MLB Player News
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Bradley Blalock RP | COL
Rockies' Bradley Blalock: Limits Padres to one run
Blalock allowed one run on six hits and three walks while striking out two over 5.2 innings in a no-decision versus the Padres on Sunday.
Blalock came an out short of a quality start for the second outing in a row, and he was also pulled before the Rockies gained the lead in the bottom of the sixth inning. While he walked three, it was still another positive performance for the 23-year-old in his Coors Field debut. Blalock has a 2.92 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 6:4 K:BB over 12.1 innings across three appearances (two starts) between Colorado and Milwaukee this year. Despite his decent pitching, Blalock may be sent back to Triple-A Albuquerque if Ryan Feltner (shoulder) is able to return from the injured list this week without requiring a rehab assignment, though Tanner Gordon has been less inspiring as a fill-in starter for Colorado's injury-plagued rotation.
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Randy Rodriguez RP | SF
Giants' Randy Rodriguez: Facing multi-week shutdown
Giants manager Bob Melvin said Sunday that Rodriguez (elbow) will be shut down from throwing for at least a couple weeks, Shayna Rubin of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
The right-hander landed on the injured list Thursday due to elbow inflammation, and that diagnosis was confirmed after undergoing an MRI. Rodriguez has yet to be ruled out for the season, but he'll likely need to avoid any setbacks in his recovery to have a chance of rejoining the Giants in late September.
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Brusdar Graterol RP | LAD
Dodgers' Brusdar Graterol: Nearing bullpen session
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Sunday that Graterol (hamstring) will throw a bullpen session soon, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.
The right-hander landed on the shelf with a Grade 1 hamstring strain in early August, and he's making a relatively quick return to mound work. Graterol suffered the injury during his season debut after he missed the first four months of the campaign due to a shoulder injury.
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Casey Legumina RP | CIN
Reds' Casey Legumina: Back in majors
The Reds recalled Legumina from Triple-A Louisville on Sunday.
Legumina has had a couple stints in the majors this season and has rejoined the Reds for Sunday's series finale versus Kansas City. The right-hander gave up two runs over two innings during his lone appearance for Cincinnati and has a 3.27 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 52:17 K:BB over 52.1 innings at Triple-A.
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Ryan Brasier RP | LAD
Dodgers' Ryan Brasier: Excellent in return
Brasier pitched 1.1 perfect innings out of the bullpen in Saturday's loss to the Cardinals.
Brasier took over for starter Bobby Miller with a runner on third base and two outs in the fifth inning and retired Nolan Arenado to end the threat. Brasier then returned to the mound in the sixth and needed just five pitches to set the side down in order. This was the righty reliever's first major-league game action since April 27. He appears to be past the calf injury that necessitated a stay on the 60-day IL.
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Nate Pearson RP | CHC
Cubs' Nate Pearson: Earns win in relief Saturday
Pearson (2-1) tossed two scoreless innings of relief to earn the win in Saturday's 3-2 victory over the Blue Jays. He allowed one hit and two walks while striking out one.
Pearson beat his former team to earn his second win of the season, both of which have come since he got traded to the Cubs on July 27. The righty has also posted a strong 2.89 ERA and 0.86 WHIP across 9.1 innings for Chicago. By contrast, he had a 5.63 ERA and 1.55 WHIP in 40 innings for Toronto. It remains to be seen if Pearson can keep this level of play up, but so far he's been a solid addition for the Cubs.
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Porter Hodge RP | CHC
Cubs' Porter Hodge: Picks up hold Saturday
Hodge pitched 1.2 scoreless innings to record a hold in Saturday's 3-2 win over the Blue Jays. He walked two and struck out two.
Hodge worked in front of Jorge Lopez, who picked up the save with regular closer Hector Neris unavailable after throwing 33 pitches in a blown save Friday. It remains to be seen if Neris will return to the role moving forward, but if the Cubs decide to make a change, both Hodge and Lopez could see save opportunities. Tyson Miller would likely be in the mix as well based on his strong play this season. For now, Hodge remains a strong setup option with a 2.15 ERA and 34 strikeouts across 29.1 innings this year, to go along with a team-high nine holds.
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Paul Sewald RP | ARI
Diamondbacks' Paul Sewald: Continues scoreless stretch
Sewald allowed one hit and struck out three over a scoreless inning in Saturday's 6-1 loss to the Rays.
Sewald has excelled since being replaced as the Diamondbacks' closer. Since then, he has yet to allow a run in six appearances, striking out eight over six innings. Arizona manager Torey Lovullo talked about Sewald having delivery issues at the time of his demotion; if the right-hander solved those issues, he could get save opportunities down the stretch. Sewald remains the most experienced closer in the bullpen.
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Ryan Helsley RP | STL
Cardinals' Ryan Helsley: Secures 38th save
Helsley picked up the save over the Dodgers on Saturday, striking out one over a perfect ninth inning.
Helsley made short work of the middle of the Dodgers' lineup, retiring the side in order on just six pitches after entering the contest with a three-run lead in the ninth. It marked the 38th save for the right-hander, which leads the majors, and it was only the second time this month in which he didn't allow any hits or walks. Helsley has now converted each of his last five save opportunities, posting a 4:3 K:BB over that stretch.
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Jorge Lopez RP | CHC
Cubs' Jorge Lopez: Earns third save
Lopez earned the save in Saturday's 3-2 win over the Blue Jays, allowing a solo home run and striking out three in the ninth inning.
Primary closer Hector Neris threw 33 pitches in a blown save Friday, so Lopez was summoned to protect a 3-1 lead in the ninth inning Saturday. He allowed a leadoff home run to Addison Barger but responded by striking out the next three batters he faced. On the season, the 31-year-old owns a 2.44 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 42:18 K:B across 48 innings.