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Marcus Stroman SP | NYY
Cubs' Marcus Stroman: Short outing in return to rotation
Stroman did not factor into the decision Saturday, allowing three runs on five hits and one walk over three innings against Colorado. He struck out two.
Stroman wasn't particularly sharp in his first start -- his first two appearances came out of the bullpen -- since landing on the injured list Aug. 2, needing 64 pitches (39 strikes) to make it through three frames. In the first half of the season, he posted a 2.96 ERA and 1.11 WHIP across 112.2 innings, earning Stroman an All-Star nod for the second time in his nine-year MLB career. However, the second half hasn't been so kind to the veteran righty, as he endured a six-week stay on the injured list and has posted a 9.41 ERA with a 1.95 WHIP across 22 innings since the All-Star break. He lines up for his final start of the regular season Thursday in Atlanta.
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Michael Grove RP | TB
Dodgers' Michael Grove: Returns from IL
The Dodgers reinstated Grove (lat) from the 15-day injured list Saturday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.
The 26-year-old has been on the shelf since early August due to tightness in his right lat, and his return will force Gavin Stone off the major-league roster. Grove has pitched to a 6.61 ERA through 64 innings on the year, but manager Dave Roberts said the right-hander would be given "every opportunity" to compete for a spot on the Dodgers' playoff roster.
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Gavin Stone SP | LAD
Dodgers' Gavin Stone: Optioned to Triple-A
The Dodgers optioned Stone to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Saturday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.
Stone gave up 10 runs over 13 innings across three appearances during his latest stint in the majors, and he will now return to the minors amid his struggles. Michael Grove (lat) will return from the injured list to replace Stone on the active roster.
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Eury Perez SP | MIA
Marlins' Eury Perez: Out for regular season
The Marlins placed Perez on the 15-day injured list Saturday with left SI joint inflammation, Daniel Alvarez-Montes of ElExtraBase.com reports.
With just over a week left in the regular season, Perez's move to the IL will put an early end to his rookie campaign. The 20-year-old righty will end with a 3.15 ERA and 1.13 WHIP alongside a 108:31 K:BB through 91.1 innings. If the Marlins are able to secure a playoff berth, Perez will be eligible to return prior to the start of the NLDS. Jeff Lindgren was recalled from Triple-A Jacksonville in a corresponding move.
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Joe Musgrove SP | SD
Padres' Joe Musgrove: Resumes throwing
Musgrove (shoulder) restarted a throwing program Friday and will pace himself moving forward according to the Padres' chances of making the postseason, Annie Heilbrunn of The San Diego Union-Tribube reports.
Musgrove was eased off his throwing program in mid-September with San Diego apparently out of playoff contention, though the hurler clarified Friday that he was always going to resume throwing Sept. 23. However, the plan moving forward may have changed a bit with the Padres reeling off eight straight wins and getting to within four games of the final NL wild-card spot. They still have a pretty daunting task in trying to make up that ground with just over a week left in the regular season, but it appears Musgrove may ramp back up more quickly than expected if the team is able to cut further into the deficit. Heilbrunn reports that should the pieces fall into place and the Padres were to qualify for the playoffs, Musgrove would look to contribute out of the bullpen.
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Zach Davies SP | WAS
Diamondbacks' Zach Davies: Start rained out
Davies' scheduled start Saturday against the Yankees has been postponed due to rain.
The game will be moved to Monday, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports, pushing the start of next week's series against the White Sox from Monday to Tuesday. The Diamondbacks have yet to announce their updated rotation plans.
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Johnny Cueto SP | LAA
Marlins' Johnny Cueto: Works out of bullpen again
Cueto made a one-inning appearance in relief in Friday's 16-1 loss to the Brewers, retiring the side on six pitches.
After failing to deliver a quality start while logging a 6.69 ERA and 1.40 WHIP over a stretch of seven outings, Cueto appears to have been moved to the bullpen. He's made both of his two appearances this week as a reliever, with Friday's cameo coming after he gave up two earned runs over two innings while mopping up in Wednesday's 8-3 loss to the Mets. Edward Cabrera appears poised to stick around as Miami's No. 5 starter while Cueto has been relegated to a relief role.
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Brandon Pfaadt SP | ARI
Diamondbacks' Brandon Pfaadt: Hit hard in loss to Yankees
Pfaadt (2-9) took the loss Friday, coughing up six runs (five earned) on eight hits over 4.1 innings as the Diamondbacks were downed 7-1 by the Yankees. He struck out eight without walking a batter.
The rookie right-hander tied his career high in strikeouts, firing 58 of 81 pitches for strikes, but once again Pfaadt got lit up -- six of the eight hits off him went for extra bases, including two of Aaron Judge's three homers on the night. Pfaadt has served up 22 home runs through his first 90.1 big-league innings, leading to a 6.08 ERA, and until the 24-year-old learns to keep the ball in the park consistently, he'll be a risky fantasy option despite his strikeout upside. He figures to take the mound one more time before the regular season ends, on the road next week against the White Sox.
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Slade Cecconi SP | CLE
Diamondbacks' Slade Cecconi: Needed for bulk relief
Cecconi allowed one run on three hits and struck out two over 2.2 innings in Friday's 7-1 loss to the Yankees.
Starter Brandon Pfaadt lasted 13 outs and 81 pitches, so Arizona needed bulk relief from Cecconi, who was called up after Miguel Castro was placed on the paternity list. Both Cecconi and Pfaadt had one thing in common; each pitcher was taken deep by Aaron Judge. Pfaadt was tagged twice. Cecconi will pitch out of the bullpen and gives the Diamondbacks length. In a mixed role at the major-league level, the right-hander has a 4.33 ERA and 1.15 WHIP over 27 innings.
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Luis Ortiz SP | CLE
Pirates' Luis Ortiz: Pitches in bulk relief
Oritz allowed three earned runs on four hits and two walks while striking out five across 3.2 innings Friday against the Reds. He didn't factor into the decision in the Pirates' 7-5 win.
After serving as a traditional starter for his last three turns through the rotation, Ortiz worked in bulk relief Friday. The results weren't impressive after he entered the game in the second inning, and he also worked inefficiently, needing 81 pitches to get 11 outs. Since rejoining the big-league club Aug 23., Ortiz has a 5.14 ERA and 1.171 WHIP with only a 21:20 K:BB across 28 frames. He'll likely make one more appearance prior to the close of the regular season, though his exact role remains unclear.