MLB Player News

Ginkel allowed three runs on two hits and two walks over one inning in Wednesday's 8-1 loss to Toronto. He also hit a batter.

Ginkel made his second appearance since being recalled and both have been in low-leverage, mop-up duty. He managed to escape with a win in his first outing Saturday when the Diamondbacks scored five runs in the bottom of ninth to overcome a four-run deficit that Ginkel helped create. On Wednesday, he entered with Arizona trailing by four runs and threw just 13 strikes among his 29 offerings. Ginkel has allowed five runs (four earned) on four hits and three walks while hitting a batter over two innings since his return to the majors.

Halvorsen picked up the save in Wednesday's 3-2 win over the Nationals, striking out two in a perfect ninth inning.

Halvorsen has converted the Rockies' last two save opportunities. He's turned in four consecutive scoreless innings, striking out five while allowing just one hit in that span. Overall, the right-hander has logged five saves while posting a 4.25 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 28:14 K:BB across 29.2 innings this season. The demotion of Zach Agnos last weekend should leave Halvorsen as Colorado's top option for saves, though Tyler Kinley could also be in the mix.

Blackburn (0-1) was saddled with the loss Wednesday against Atlanta, giving up three runs (two earned) on four hits and two walks in 3.2 innings. He struck out two.

Blackburn wasn't fully stretched out in his second start of the season, as he was pulled after throwing 73 pitches, but he managed to settle in following Atlanta's three-run first frame. The Mets will likely need the veteran right-hander for at least one more start, with Kodai Senga (hamstring), Sean Manaea (oblique) and Frankie Montas (lat) all still sitting on the injured list. Blackburn's next turn in the Mets' rotation lines up for a rematch versus Atlanta next week, when he'll carry a 6.94 ERA, 1.69 WHIP and 8:4 K:BB through his first 13 innings of the year.

The Giants optioned Beck to Triple-A Sacramento on Wednesday, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

With Justin Verlander (pectoral) returning from the injured list to start Wednesday's game against Cleveland, Beck will end up as the odd man without a spot on the Giants' pitching staff. The 28-year-old righty turned in a 4.50 ERA and 1.25 WHIP across 12 innings during his time in San Francisco.

The Dodgers optioned Sauer to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Wednesday.

Sauer was credited with a win Tuesday against the Padres, despite allowing three runs over 2.1 relief innings. He will head back to Oklahoma City to accommodate the return of Emmet Sheehan (elbow), who was reinstated from the 60-day injured list to start Wednesday's contest.

The Marlins optioned Tarnok to Triple-A Jacksonville on Wednesday.

Tarnok made a nice impression during his brief time in the majors, picking up a save in his first appearance and a win in his other outing and not allowing a baserunner in either outing. He should receive another opportunity with the Marlins eventually, but for now he's clearing out to make room on the roster for Wednesday's starting pitcher, Adam Mazur, who was recalled from Triple-A. Tarnok could settle back into a starting role as he returns to Jacksonville.

Estrada (2-4) took the loss against the Dodgers on Tuesday, allowing five runs on five hits without retiring any batters.

When Estrada entered in the sixth inning, the game was tied 3-3. The right-hander gave up a single to the first batter he faced and was then tagged for a two-run homer by Will Smith. Estrada gave up three consecutive singles following the long ball and was pulled without having recorded an out. He's yielded seven runs over 1.2 innings across his past three outings, pushing his season ERA from 2.08 up to 3.94.

The Phillies acquired Hoffman from the Rangers on Wednesday in exchange for cash considerations. Philadelphia selected Hoffman's contract and optioned him to Triple-A Lehigh Valley.

Hoffman has been at Triple-A Round Rock all season, collecting a 5.91 ERA and 46:21 K:BB over 35 innings. The 27-year-old has not made an appearance in the big leagues, but he'll now get a spot on Philadelphia's 40-man roster and could have a clearer path to making his MLB debut later on this season.

Scott struck out one in a perfect inning to earn the save in Tuesday's 8-6 win over the Padres.

Scott was called upon in the ninth inning to face the heart of the Padres' order. He closed out the game with 13 pitches (nine strikes) while pitching for the third day in a row. This was his fourth straight perfect inning, a span in which he's racked up six strikeouts, two saves and two holds. Scott has a 3.63 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, 40:4 K:BB, 14 saves and seven holds across 34.2 innings this season. He remains the Dodgers' top high-leverage reliever, though that has occasionally cost him some chances at saves since the team has plenty of trustworthy late-inning arms. Scott likely won't pitch Wednesday given his recent workload, so look for Kirby Yates or Alex Vesia to be closing options should a save situation arise in that game.

Sauer (2-1) earned the win in Tuesday's 8-6 victory over the Padres, allowing three earned runs on three hits and two walks while striking out three over 2.1 innings of relief.

The Dodgers opted for a bullpen day Tuesday, with Sauer entering in the top of the fifth in a 3-3 game after starter Jack Dreyer and reliever Lou Trivino worked two innings apiece to lead off the contest. With Los Angeles rallying for five runs in the sixth inning, Sauer ended up getting credited with the win, despite giving three of those runs back in the top of the seventh. Sauer now holds a 6.18 ERA, 1.45 WHIP and 22:8 K:BB through 27.2 innings over nine appearances (one start) this season, and his time with the big club could soon be coming to an end. The Dodgers will activate Emmet Sheehan (elbow) from the 60-day injured list to start Wednesday's contest, and since Sauer is unlikely to be available for at least another day or two after Tuesday's 54-pitch appearance, he might be pushed off the roster to clear a spot for Sheehan.