MLB Player News

Lauer allowed a run on four hits and two walks over six frames Sunday, striking out four in the win over the Rockies. He did not factor in the decision.

Drew Butera's third-inning sacrifice fly was the lone run to score on Lauer, lowering his ERA to 4.41 over 136.2 innings this season. While he didn't earn the win, the 24-year-old hasn't taken a loss since July 25. Lauer will face Colorado again -- this time at Coors Field -- on Friday.

Maeda (9-8) earned the win against San Francisco on Sunday, tossing four shutout innings and allowing one hit while striking out six.

Maeda took over for Julio Urias in the third inning and spun four innings of nearly hitless baseball, limiting the Giants to a sixth-inning single. The outing was Maeda's second since he was transitioned to the bullpen, and his usage in the two games -- eight total innings and 107 pitches -- suggests that the Dodgers are setting him up to function as a bulk reliever on a starter's schedule. This idea was echoed in a postgame interview aired on SportsNet LA with manager Dave Roberts, who indicated that Maeda would not pitch in the upcoming series against Baltimore in order to be ready for the following series against the Mets.

Houser allowed three runs on four hits and a walk over four innings Sunday, striking out six batters in the win over the Cubs. He did not factor in the decision.

Houser gave up all three runs during an ugly third inning. The 26-year-old had allowed exactly one earned run in each of his previous five outings and his ERA now sits at 3.59. Houser will take the mound in St. Louis on Friday.

Urias is moving back to the bullpen for now, Alanna Rizzo of Spectrum SportsNet LA reports.

He logged two scoreless innings Sunday against the Giants, giving up three hits while striking out four. However, he needed 43 pitches (29 strikes) to get through those two frames, and that lack of efficiency may be the reason the Dodgers would prefer to use him as a reliever. While he will be available as a reliever in the upcoming series in Baltimore, qhe could open for Kenta Maeda again next weekend against the Mets. Either way, it seems the Dodgers will continue to groom Urias for a 2-to-3-inning role for the postseason.

Velasquez gave up four runs on six hits and four walks while striking out five through 4.1 innings in a no-decision against the Mets on Sunday.

After Velasquez gave up three runs off two home runs in the first inning, he settled down but could just not get the walks under control. Velasquez continued his string of short starts, not making it more than six innings in any of his last six appearances. The 27-year-old has a 4.95 ERA with 113 strikeouts through 20 starts this season.

Syndergaard gave up four runs on six hits and one walk while striking out five through five innings in a no-decision against the Phillies on Sunday.

Syndergaard delivered three scoreless innings before allowing runs in each of his final three frames. Syndergaard was pulled after only 78 pitches, giving him only the second start in his last 10 where he didn't pitch at least six innings. The right-hander has a 4.06 ERA with 176 strikeouts through 28 starts this season. Syndergaard is scheduled to make his next start Friday against the Dodgers at Citi Field.

Manager Dave Roberts said Maeda would serve as the Dodgers' bulk reliever behind opener Julio Urias in Sunday's game against the Giants, J.P. Hoornstra of the Los Angeles Daily News reports.

Maeda transitioned to a relief role at the beginning of the week, giving up three runs but capturing his fourth career save while working the final four innings of the Sept. 2 win over the Rockies. Since he'll be available Sunday on five days' rest, Maeda should be able to work as long as needed in the series finale. Urias is only slated to work the first three innings, and Roberts noted that Maeda could "absolutely" finish out the final six frames, should the right-hander's performance warrant an extended appearance.

Manager Dave Roberts said he's expecting Urias to cover three innings in the lefty's start Sunday against the Giants, J.P. Hoornstra of the Los Angeles Daily News reports.

In his return from a 20-game suspension Sept. 3, Urias started and tossed three innings of one-run ball, but he didn't factor into the decision in the 5-3 win over the Rockies. The Dodgers apparently aren't keen on having Urias dramatically increase his pitch count in his eighth start of the season, likely as a means of limiting the strain on the 23-year-old's surgically repaired shoulder. Urias can likely still be counted on to deliver strong ratios whenever he pitches, but he may have a tough time capturing wins since he won't be asked to work deep into starts. Kenta Maeda is slated to enter the game behind Urias as a bulk reliever and may be a better candidate to factor into any decision.

Woodruff (oblique) tossed two simulated innings Sunday, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Sidelined since late July with the left oblique strain, Woodruff looks to be nearing the finish line in his recovery from the injury now that he's resumed mound work. Woodruff may not have time to head out on a proper minor-league rehab assignment before returning from the injured list, but the Brewers are still counting on him rejoining the roster in the back half of September. Milwaukee hasn't defined Woodruff's role once he returns, but even if he takes back a spot in the rotation, he would likely face a more limited pitch count in his starts than he had previously.

Webb, who was originally slated to pitch Tuesday against the Pirates, will have his start moved back with Johnny Cueto (elbow) returning from the injured list for that contest, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

The Giants did not announce when Webb's next start will take place, nor whether his next appearance would even come as a starter. The rookie has been inconsistent through four starts (6.50 ERA with a 9.0 K/9), but his fellow young, back-end starters Dereck Rodriguez (5.15 ERA over 87.1 innings) and Tyler Beede (5.33 ERA over 101.1 innings) haven't fared much better. Expect the club to make an official announcement on the rotation in the coming days.