MLB Player News

Graterol (elbow) will face hitters Monday and could be activated next week, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Graterol hit the injured list with right elbow inflammation at the start of September. He wasn't shut down from throwing for long, however, and while the Dodgers don't need to push anyone down the stretch, it look as though he'll return for roughly the final two weeks of the regular season.

Patino was scratched his scheduled start Saturday for Triple-A Durham due to right shoulder discomfort, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The 22-year-old righty has had a difficult season. He opened the year in the rotation but failed to complete a single inning before suffering an oblique strain which sidelined him until mid-July. Since his return, he's bounced between the majors and minors, posting a 7.91 ERA in six MLB starts and a 4.50 ERA in nine Triple-A outings. He's now at real risk of missing the remainder of the season unless his shoulder injury turns out to be very minor.

Rodriguez was called up by the Twins on Saturday, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

Rodriguez made a single four-inning appearance back in April, allowing three runs. His 5.02 ERA in 89.2 innings at the Triple-A level hardly inspires confidence, but he'll be called on nonetheless with Trevor Megill heading to the COVID-19 injured list.

Megill was placed on the the COVID-19 injured list Saturday, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

It's unclear whether Megill has tested positive for the virus himself or if he's merely on the injured list due to contact tracing, but he'll miss at least a few days and possibly more. Dereck Rodriguez was called up to take his place in the bullpen.

Alzolay (0-1) allowed two runs on two hits and a walk across two innings of relief to take the loss Saturday against the Rockies. He struck out five.

Alzolay had been out all season due to a lat strain, but he made his return Saturday in a relief appearance. The righty logged 41 pitches and impressed with the five strikeouts, though he also exhibited a little rust and allowed a couple of runs, which isn't surprising given the long layoff. It's been a lost year for Alzolay, but he figures to make a couple more relief appearances down the stretch before likely competing for a rotation spot in 2023 if he's fully healthy.

Jansen was unavailable Friday against the Phillies due to a sore right pinky finger but is available Saturday, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Atlanta didn't wind up with a save chance Friday, as a six-run eighth inning gave the team a 7-2 leading heading into the ninth inning. Raisel Iglesias handled that final frame, but Jansen should be available in the event of a save chance Saturday.

Hicks landed on the injured list Saturday due to fatigue and neck spasms, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Hicks has allowed three runs in 3.2 innings across his last three appearances, but it's unclear if those struggles are injury-related. He hasn't been good throughout the second half, pitching to a 6.46 ERA in 23.2 frames since the break, something which could perhaps be explained by fatigue. Steven Matz (knee) was activated off the injured list to take his place in the bullpen.

Jackson was recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City on Saturday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Jackson was sent down Wednesday but will quickly rejoin the major-league club after Tyler Anderson was placed on the paternity list. Jackson struck out two in two scoreless innings against the Padres on Sunday and should serve as a multi-inning option out of the Dodgers' bullpen now that he's back on the active roster.

Ortiz was optioned to Triple-A Sacramento on Saturday.

Ortiz joined the Giants' bullpen in early September and posted a 1.42 ERA and 0.79 WHIP in 6.1 innings over four relief appearances. He'll head back to the minors after Sean Hjelle was recalled Saturday.

Hjelle was recalled from Triple-A Sacramento on Saturday.

The 25-year-old spent just over a week in the minors but will rejoin the major-league club after Luis Ortiz was sent down Saturday. Hjelle will likely be available to serve as a bulk reliever behind opener John Brebbia during Saturday's matchup against the Dodgers.