MLB Player News

Stripling will start Game 2 of Saturday's doubleheader against the Orioles.

This will be Stripling's first big-league appearance since Aug. 10, as he missed a month with an oblique injury. He logged 1.1 innings in a rehab appearance earlier this week, so he may not be able to pitch enough innings to qualify for the win in Saturday's nightcap.

Kremer was recalled to start Game 1 of Saturday's doubleheader against the Blue Jays, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

He is up as the 29th man, so this may just be a spot start. Kremer hasn't pitched in the majors since June 24 in Toronto, where he allowed six runs and walked five batters in one-third of an inning. Since then, he has logged a 5.64 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and 46 strikeouts in 44.2 innings at Triple-A.

Dunning allowed one hit and struck out one over a scoreless relief inning in Friday's 10-5 loss to Oakland.

Dunning was reinstated from the COVID-19 injured list Friday and, as manager Chris Woodward told Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News, the plan was to have him throw an inning of relief Friday. Dunning, who should get another three or four starts before the end of the season, will gradually build up to throw 80 or 90 pitches. That aligns with the organization's season-long plan for Dunning, who has been kept on a pitch limit. The right-hander entered 2021 having thrown just 34 innings since 2018.

Greinke (COVID-19 protocols) completed a bullpen session Friday without incident and could return during next week's series against the Rangers, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports. He did not speak with reporters following the session but will do so Saturday.

The series against the Rangers is a four-game set that begins Monday. Houston manager Dusty Baker said Greinke is "not too far off" following a 10-day absence, adding that the right-hander "knows how to stay ready."

Kelly (illness) threw four innings and 66 pitches in a rehab start with the Diamondbacks' rookie-level Arizona Complex League affiliate Thursday, MLB.com reports.

Kelly has now had three separate outings since coming out of isolation due to COVID-19 protocols. Before Thursday's rehab start, Kelly completed a 23-pitch bullpen session and a 51-pitch start in an intrasquad game. Arizona manager Torey Lovullo hasn't ruled out Kelly's next start coming in the majors; the right-hander would presumably slot into the Diamondbacks' rotation as soon as Tuesday in Los Angeles versus the Dodgers.

Blackburn pitched 2.2 innings against Texas on Friday, allowing four runs on six hits and one walk while striking out three. He did not factor in the decision.

Oakland handed the right-hander a 6-1 lead after two innings, but Blackburn was unable to convert the offensive outburst into his first win since 2018. He was pulled after allowing the Rangers to get right back into the game with three runs in the third, giving up four hits in the frame. Blackburn enjoyed a strong three-start run in August during which he posted a 2.81 ERA, but he has since faltered, giving up eight runs over his past 6.1 innings. If he remains in the rotation, he'll likely face Kansas City on the road next week.

Mahle allowed two runs on four hits and two walks while striking out six over six innings against St. Louis on Friday. He did not factor in the decision.

Mahle's performance was a tangible improvement over his last start, when he gave up four runs in five innings against Detroit. However, the right-hander picked up a win in that contest while walking away with a no-decision Friday. The two runs against him came as the result of a Yadier Molina long ball in the fourth inning, which was the only extra-base hit Mahle yielded in the outing. He has been a solid performer throughout the campaign, posting a 3.73 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, 188:56 K:BB and 11-5 record through 159.1 innings. Mahle's next start is likely to be a favorable matchup at Pittsburgh next week.

Rodon (12-5) allowed one run on three hits over five innings Friday, striking out seven and earning a win over Boston.

Rodon made his first appearance since Sept. 1 after nursing a slight shoulder injury. He threw 62 of 86 pitches for strikes and the only blemish on his outing was a solo homer by Bobby Dalbec in the fifth inning. Over his last four starts, the 28-year-old southpaw has given up just four runs over 20 innings (1.80 ERA) with a 26:4 K:BB. Rodon will carry a 2.38 ERA into his projected start against the Angels at home next week.

Falter (2-1) took the loss Friday versus Colorado, allowing three runs on two hits and two walks while recording just one out via strikeout.

After a perfect inning from opening pitcher Sam Coonrod, Falter was unable to keep things in order on the mound. He threw just 16 of 30 pitches for strikes in a brutal appearance. Falter has a 5.86 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 33:4 K:BB across 27.2 innings in 17 games this year. He's added three holds, but with poor ratios, he's best suited to low-leverage work for now.

Houck (0-4) allowed four runs (three earned) on four hits and three walks over 3.2 innings Friday, striking out one batter and taking a loss against the White Sox.

Most of the damage against Houck came in the third inning when he served up a three-run blast to Jose Abreu. He then allowed an RBI single to Luis Robert in the fourth before exiting the contest. The right-handed rookie had allowed three or fewer runs in each of his previous four outings and watched his season ERA climb to 3.54 after Friday's start. Houck is lined up to start in Seattle next week.