MLB Player News

Kelly (forearm) threw about 20 pitches in a bullpen session Friday, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Kelly reportedly used his entire pitch mix in the session, which is a good indication that he is progressing well in his recovery from forearm inflammation. Per the Associated Press, the veteran reliever touched the mid-90s on his fastball, approaching the upper-90s velocity he's hovered around this season. Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic previously reported that Kelly could face hitters as soon as this coming Tuesday.

Smith gave up a hit and a walk in a scoreless ninth inning Friday to record his third save of the season in a 2-1 win over the Mariners. He struck out one.

Neither Adam Ottavino not Brooks Raley has seen a heavy workload this week and both hadn't pitched since Wednesday, so Smith's usage here is a signal that manager Buck Showalter could be thinking about making the right-hander part of the closing committee in September. It's curious timing, as Smith had served up homers in each of his prior two appearances and posted a 4.09 ERA in August, but the team might be focused more on his 15:4 K:BB through 11 innings on the month.

Hatch is listed as the Pirates' opening pitcher for Saturday's game against the Cardinals.

Hatch will be opener for the Pirates for the second time this season, after he previously tossed three scoreless innings in an Aug. 21 matchup with the Cardinals. Since that time, Hatch has made three relief appearances for the Pirates, the most recent of which was a one-inning outing Wednesday. He should be able to give the Pirates around 2-to-3 innings Saturday before likely giving way to Bailey Falter, whom Hatch opened for back on Aug. 21.

Scott (7-4) blew the save but picked up the win in Friday's 8-5 extra-innings victory over the Nationals, giving up two unearned runs on two hits over two frames. He struck out one.

The southpaw couldn't stop the phantom runner from scoring in both the 10th and 11th innings, but a four-run eruption by the Marlins in the top of the 11th gave Scott plenty of cushion. He still hasn't been tagged for an earned run since July 31, posting a 0.00 ERA, 0.77 WHIP and 14:2 K:BB through 13 innings over the last month, and at least for the moment, Scott appears to be the answer for Miami at closer.

Diaz (7-4) picked up the win in the second game of Friday's doubleheader against the Cubs, giving up a hit and striking out one in a scoreless ninth inning.

The Cincy closer got the call in the top of the ninth with his team down 2-1 at home, and he was rewarded with the win when the Reds staged a rally against his Chicago counterpart Adbert Alzolay. Diaz has collected four of his seven wins (plus two of his 35 saves) over his last seven appearances as Cincinnati tries to secure a playoff spot, a stretch in which he has a 0.00 ERA and 0.91 WHIP despite a 7:5 K:BB.

Alzolay (2-5) blew his third save of the season and took the loss in the second game of Friday's doubleheader against the Reds, giving up two runs on three hits in two-thirds of an inning. He struck out two.

The right-hander's rough outing was kicked off by a Nick Martini solo shot. Alzolay has blown his last two save chances, and since the beginning of August he has a 4.30 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 13:3 K:BB through 14.2 innings. The first-year closer likely isn't in any danger of losing his job just yet, but with the Cubs in a dogfight to secure a playoff spot, manager David Ross may not have the luxury of patience. Mark Leiter (2.08 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, 18:4 K:BB in 13 IP over the last month) or Julian Merryweather (1.80 ERA, 0.87 WHIP, 21:5 K:BB in 15 IP during that stretch) could get looks in the ninth if Alzolay continues to fade.

Thompson recorded his first save of the season in the first game of Friday's doubleheader against the Reds, giving up one run on two hits over two innings. He struck out two.

The right-hander was brought in to work the eighth inning with the Cubs protecting a 4-1 lead, and then stayed in the game after they tacked on two insurance runs in the top of the ninth. It's Thompson's second appearance since he rejoined the big-league bullpen in late August, and he's worked two innings in each with an impressive 7:0 K:BB. Friday's usage suggests he could be moving into a high-leverage role, but the 28-year-old is no threat to Adbert Alzolay's job as closer.

Jameson (elbow) is throwing out to 100 feet and could throw a bullpen session next week, MLB.com reports.

Jameson, who was diagnosed with a sprained UCL, has elected rehab over Tommy John surgery. Arizona manager Torey Lovullo has yet to rule out a return this season.

Romero (4-2) allowed three runs (two earned) on four hits and a walk while striking out two over 1.2 innings to take the loss Friday versus the Pirates.

Romero pitched around trouble in the ninth inning, but he wasn't so fortunate in the 10th. The Pirates were able to put up a three-run rally again him, and the Cardinals couldn't pull even in their half of the frame. With Ryan Helsley (forearm) back in action, it was a terrible time for Romero to have a poor outing. The lefty compiled a 2.51 ERA, 20:1 K:BB and 0.84 WHIP over 14.1 innings in August while part of a closer committee for the last-place Cardinals. He has a 3.68 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 42:10 K:BB through 36.2 innings while adding three saves, three holds and two blown saves. Despite the poor outing, Romero should continue to fill a high-leverage role for manager Oliver Marmol.

Yates walked one and struck out one in a scoreless inning to earn the save in Friday's 6-3 win over the Dodgers.

Raisel Iglesias had pitched three consecutive days entering Friday, allowing Yates a rare save chance. He got the job done on 21 pitches (14 strikes). Yates has three saves, eight holds and three blown saves with a 7-1 record, 2.73 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 69:34 K:BB through 52.2 innings this season in a high-leverage role.