MLB Player News

Luzardo (7-4) earned the win over Kansas City on Saturday, allowing one run on four hits and no walks while striking out nine batters over six innings.

Luzardo overwhelmed KC batters with 19 whiffs en route to nine punchouts. The left-hander recorded his third quality start over his past four outings and kept the ball in the park for the third consecutive appearance. Luzardo has surrendered five or more earned runs five times this season, but in his other 13 starts he's given up two or fewer earned runs. Collectively, that's added up to a 3.75 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 125:33 K:BB over 103.1 innings.

Woodruff was removed in the fourth inning of Saturday's start against the Diamondbacks due to an apparent injury, Jack Sommers of SI.com reports.

Woodruff's velocity was noticeably down prior to his exit, with his fastball sitting around 87 mph and his changeup at 73 mph in the fourth inning, per Sophia Minnaert of Brewers.tv. Woodruff left the mound with a trainer, and he'll finish his night having allowed three runs on two hits and one walk while striking out six across 3.2 innings. A recurrence of the shoulder issues that have bothered Woodruff all season is a likely explanation, but an official update on his status should be provided in the near future.

Fitzpatrick (elbow) underwent Tommy John surgery over the past week, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Fitzpatrick was diagnosed with a left UCL strain in early June, necessitating this week's surgery. He'll now be sidelined for the remainder of the current campaign and much of 2027, though he could return in the second half of next season if his recovery and rehab goes well.

Henderson (back) will be activated from the IL to make his next start for the Brewers, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Henderson last pitched for Milwaukee on May 22 and subsequently landed on the IL due to a back strain. He's since made two minor-league rehab starts, tossing a combined 6.2 innings, during which he's allowed two runs while posting an 11:2 K:BB. Henderson is now slated to return to the Brewers' rotation, and his return start is likely to come next week during Milwaukee's series against St. Louis.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Saturday that Ohtani (bicep) is feeling "considerably better" and could be back in the lineup Sunday, and Roberts didn't rule Ohtani out of being available off the bench Saturday, Jack Harris of the California Post reports.

Ohtani isn't in the lineup Saturday after reporting some discomfort in his right bicep Friday. However, there hasn't been any indication that the injury is serious, and Roberts' words Saturday further suggest that it's just a minor issue. Andy Pages is getting a turn at DH with Ohtani sidelined Saturday.

Milwaukee recalled Yoho from Triple-A Nashville on Saturday.

Yoho had been sent down to Nashville on June 25, but he'll now be back with the Brewers to take the bullpen spot of Joel Kuhnel, who was placed on the 15-day IL due to a shoulder injury. Yoho compiled a 6.00 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 8:3 K:BB across six frames in his previous five appearances for Milwaukee this season, and he'll likely take on a low-leverage relief role while he's up in the majors.

The Brewers placed Kuhnel on the 15-day injured list Saturday, retroactive to July 3, due to a right shoulder injury.

Kuhnel has been struggling of late, giving up five runs (four earned) over three innings across his past three appearances. It's not clear if the shoulder issue impacted his performance, but he's now going to be out through at least the All-Star break. The Brewers recalled Craig Yoho from Triple-A Nashville in a corresponding move to fill Kuhnel's spot in the bullpen.

The Dodgers optioned Robinson to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Saturday.

Robinson had been working as Los Angeles' No. 2 catcher since Will Smith (neck) landed on the IL in mid-June, but he's struggled as a hitter, going just 2-for-23 with no extra-base hits over eight contests. As such, Robinson will head back to Triple-A, and Eliezer Alfonzo will get his first taste of the majors.

The Dodgers selected Alfonzo's contract from Triple-A Oklahoma City on Saturday.

Alfonzo has thrived with OKC this season, slashing .313/.392/.422 with one home run, 16 RBI and a 22:17 BB:K over 49 games. He's thus getting his first look in the majors, and he's expected to serve as the backup behind the plate to Dalton Rushing while Will Smith (neck) remains on the IL. Chuckie Robinson, who had been working as the backup catcher, was optioned to Triple-A in a corresponding move.

Littell didn't factor into the decision Saturday as the Nationals fell 7-1 to the Pirates, allowing one run on four hits and a walk over six relief innings. He struck out three.

The veteran righty put together an impressive performance as the bulk reliever, tossing 57 of 87 pitches for strikes in the equivalent of a quality start, but opener Carson Palmquist had coughed up four runs before Littell even set foot on the mound. Littell has given up two or fewer runs in three straight outings to lower his ERA on the season to 5.02, and he's set to get his next turn through the rotation at home next weekend against the Yankees.