has a 7.00 ERA over that stretch. He's no longer in the mix for saves with Josh Hader having rediscovered his form.

Cousins was optioned to Triple-A Nashville on Friday.

Cousins was called up by the Brewers on Monday and struck out five in 3.1 scoreless innings over three appearances following his promotion. However, he'll head back to the minors after Eric Lauer (elbow) was reinstated from the 15-day injured list prior to Friday's start against Cincinnati.

Graterol struck out one batter in a perfect inning against Arizona on Thursday.

Graterol missed over three weeks due to an elbow issue before he was activated Thursday. The right-hander was immediately given high-leverage work when he was called upon in the eighth inning with the score tied 1-1. Graterol threw 12 strikes among his 16 pitches and retired the side in order. He could be a key factor down the stretch and in the playoffs with Craig Kimbrel possibly losing his hold on the closer role and Blake Treinen's status uncertain due to a shoulder injury.

Kimbrel (6-6) earned the win over Arizona on Thursday despite allowing one run on one hit, one walk and one hit batsman over one inning. After the contest, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said he'll "think through" the ninth-inning role and "figure out what's best for the ball club," per Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic.

Kimbrel came into the contest with the game tied 1-1 in the ninth inning, so it wasn't a save situation. He hit Jake McCarthy with a pitch to begin the frame but had some good fortune when replay determined that McCarthy was tagged out on a stolen-base attempt after initially being called safe. Kimbrel couldn't capitalize on that big call, however, as the next batter -- Christian Walker -- tagged him for a go-ahead solo homer. Kimbrel remained in the contest and issued a two-out walk before finishing off the frame, and he earned the victory when the Dodgers scored twice in the bottom of the ninth. Kimbrel has been shaky of late, allowing at least one run in three of his past four appearances. Roberts' postgame comments suggest that the veteran closer isn't guaranteed to remain in the ninth-inning role as the Dodgers look ahead to what they hope will be a deep postseason run.

Alvarado earned a save against Atlanta on Thursday, allowing one hit and striking out two batters over 1.1 scoreless innings.

Alvarado entered in the eighth inning with two outs and the tying run on first base. He retired Matt Olson to end the frame, then stayed in for the ninth despite the fact that No. 1 closer David Robertson was warming in the bullpen. Alvarado took advantage of the opportunity by working around a two-out single to notch his second save of the campaign. Robertson and Seranthony Dominguez have struggled in September, so it's possible that Alvarado could get some more save chances moving forward.