MLB Player News

Mlodzinksi will start Saturday's game against the Twins in what's expected to be a bullpen day for the Pirates, Andrew Destin of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Mlodzinski will be picking up his second big-league start and his first of the 2024 season while the Pirates look to fill the spot in the rotation that was previously occupied by Quinn Priester (lat), who was placed on the 15-day injured list Thursday. Over his 20 appearances this season between the Pirates and Triple-A Indianapolis, Mlodzinski hasn't covered more than two innings on any occasions, so manager Derek Shelton is unlikely to ask the right-hander to work more than once through the batting order. Luis Ortiz covered a season-high three innings in his most recent appearance out of the bullpen June 1 in Toronto and could be called upon to serve as a bulk reliever once Mlodzinski exits the game.

Grove (4-2) pitched a perfect inning to earn the win in relief against the Yankees on Friday.

Neither team was able to score through nine innings, pushing the contest into extra frames. The Dodgers failed to score in the top of the 10th, but Grove was able to extend the game by keeping the Yankees from scoring in the bottom of that inning. The right-hander then moved into position for the win as a result of Los Angeles scoring twice in the top of the 11th. Grove still has an uninspiring 4.59 ERA on the campaign, but he's been pitching well since the end of April. Over his past 15 outings, he holds a 2.20 ERA, 0.80 WHIP and 21:6 K:BB across 16.1 frames while recording four wins and four holds.

Diaz gave up a run on a hit and a walk in the ninth inning Friday, recording his 13th save of the season in a 3-2 win over the Cubs. He struck out one.

The right-hander made things difficult once again, issuing a free pass with two outs before a Miguel Amaya double brought the tying run to the plate. Diaz was able to strike out Patrick Wisdom to end the game, however. Diaz has walked a batter in four straight appearances, but he's successfully converted six straight save chances. On the season, he carries a rough 5.55 ERA, 1.52 WHIP and 27:18 K:BB through 24.1 innings, but for now the Reds are willing to let him work through his control issues.

Ramirez recorded his first save of the season in Friday's 2-1 win over the Yankees, giving up one unearned run on one hit in the 11th inning. He struck out two.

The journeyman right-hander is already on his third team of 2024, but with Evan Phillips having thrown 31 pitches the night before and both Daniel Hudson and Blake Treinen having been deployed earlier in Friday's contest, Ramirez got the call in a high-leverage spot and delivered. He allowed the phantom runner to score on a one-out single by Aaron Judge, but Ramirez then struck out Giancarlo Stanton before Anthony Rizzo popped out to end the game. In nine innings for the Dodgers, the 29-year-old Ramirez has a 3.00 ERA, 0.89 WHIP and 5:2 K:BB, but he's unlikely to become a regular part of the late-inning mix.

Romero (3-1) struck out one and hit one batter in a scoreless inning to earn the win over the Rockies on Friday.

After his Monday meltdown versus the Astros, Romero has bounced back with a pair of scoreless outings. There's been little reason to worry about the southpaw this year, as he's pitched to a 1.97 ERA, 0.81 WHIP and 32:4 K:BB over 32 innings. He's added 19 holds and two blown saves while operating in a setup role ahead of closer Ryan Helsley. Romero's impressive numbers have been fueled by his slider, which he's thrown 33.5 percent of the time. Opponents are batting just .048 off the pitch, and it's generated a 44.4 percent whiff rate on this year, per Statcast.

Helsley picked up the save in Friday's 8-5 victory over Colorado. He pitched a perfect inning with two strikeouts.

Helsley handily retired all three batters faced in his third consecutive scoreless outing to gather his league-leading 21st save. The Cardinals closer has been stellar, suffering just one blown save in his 28 total appearances. Overall, the 29-year-old flamethrower sports a 2.25 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 31:6 K:BB in 28 innings this season.

Doval struck out one batter in a perfect inning to earn a save over the Rangers on Friday.

Doval fired 10 of 15 pitches to quickly retire the Ragners' 3-4-5 hitters in order and finish off the 5-2 win. It was his first appearance since coughing up four runs against the Yankees on June 2. Doval has now converted 10 of his 12 save chances and Friday was his first successful attempt since May 24. Doval lowered his season ERA to 4.07 through 24.1 innings.

Scott (5-4) struck out two batters over 1.2 perfect frames and earned a win over the Guardians on Friday.

Scott entered a tie game in the eighth inning and forced a double play to escape the first-and-third jam he inherited. He then struck out two in the ninth inning before Miami walked it off in the bottom of the frame. After some early season struggles, Scott has now gone 18 straight innings without allowing an earned run. His season ERA has fallen to 1.40 with a 27:19 K:BB through 25.2 innings.

Finnegan earned the save Friday in a 2-1 win over Atlanta, striking out a pair in a scoreless ninth inning.

Finnegan is now 17-for-19 in save chances this year, tied for fourth-most in the majors. The right-hander's allowed just two earned runs in his last 23 appearances (23.1 innings), lowering his ERA to 1.80 with a 0.92 WHIP and 25:10 K:BB across 25 innings this season.

Robertson (elbow) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session Saturday, Lynn Worthy of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

It will be Robertson's first bullpen since landing on the injured list May 26 due to right elbow inflammation. Before the injury, he had appeared in eight games for the Cardinals, registering a 4.38 ERA and 1.38 WHIP over 12.1 innings out of the bullpen.