MLB Player News

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told Dani Wexelman of MLB Network Radio on Friday that Almonte (knee) probably won't be ready to return until around the start of the NLCS.

That's assuming the Dodgers even get there, of course, and even then it might not be a given that he's added to the roster following a long layoff. Almonte will have missed more than two months of action by that point with a right knee sprain, although he did recently resume throwing off a mound.

The Phillies optioned Marte to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Friday.

Marte allowed two earned runs over 1.2 innings in his last appearance out of the Phillies' bullpen Tuesday at Atlanta. Orion Kerkering will fill the vacancy on the 28-man roster ahead of Friday's game against the Mets.

The Phillies selected Kerkering from Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Friday, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

Kerkering began the season with Single-A Clearwater, but he remained dominant as he advanced through the Phillies' farm system. The 22-year-old righty holds a 1.51 ERA and 0.89 WHIP alongside a 79:12 K:BB through 53.2 total innings in the minors, and he will likely serve in middle relief during his first trial run in the big leagues.

Brebbia (3-1) allowed one run on one hit and struck out one over two-thirds of an inning to take the loss Thursday versus the Dodgers.

Brebbia relieved starter Kyle Harrison with one out in the sixth inning. Will Smith tagged Brebbia for a triple and J.D. Martinez added a sacrifice fly to put the Dodgers ahead for good. Brebbia has allowed four runs (three earned) over 5.2 innings in September -- he's struggled since returning from a Grade 2 lat strain. The right-hander is at a 3.41 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 43:11 K:BB with six holds and a blown save over 34.1 innings this year.

Alzolay (forearm) will throw a touch-and-feel bullpen session Friday, Bruce Levine of 670TheScore.com reports.

While not a regular bullpen session, Alzolay getting on a mound in any fashion still looks to be a notable step forward. The Cubs' closer is working his way back from a right forearm strain and is still hopeful he can make it back before the end of the regular season. Alzolay is eligible for activation Sept. 26, although he could need a little more time than that even if all goes well.

Yarbrough is expected to serve as a bulk reliever in Friday's game versus the Giants, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Caleb Ferguson will be the Dodgers' opener. It's possible the team will use a right-hander in between Ferguson and Yarbrough in order to break up the lefties, but Yarbrough looks to be in line to eat up the bulk of the innings.

Ferguson will serve as an opener for the Dodgers in Friday's game versus the Giants, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Manager Dave Roberts also noted that Ryan Yarbrough will be part of the pitching plan, likely as a bulk reliever. It's the sixth opener assignment this season for Ferguson, who boasts a 2.56 ERA and 66:21 K:BB over 56.1 frames in 2023.

Vines was recalled from Triple-A Gwinnett on Friday.

Vines is replacing Max Fried (blister) on the roster and could get a start over the final week-plus, although the rookie right-hander is more likely to be used for length in the bullpen. Vines holds a 3.27 ERA and 8:2 K:BB over 11 innings in three appearances (one start) for Atlanta this season, and per Jonathan Mayo and Sam Dykstra of MLB.com, he'll head straight to the Arizona Fall League right after the end of Atlanta's regular season.

Chargois will serve as an opener for Friday's game against the Brewers, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Johnny Cueto was originally set to start, but the veteran righty would appear lined up for bulk relief duty instead as Miami opens up a huge series versus Milwaukee. It's the fourth opener assignment this season for Chargois, who holds a 3.46 ERA and 32:15 K:BB over 39 innings this season.

Rodriguez was outrighted to Triple-A Gwinnett on Thursday.

Rodriguez was designated for assignment Monday and went unclaimed on waivers. As a result, he'll remain in Atlanta's organization and likely finish out the minor-league season with Gwinnett.