MLB Player News

Kittredge fired two scoreless innings during which he allowed a hit and a walk in a win over Cleveland on Friday.

The first-time All-Star has mostly picked up right where he left off prior to the Midsummer Classic, as Kittredge has now fired four innings of one-run ball over his first three second-half appearances. The right-hander hasn't qualified for any decisions during that brief span, but with six victories and four holds on the season, he's proven an asset to fantasy managers.

Howard will remain in the rotation to start Monday against the Nationals, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

Howard has spent time in the rotation, bullpen and minors this season but is needed as a starter for now with Zach Eflin (knee) on the injured list. Eflin's injury isn't considered a long-term concern, but another strong showing from Howard could in theory give him the chance to stick around in favor of Vince Velasquez (5.00 ERA) or Matt Moore (5.79 ERA). The Phillies may not consider the young righty to be stretched out enough to stick as a starter, however, as he's only reached five innings once at any level this season and threw just three innings in his most recent start Wednesday against the Yankees.

Pomeranz earned a hold in Friday's contest against Miami, pitching a scoreless inning during which he gave up on one walk and struck out one batter.

Pomeranz came on to protect a three-run lead in the eighth inning. Though he walked the first batter he faced, the lefty reliever subsequently induced a double play before striking out Adam Duvall to end the frame. Since returning from the injured list last weekend, Pomeranz has given up one earned run and notched a 3:1 K:BB while collecting two holds over three one-inning outings.

Graterol earned a hold Friday against Colorado despite allowing two runs on two hits over two-thirds of an inning.

After being brought up from Triple-A Oklahoma City earlier in the day, Graterol was asked to protect a two-run eighth-inning lead. He allowed a single and a double for one run, then watched from the dugout as Darien Nunez took over on the mound and allowed the game-tying single. The appearance was Graterol's first for the Dodgers since July 3, and he has struggled to build upon his promising 2020 campaign, registering a 9.64 ERA across six big-league appearances and a 6.62 ERA across 18 minor-league outings this season.

Sewald (6-2) tossed 1.1 scoreless innings en route to his sixth win of the year Friday against the Athletics. He did not allow a hit but walked a batter and struck out three.

Sewald came in to finish off the seventh inning in place of Erik Swanson. He started off by walking Mark Canha but retired the next four batters he faced. The Mariners would regain the lead in the bottom of the seventh, giving Sewald his sixth win of the year and his first since June 26. The 31-year-old has been reliable for the most part with a 2.45 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 51:12 K:BB over 29.1 innings.

Graveman pitched a scoreless ninth to pick up his 10th save of the year Friday against the Athletics. He did not allow a hit but walked a batter and struck out two in the process.

Graveman issued a walk to Matt Chapman in the inning but closed the door with back-to-back strikeouts to end the game. He went over two weeks without a save in July, but Graveman has now picked up two of them in a span of four days. He continues to be rock solid with a 0.87 ERA, 0.71 WHIP and 31:7 K:BB over 31 innings.

Diekman (2-2) allowed a run on one hit and one walk while striking out two over an inning as he was handed the loss against the Mariners on Friday.

Diekman pitched the seventh inning for the A's and could not preserve a 3-3 tie. He allowed the go-ahead run to reach on an infield single and would end up giving the Mariners the lead on his second wild pitch of the frame. The left-hander took the loss and now owns a 3.35 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 51:22 BB:K over 37.2 innings.

Hoffman will shift to a bullpen role going forward, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Hoffman returned from a shoulder injury to start Wednesday's game against the Mets, but he gave up five runs on seven hits and three walks in four innings. The right-hander struggled with command during his start and only threw 44 of his 82 pitches for strikes. Vladimir Gutierrez will take his place in the rotation starting Tuesday against the Cubs.

Gilbreath struck out a batter in a perfect 10th inning Friday to record the save against the Dodgers.

Gilbreath earned the first save of his young career after Daniel Bard blew the save chance in the ninth. The 25-year-old had a quick 1-2-3 outing and struck out Zach McKinstry in the process. He now owns a 6.62 ERA, 1.64 WHIP and 18:11 K:BB over 17.2 innings and likely won't be considered for many saves in the future with such poor numbers.

Bard (5-5) blew a save chance Friday but ended up earning the win after allowing a run on two hits and two walks while striking out three over an inning against the Dodgers.

Bard entered in the ninth trying to protect a one-run lead. He allowed two singles and a walk to load the bases before walking Justin Turner to knot the game up. The right-hander would then go on to strike out the next three batters to get out of the jam and extend the game. The Rockies went on to score three runs in the 10th, giving Bard his fifth win of the year. The 36-year-old owns a 3.98 ERA, 1.55 WHIP, 53:20 K:BB and has 15 saves over 40.2 innings this year.