MLB Player News

Vasquez covered 4.2 scoreless innings out of the bullpen in Thursday's 4-1 loss to the Giants, striking out a batter while allowing three hits and one walk.

Vasquez got the start in his previous appearance but worked in tandem with JP Sears, pitching the first 2.2 innings before the lefty came on to cover the next 3.1 frames. The two essentially swapped roles Thursday, with Sears starting and yielding three earned runs over 3.2 innings before Vasquez entered in the top of the fifth to mop up. Sears and Vasquez may end up piggybacking again the next time through the rotation Tuesday in Arizona, though the makeup of the San Diego pitching staff could change by Monday's trade deadline.

Marquez is likely to work multiple innings in relief behind opener Bradgley Rodriguez in Friday's game against the Giants, Sammy Levitt of 97.3 The Fan San Diego reports.

Rodriguez has covered exactly one inning in each of his previous three starts this season, so he'll likely be in line to work the opening frame again Friday before the Padres turn the game over to the bullpen. Marquez will be available on six days' rest and should be capable of providing some length after starting each of his last four appearances. He went 1-0 with a 3.77 ERA, 1.67 WHIP and 14:7 K:BB in 14.1 innings during that stretch.

Whisenhunt is slated to start Friday's game against the Padres in San Diego.

Whisenhunt will receive a second turn through the rotation after he took the loss last Sunday against the Angels, striking out seven and allowing four earned runs on five hits and two walks over five innings. With Trevor McDonald (elbow) and Hayden Birdsong (elbow) done for the season and Robbie Ray and Tyler Mahle both candidates to be dealt ahead of Monday's trade deadline, Whisenhunt should have a fairly clear path to sticking around in the rotation.

Sasaki (5-5) earned the win over Seattle on Thursday, allowing two runs on five hits and three walks while striking out seven batters over 5.1 innings.

Sasaki looked dominant for most of the outing, as he racked up 18 whiffs and kept the Mariners out of the scoring column through five frames. However, the right-hander ran out of steam in the sixth, when he allowed two runs on three hits and two walks while retiring just one batter. Fortunately for Sasaki and the Dodgers, Jack Dreyer came on in relief and closed the inning without allowing any additional damage. That kept Sasaki in line for the win, which was his second straight victory following an eight-outing winless stretch. It's been an up-and-down campaign for the Japanese hurler, but he's closed July on a high note, posting a 2.25 ERA with a 26:7 K:BB over 24 innings spanning his past four starts. He's lined up to make his next appearance on the road against the Cubs.

Sears (3-4) took the loss against San Francisco on Thursday, pitching 3.2 innings and allowing three runs on seven hits and one walk while striking out two batters.

Sears was back as a traditional starter after working in long relief his previous time out. He got off to a shaky beginning, giving up a run in each of his first two frames. Sears' final line could have been much worse -- he loaded the bases in the fourth before turning the ball over to the bullpen with two outs, and Wandy Peralta got out of the jam when a pitch that was initially called ball four was overturned to strike three upon review. Sears had been pitching well coming into Thursday, posting a 2.04 ERA with a 14:4 K:BB over 17.2 innings across his first four starts in July, so he'll likely remain in the rotation for the time being. He's slated to make his next start in Arizona.

Ray (10-6) earned the win over San Diego on Thursday, allowing one run on four hits and one walk while striking out six batters over six innings.

Ray delivered a first-pitch strike to 15 of the 22 batters he faced and notched 10 whiffs. He recorded a quality start on just 86 pitches and kept the ball in the park for a fourth straight start. Ray had a 3-6 record at the end of May, but since then he's reeled off seven consecutive wins, compiling an elite 1.65 ERA over 60 innings during that span. The veteran lefty is a prime candidate to be traded ahead of Monday's deadline, but if he remains with San Francisco, he's lined up to make his next start on the road against the Rangers.

McLean took a no-decision Thursday against the Marlins, allowing two runs on three hits and two walks in six innings. He struck out six.

McLean was sharp despite the start of Thursday's game being pushed back an hour due to inclement weather, though the long ball proved to be an issue -- both of his runs allowed were solo shots. The right-hander has been dealing on the mound of late, pitching at least six innings while yielding two runs or fewer in six consecutive starts and producing a 42:11 K:BB during that period. McLean is set to bring an impressive 3.29 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 148:45 K:BB over 125.2 innings into a favorable matchup against a struggling Guardians offense.

Perez took a no-decision Thursday against the Mets, allowing two runs (one earned) on six hits and two walks in 6.1 innings. He struck out six.

Perez showed no ill effects of Thursday's game being delayed an hour due to rain, as he held the Mets out of the hit column through 4.2 innings. A fielding error by Graham Pauley kept an earned run off the right-hander's line in the sixth inning, and Perez put a nice bow on a month of July that saw him post five consecutive quality starts. Perez will carry a strong 3.44 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 112:40 K:BB over 104.2 innings into his next scheduled outing in Atlanta.

Lowder took a no-decision Thursday against Pittsburgh, allowing two runs on five hits and no walks in six innings. He struck out five.

Lowder cruised through four shutout innings to begin the evening in what was ultimately one of his better showings of the campaign. The right-hander logged a quality start, just his fourth of the year and first since way back on April 20, while the five punchouts were his most in his past six appearances. He should get at least one more turn through the rotation next week against the Athletics due to Nick Lodolo's (finger) absence. Lowder holds a 5.42 ERA, 1.52 WHIP and 70:37 K:BB over 83 innings.

Irvin (2-5) took the loss Thursday against Atlanta, allowing five runs on three hits and two walks in five-plus innings. He struck out one.

Irvin cruised through three scoreless innings initially but slowed from there, and he eventually wasn't able to record an out in the sixth frame after issuing a pair of free passes. The right-hander missed over two months of action while working his way back from a right shoulder strain, so he likely had some rust to shake off in his first appearance at the major-league level since late May. Irvin is set to take a lackluster 5.56 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 59:24 K:BB over 56.2 innings into a tough road matchup against the division-rival Phillies his next time out.