MLB Player News

Alvarado picked up the save Thursday against the Mets. He allowed a hit while striking out two over a scoreless inning.

Alvarado worked around Brandon Nimmo's one-out double, logging a pair of strikeouts while improving to 9-for-11 in save chances. The 28-year-old lefty continues to see occasional save chances and has three in September, but Craig Kimbrel remains the primary closer in Philadelphia. Alvarado's ERA is down to 1.88 with a 1.25 WHIP and 59 strikeouts across 38.1 innings this season.

The Dodgers could deploy Yarbrough as a piggyback pitcher behind starter Emmet Sheehan in Thursday's game against the Giants, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

While manager Dave Roberts hasn't revealed how he plans to manage his pitching staff in the series opener, piggybacking the right-handed Sheehan with the left-handed Yarbrough would make sense. The Dodgers are cognizant of managing the rookie Sheehan's workload and haven't had him cover more than five innings in the majors or minors since July 29, so having him toss three or four frames before exiting the contest may be Roberts' preferred approach. Additionally, having Yarbrough enter the contest in the middle innings would help the Dodgers neutralize a Giants lineup that often contains four lefty bats in Michael Conforto, Joc Pederson, Mike Yastrzemski and LaMonte Wade. Yarbrough last pitched Sunday, but he should be capable of giving the Dodgers three or four innings on three days' rest, if necessary.

Lawrence allowed two hits and no walks while striking out one in two-thirds of a scoreless inning during Wednesday's loss to the Padres.

Lawrence exited Friday's appearance against the Giants due to an ankle injury, but he made two appearances during the team's series in San Diego this week. He tossed 1.2 scoreless innings during those outings but was charged with a blown save during Wednesday's appearance. Tyler Kinley picked up two saves over the past week but gave up two runs in two-thirds of an inning Tuesday against the Padres, so it's unclear which pitcher will be used in save situations over the final few games of the regular season.

The Giants recalled Beck from Triple-A Sacramento on Thursday.

Beck had been struggling badly in a swingman role just prior to his Sept. 4 demotion, but he holds a decent 4.04 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 62:20 K:BB in 75.2 overall major-league innings this year. The right-hander will return in long relief ahead of Thursday's series opener at Dodger Stadium.

The Giants optioned Hjelle to Triple-A Sacramento on Thursday.

Hjelle worked 1.1 scoreless innings of relief Wednesday against the Diamondbacks, but the 26-year-old right-hander carries a rough 8.10 ERA across 13 total major-league appearances this season. Tristan Beck will join San Francisco's bullpen in a corresponding roster move ahead of Thursday's series opener versus the Dodgers.

Brazoban (hamstring/hip) is beginning a rehab assignment Thursday with Triple-A Jacksonville, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Out since mid-August due to a left hamstring strain and left hip impingement, Brazoban might become an option again for the Marlins' bullpen leading into the final week of the regular season. He registered a 4.29 ERA and 60:31 K:BB across 56.2 innings prior to landing on the injured list.

Diaz (9-5) was tagged with the loss and a blown save against the Twins on Wednesday. He allowed three runs on two hits and one walk over one-third of an inning.

Diaz's line looks much worse than what actually transpired: a 34.6-mph infield single, a stolen base with a throwing error that moved the runner to the third, and a 70.4-mph soft liner to drive in a run. Following a walk, the closer was replaced by Sam Moll. After a double steal and intentional walk, Jorge Polanco singled in two runs, both charged to Diaz. This was just the young closer's third blown save in 40 opportunities and was the first time he's given up more than one earned run in an outing since Aug. 4.

Thompson (5-7) allowed four runs on five hits and a walk while striking out four over five innings to take the loss Wednesday versus the Brewers.

Thompson yielded a three-run home run to Josh Donaldson in the first inning and a solo shot to Tyrone Taylor in the fourth. This was the first time Thompson's allowed multiple homers in an outing this year, though he's now given up a season-high four runs in consecutive starts. The southpaw is at a 4.57 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 67:24 K:BB through 61 innings over 24 appearances (eight starts) overall. He's projected to make his next start on the road in a rematch with the Brewers.

Hader gave up a hit in a scoreless ninth inning Wednesday to record his 31st save of the season in a 3-2 win over the Rockies.

The southpaw failed to strike out any batters at all over three appearances and 2.1 innings against Colorado in this series, but he still came away with two saves and a win. Hader still hit 97.6 mph with his final pitch Wednesday as he got Brendan Rodgers to fly out, so those with fantasy shares in the San Diego closer would seem to have little cause for alarm. On the season, Hader carries a 1.21 ERA and 79:28 K:BB through 52 innings.

Major League Baseball suspended Mejia (shoulder) for 162 games Wednesday following a positive test for Stanozolol, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Mejia was caught using the very same anabolic steroid last season and received an 80-game ban. The 27-year-old right-hander owns a rough 8.32 ERA in 66 career major-league innings and won't be eligible to return to a big-league mound until the tail end of the 2024 campaign. He appeared in nine games for the Brewers this year before being shut down in mid-August due to shoulder inflammation.