MLB Player News

Vesia picked up the save over the Brewers on Saturday, pitching a perfect ninth inning while striking out one.

Vesia entered the contest with a two-run lead and went 1-2-3 through the back end of Milwaukee's lineup to earn his fifth save of the campaign. It was the lefty's first save opportunity since blowing one against the Giants on June 29, and he's now recorded a strikeout in each of his last three appearances. Vesia also hasn't allowed a hit in either of his last two outings. Primary closer Evan Phillips was deployed to face the heart of the Brewers order in the eighth inning Saturday and remains in line to receive the bulk of the save chances for Los Angeles.

Lodolo (finger) threw a bullpen session Saturday, MLB.com reports.

The throwing session was Lodolo's second in four days, as he had previously tossed 20 pitches to hitters in live batting practice Wednesday. Given that he's been on the injured list only since June 25 with a left finger blister, Lodolo will likely be able to bypass a minor-league rehab assignment, though it's not immediately clear if he'll be activated from the IL during the final week before the All-Star break. The Reds have already announced their starters through Wednesday, so Thursday's series finale versus the Rockies would likely be the earliest date that Lodolo might be activated.

Steer went 1-for-3 with a home run and an additional run in Saturday's 5-3 loss to the Tigers.

Steer homered for a third straight game when he launched a solo home run in the bottom of the ninth inning. He's up to 13 home runs and a team-high 57 RBI.

Paxton did not factor into the decision in a win over Milwaukee on Saturday, allowing two runs on four hits and two walks over five innings while striking out three.

Paxton allowed one run to come across in the opening frame before surrendering just three hits and a walk from that point on. However, one of those hits was a solo home run off the bat of Rhys Hoskins, marking the second start in a row in which the lefty's given up the long ball and third time in his last three outings. Paxton threw only 10 of his 21 first pitches for strikes on the night and walked multiple batters for the third straight start. He'll look to pick up the first win since June 17 (span of three starts) when the Dodgers travel to Detroit next week to take on the Tigers.

Feltner is no longer scheduled to pitch Sunday against the Royals at Coors Field and is expected to make his next start during the Rockies' upcoming four-game series in Cincinnati, Luke Zahlmann of The Denver Gazette reports.

Tanner Gordon will be called up from Triple-A Albuquerque to start Sunday's game, while Feltner will presumably be pushed back just one day in the pitching schedule to start Monday's series opener in Cincinnati. According to Skyler Timmins of PurpleRow.com, manager Bud Black said the decision to push back Feltner in the pitching schedule was in part due to his stronger numbers on the road (4.65 ERA in 50.1 innings) compared to at Coors Field (6.75 ERA in 41.1 innings) in addition to the fact that the Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio native will have family and friends in attendance for the Cincinnati series. Assuming Feltner takes the hill Monday or Tuesday against the Reds, he'll tentatively line up for a two-start week, with his second turn set to come next weekend in New York against the Mets.

Gordon will be called up from Triple-A Albuquerque to start Sunday's game against the Royals at Coors Field, Luke Zahlmann of The Denver Gazette reports.

Ryan Feltner had previously been confirmed as the Rockies' starter for Sunday's series finale, but he'll end up getting pushed back to Monday in Cincinnati, where he's expected to have several family and friends on hand to watch him pitch. The change in the pitching schedule thus opens up a temporary spot in the rotation for Gordon, who will be making his MLB debut Sunday. The 26-year-old rigthy has made seven starts this season with Albuquerque, accruing a 5.35 ERA, 1.48 WHIP and 27:8 K:BB in 33.2 innings. His underwhelming numbers at the Triple-A level in addition to having to pitch in a hitter-friendly environment in Coors Field in his MLB debut makes Gordon an unappealing streaming option for Sunday.

Cruz (3-6) picked up Saturday's loss, allowing three runs on two hits and one walk over one-third of an inning against Detroit. He was also charged with a blown save.

Cruz was part of a bullpen effort that spoiled starter Hunter Greene's seven shutout innings. The usually reliable Cruz retired the first batter he faced before permitting a double, a home run and a walk, and the recipient of the free pass came around to score after Cruz was removed. The reliever had allowed just five runs over his last 18 innings coming into Saturday.

Peralta did not factor into the decision in a loss to the Dodgers on Saturday, allowing three runs on four hits and three walks over four innings while striking out four.

All three runs against Peralta came in the opening frame when he surrendered a two-run shot to Will Smith and failed to retire any of the first four batters he faced. The right-hander held the Dodgers scoreless over the next three innings but did not return for the fifth after reaching 104 pitches. Peralta had gone at least five innings four straight outings coming in, though he's now issued multiple walks in each of his last four. On the bright side, he also induced 21 whiffs on the night despite posting just four strikeouts.

McLain (shoulder) was cleared Friday to begin baseball activities, MLB.com reports.

Cincinnati manager David Bell said McLain met some strength markers and can now begin a progression. The Reds are putting together a regimen of activities, and McLain could perform those activities in Arizona or with the team.

Walker went 2-for-5 with two RBI and a run scored in Saturday's 7-5 extra-inning win over the Padres.

Walker provided the game-winning knock with a two-run single in the top of the 10th inning. The scorching hot Walker is 15-for-30 with five home runs over the last seven contests and has knocked in 13 runners over the last six. The surge leaves him with 22 home runs (tied for sixth in MLB) and 64 RBI (seventh in the league).