MLB Player News

Small gave up two walks and no hits in a scoreless inning, en route to his first career save in Thursday's 3-0 win over the Cardinals.

Small has not traditionally been an option to close games in his limited work so far, however the team was willing to experiment with the rookie in a high-leverage spot given they are likely providing their regulars extra rest in advance of the playoffs. The southpaw made things tight by bringing the tying run to the plate in Masyn Winn after allowing two walks, but managed to close the door and preserve the team shutout. This was Small's first appearance since being recalled on Wednesday. He logged a 3.18 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 61 strikeouts in 51 innings while working as a reliever with Triple-A Nashville.

Beck is scheduled to start Saturday's game against the Dodgers, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

The 27-year-old right-hander should be in line for a traditional start after he had been operating in a piggyback or bulk-relief role for much of his various stints with the big club this season. Beck owns a 4.05 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 65:20 K:BB through his first 80 major-league innings this season with San Francisco.

De Jesus was optioned to Triple-A Jacksonville on Thursday, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

De Jesus has surrendered eight earned runs across his first 6.1 major-league innings this season. Tanner Scott is back from the paternity list in a corresponding move ahead of the Marlins' series finale Thursday versus the Mets.

Scott was activated from the paternity list ahead of Thursday's game against the Mets, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Scott missed Wednesday's doubleheader at Citi Field while welcoming a new addition to his growing family, but he is back in time for Thursday's series finale. The 29-year-old left-hander had been serving as the Marlins' primary closer prior to his brief absence and boasts an overall 2.38 ERA with 101 strikeouts through 75.2 innings this season.

The Mets recalled Reyes from Triple-A Syracuse on Thursday.

Reyes will give the Mets a fresh bullpen arm heading into their final four games. He's struggled to a 6.23 ERA through 17.1 innings of work this season at the major-league level.

Yarbrough is listed as the Dodgers' probable starting pitcher for Thursday's game against the Rockies.

The southpaw will be making just his second start for the Dodgers since being acquired in an Aug. 1 deal with the Royals, but he should be able to provide Los Angeles with plenty of length. He's worked three-plus innings in nine of his 10 outings with the Dodgers, pitching to a 3.12 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 36:4 K:BB over 34.2 innings. With a strong showing Thursday, Yarbrough could cement a spot in the Dodgers' postseason rotation, but he'll otherwise fill a key relief role if he misses out on a starting role.

Jarvis is listed as the Diamondbacks' starting pitcher in Thursday's game against the White Sox at Guaranteed Rate Field, Jesse Friedman of ArizonaSports.com reports.

Jarvis made 16 starts at Triple-A Reno this season, but each of his first nine big-league appearances with Arizona have come out of the bullpen. Though he'll draw his first MLB start Thursday, Jarvis hasn't covered more than 3.2 innings in any of his appearances with Arizona or Reno since the beginning of August, so he may not be asked to work especially deep into the contest. Even against a White Sox squad that ranks last in the majors with a 68 wRC+ in September, Jarvis doesn't make for an inspiring streaming option.

Nardi recorded his third save of the season in the second game of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Mets, walking one and striking out two in a scoreless ninth inning.

With Tanner Scott (paternity leave) unavailable, Nardi wound up getting the save chance as A.J. Puk, David Robertson and Matt Moore had already combined to throw 3.2 innings of scoreless relief in the nightcap. Nardi has been scored upon only once in his last 15 appearances, posting a 0.61 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 17:7 K:BB through 14.2 innings since Aug. 19 with two wins and eight holds, but the save was his first since June 18.

Vines was optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett on Thursday.

The move comes one day after Vines held the Cubs to two runs over six innings in a no-decision Wednesday. He's being sent out in favor of AJ Smith-Shawver, who is starting Thursday's contest. Vines has made a nice first impression in the big leagues in 2023, holding a 3.98 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 14:7 K:BB over 20.1 frames.

Ginkel was not used in the eighth inning of Wednesday's 3-0 win over the White Sox.

Ginkel has been the go-to reliever for the eighth inning of close games, but manager Torey Lovullo went with Ryan Thompson to shepherd the lead to closer Paul Sewald. The decision to not use Ginkel could be related to the reliever's most recent outing Monday, when he told the manager he was ready to pitch after throwing 28 pitches the previous day, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports. What ensued was a blown eighth-inning lead and a loss in the middle of a playoff chase. "I'll take accountability for it," Ginkel said. "I was wanting to pitch; there's no question about it. I wasn't feeling great, for sure. After [Sunday], I threw quite a few pitches, and then again [Monday]." Ginkel has been stellar over the second half -- that's why Lovullo entrusts him with the eighth inning -- and will likely continue to pitch in that role, but Thompson may have entered the picture as a trusted high-leverage arm.