MLB Player News

Lambert is scheduled to start Wednesday's game against the Nationals in Washington.

The Rockies have been short on reliable starting pitching nearly all season, so it comes as little surprise that Lambert will get another turn through the rotation after he dazzled in his return from Triple-A Albuquerque over the weekend. Prior to being recalled Friday, Lambert had worked in a multi-inning relief role with Colorado earlier in the season, but he looks like he'll get a chance to make regular starts with the big club now that he's had a chance to get fully stretched out in the minors. While facing off against Miami last weekend, Lambert held the Marlins scoreless over five innings while striking out three and allowing just four baserunners. The matchup with a Washington offense that has been a bottom-third unit in terms of wRC+ (95, 22nd in the majors) is a favorable one on paper for Lambert, though Nationals Park has historically skewed hitter-friendly.

Bird is scheduled to serve as the Rockies' starting pitcher Monday in Washington in what is expected to be a bullpen day, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

Bird tossed a 12-pitch inning Saturday and hasn't recorded more than six outs in any appearance since late April, so he's unlikely to work more than once through the Nationals batting order before bowing out of the contest. The Rockies haven't designated a primary pitcher to work behind Bird, but Triple-A Albuquerque starter Karl Kauffmann is on the taxi squad and could be activated ahead of Monday's contest to give Colorado some added length out of the bullpen.

Bautista pitched a scoreless ninth while allowing two hits and striking out the side to pick up another save Sunday against the Rays.

Bautista worked his way through some trouble after allowing two base hits to bring the winning run to the plate but was able to strike out Wander Franco to end the game. Bautista sits atop the American League with 28 saves and is just two behind league leader Camilo Doval. He's been as dominant as they come and now holds a sparkling 0.92 ERA, 0.86 WHIP and 96:19 K:BB in 49 innings.

Winckowski struck out two over a scoreless two-thirds of an inning and earned a hold in Sunday's 6-1 win over the Mets.

Winckowski was summoned with one out in the sixth inning at a high-leverage moment. The Mets had scored to make it a 5-1 ballgame and had two runners on with Pete Alonso up. The right-hander squelched the threat while showing improved velocity, which had dipped during June. Winckowski hit 97 and 98 mph and looked like the pitcher that was so vital to the Red Sox in the early months. He's tied for the league lead with 55.1 relief innings and maintains a 2.93 ERA.

Puk blew the save in Sunday's 3-2 win over the Rockies. He allowed one run on two hits and one walk while striking out two over two-thirds of an inning.

Puk surrendered a game-tying solo homer to Randal Grichuk in the ninth inning, marking Puk's fifth blown save of 2023 and his third in his last four opportunities. Though manager Skip Schumaker said Friday that Puk would remain the Marlins' closer for the time being. Sunday's blown save could be enough for Schumaker to try out other options at closer. If that were to be the case, Tanner Scott would likely be the first in line for save opportunities considering his recent success and overall 2.81 ERA through 48 innings.

Blach did not factor into the decision Sunday, allowing two hits over three scoreless innings in a 3-2 loss to Miami. He struck out two.

Blach made his first start of the campaign Sunday, serving as the opening arm for a bullpen game. Despite donning the opener tag, Blach went three innings and turned in his third consecutive scoreless outing (six innings). Though Blach has spent a significant portion of 2023 in the minors, he owns a 5.51 ERA and a 7:2 K:BB through eight appearances (16.1 innings) at the MLB level.

Kimbrel (6-1) blew the save but picked up the win Sunday against the Guardians. He allowed one run on two hits while striking out one over one inning.

KImbrel took the mound with a 4-3 advantage in the bottom of the ninth but was unable to secure his 17th save of the season after allowing a solo homer to David Fry. The outing marked Kimbrel's first blown save of the season, first run surrendered since June 8 (16 appearances) and first long ball allowed since May 31.

Curry did not factor into the decision Sunday, allowing one run on one hit and three walks over three innings against Philadelphia. He struck out three.

After tossing three scoreless innings in his first start of 2023 last week, Curry limited the Phillies to just one hit over three frames Sunday. Though the 24-year-old was a starter throughout his time in the minors and was only utilized as a starter last season with Cleveland, he's been pulled after 39 and 42 pitches in his last two outings. It's unclear if Curry will make another start, but his recent workload limitations significantly cap any fantasy potential.

Graveman allowed three runs on three hits and a walk in the ninth inning to blow a save against the Twins on Sunday.

Graveman entered trying to protect a three-run lead and was unable to do so. He began the inning with a walk before two doubles, a single and a sacrifice plated three runs for the Twins to send the game to extras. It was Graveman's fourth blown save of the year, and he's allowed 12 runs (10 earned) in 15.1 innings since June 11. Liam Hendriks (elbow) is progressing towards a return, but Graveman still appears to be the preferred closing option for the time being.

Ortega allowed four hits and no walks while striking out three over two scoreless innings Sunday against the White Sox.

After giving up two runs in his first outing of the season on June 27, Ortega has since allowed just two runs in 12 innings with a 11:2 K:BB. He's quickly become a much-needed option in middle relief for the Twins.