MLB Player News

Yates picked up a save against the Padres on Monday by tossing a perfect ninth inning.

Manager Dave Roberts went to usual closer Tanner Scott to face the heart of San Diego's order in the eighth inning, then turned to Yates to close things out in the ninth. The right-handed Yates had little trouble doing so, throwing nine of 10 pitches for strikes and retiring Jake Cronenworth, Jose Iglesias and Tyler Wade in order. Roberts has shown a willingness to turn to Scott before the ninth frame when situations call for it, but that doesn't necessarily mean Yates will dominate save chances in those circumstances. In fact, the veteran reliever is one of four hurlers with multiple saves on the campaign for Los Angeles, and Alex Vesia tops him with three saves.

Casparius (5-1) was credited with a victory against San Diego on Monday, allowing two runs on three hits and one walk while striking out two batters over 3.2 innings.

Shohei Ohtani made his much-anticipated Dodgers debut as a pitcher Monday, pushing Casparius to bulk relief after manager Dave Roberts mentioned last week that the 26-year-old would be moving into the rotation. Ohtani went just one inning, however, and Casparius got the call with two outs in the second frame following a brief outing by Anthony Banda. Casparius surrendered an RBI double to Xander Bogaerts in the fourth inning and a solo homer to Manny Machado in the sixth, but he pitched well enough to notch the victory. It's not yet clear how Roberts will manage Casparius' outings moving forward -- there's still a chance the right-hander will get an opportunity to function as a traditional starter soon, but he'll likely work in bulk relief until Ohtani has enough starts under his belt to serve as more than an opener.

Vodnik (2-2) allowed one walk across a scoreless eighth inning to earn the win Monday against the Nationals.

Vodnik had a rough outing Friday, allowing three earned runs against Atlanta across one inning of work. He bounced back Monday and earned his second win of the season, tallying his 13th scoreless effort in 18 total appearances. Vodnik has only one hold for the campaign but is working regularly in high-leverage spots.

Halvorsen picked up the save, walking one batter in the process, during Monday's 6-4 win over the Nationals.

The Rockies closer worked his third straight scoreless outing Monday, allowing just one hit over that stretch, to earn his fourth save of the season. The 25-year-old hasn't gotten a ton of save opportunities, and he hasn't been too efficient with them either, blowing two of the six he's had. The right-hander has a 4.40 ERA on the season.

Finnegan was saddled with a blown save after allowing three runs on three hits, walking and striking out none, during Monday's 6-4 loss to the Rockies.

It was perhaps the worst outing of the season for Finnegan, allowing a season-high three runs and three hits. The 33-year-old has flirted with danger lately, allowing seven hits in his last five games, but this was the first time that he allowed a run credited to him over that stretch. The right-hander is now 18-for-23 on save opportunities for the season.

Kerkering secured the save in Monday's 5-2 win at Miami, pitching a clean inning with one strikeout.

The 24-year-old required just 12 pitches, nine of which were strikes, to pick up his first save of the season. Kerkering has now made 16 consecutive appearances without allowing an earned run, a span during which he's tossed 14.1 innings with a 13:7 K:BB. Jordan Romano, the Philadelphia saves leader, pitched in the seventh inning, while Matt Strahm, who secured the save Saturday, pitched in the eighth of Monday's contest. If Phillies manager Rob Thomson is trending towards employing a closer committee, Kerkering, with his 2.54 ERA across 28.1 total innings, could be in line for more save opportunities.

Thompson (elbow) will begin his rehab assignment with Double-A Harrisburg on Tuesday, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.

Thompson has been cleared to embark on a rehab assignment after his lone outing in the Florida League Complex on Saturday, when he allowed two hits and struck out two batters in one inning. The 27-year-old right-hander is taking the final steps of his recovery from Tommy John surgery in March of 2024. How Thompson's throwing elbow reacts to extended work in Double-A will determine a timeline for his return to the majors.

Tinoco (forearm) resumed a throwing program Monday, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Tinoco has missed much of June with a right forearm strain but has been cleared to play catch. The right-handed reliever will likely require a rehab assignment before being activated from the 15-day injured list.

The Pirates activated Moreta (elbow) from the 60-day injured list Monday and optioned him to Triple-A Indianapolis.

Moreta has made 18 rehab appearances as he comes back from Tommy John surgery, allowing five runs with a 21:12 K:BB over 16.2 innings. The 29-year-old will continue to knock some rust off at Triple-A Indianapolis while he awaits another opportunity at the big-league level.

Raley (elbow) will begin a rehab assignment with Single-A St. Lucie on Tuesday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Raley is ready to pitch in games again following Tommy John surgery with an internal brace augmentation he underwent last May. The southpaw's rehab assignment will likely last most, if not all, of the allotted 30 days, but Raley is on track to join the Mets bullpen sometime in July.