MLB Player News

Gusto surrendered three hits and issued one walk while striking out four batters over 3.1 scoreless innings in a no-decision against St. Louis on Saturday.

Gusto continues to be held to a throttled workload -- over five starts, he's yet to complete more than 4.2 innings and has gone beyond 70 pitches just once. Though the right-hander was limited to 63 pitches Saturday, he pitched quite well, throwing 41 of those offerings for strikes and limiting the Cardinals to three singles, a hit-by-pitch and a walk. Gusto was rocked for five runs over 4.2 frames against Philadelphia on June 15, but he's rebounded nicely by giving up just one run across 7.2 innings while registering a 10:3 K:BB over his subsequent two starts. That should earn him continued turns in the rotation -- at least until Janson Junk (shin) is ready to return -- but Gusto's fantasy value will be limited until he's able to start pitching deeper into games.

Karros went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run Saturday against the Twins.

Karros had been out of the lineup against three of the last four righties Colorado faced, but he rejoined the lineup Saturday and hit eighth. He delivered on the opportunity by slugging a two-run homer in the eighth frame, his fifth of the season. Karros now has two long balls in his last six starts, though it's unclear whether that will be enough to help him regain playing time.

Sheets went 3-for-4 with a solo home run and a second RBI in Saturday's 15-3 loss to the Dodgers.

Sheets was the most productive Padre in this lopsided loss. This was his first multi-hit effort since his two-hit game versus the Rangers on June 19 -- he had gone 2-for-14 over the six games he played in between. The 30-year-old is now batting .234 with a .776 OPS, 13 homers, 35 RBI, 31 runs scored, 13 doubles and four stolen bases over 75 contests. Sheets got the start at first base for Ty France (wrist), but France's injury isn't expected to be a long-term concern. That will leave Sheets to mix in occasionally at first while getting most of his playing time between left field and designated hitter.

Triolo went 3-for-4 with a double, two runs scored and an RBI in Saturday's 9-7 loss to the Reds.

Triolo was involved in several rallies Saturday and tallied his second three-hit game of the season. He had been serving as Pittsburgh's primary shortstop while Konnor Griffin was on the shelf for nearly a month, but with Griffin returning to action Friday, Triolo is expected to shift back to a utility infield role and see a steady drop in playing time.

Vasquez (6-6) allowed seven runs (five earned) on eight hits and a walk while striking out one over 3.1 innings to take the loss Saturday versus the Dodgers.

Kyle Hart allowed one run over two innings as the opener. For a while, the plan to have Vasquez work in bulk relief was on track, but the Dodgers' bats came alive in the sixth inning, highlighted by back-to-back home runs from Kyle Tucker and Dalton Rushing to spark the rally. Vasquez has had a poor June, allowing 22 runs (19 earned) over 20.2 innings across five appearances. He's now at a 4.56 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 60:26 K:BB through 81 innings over 16 outings (15 starts) this season. He's projected to make his next appearance in a rematch with the Dodgers in Los Angeles, so it may be best to avoid Vasquez for that outing.

Freeman went 3-for-5 with a double, one RBI and two runs scored in Saturday's 15-3 win over the Padres.

Freeman has logged multiple hits in four straight games and has hit safely in six consecutive contests. The first baseman has been as steady as ever in June, going 31-for-92 (.337) over 24 contests this month while adding five home runs, six doubles and 15 RBI. For the season, he's hitting .291 with an .877 OPS, 13 homers, 44 RBI, 47 runs scored, 21 doubles, one triple and two stolen bases through 80 games.

Valdez went 1-for-1 with a solo home run Saturday against the Reds.

Valdez was out of the lineup after starting Pittsburgh's last two contests, but he still managed to impact the game off the bench. He entered Saturday's contest as a pinch hitter in the eighth inning and blasted a go-ahead solo home run, his second straight appearance going yard. Valdez still has a very inconsistent role in the Pittsburgh offense, but his recent performance at the plate could start to earn him playing time over Tyler Callihan.

Rushing went 1-for-4 with a solo home run and a walk in Saturday's 15-3 win over the Padres.

Rushing entered the contest having gone 0-for-12 over his previous five games. He started off quiet Saturday, but he then went back-to-back with Kyle Tucker during the Dodgers' sixth-inning rally. The homer was Rushing's first since June 7 versus the Angels. The catcher is batting .240 with an .800 OPS, nine homers, 23 RBI, 22 runs scored, seven doubles and no stolen bases over 49 contests this season.

Betts went 1-for-5 with a three-run home run in Saturday's 15-3 win over the Padres.

Betts has homered in three straight contests, giving him 11 long balls on the year. His blast Saturday capped a nine-run sixth inning for the Dodgers to put them in full control in this blowout win. Betts is now batting .230 with a .732 OPS, 25 RBI, 30 runs scored, one stolen base and seven doubles over 209 plate appearances on the year, but he has trended up by hitting .358 (19-for-53) with five homers over his last 13 games.

Herget notched a save against the Twins on Saturday by retiring both batters he faced in the ninth inning.

Colorado took an 8-2 lead into the ninth frame and initially handed the ball to Zach Agnos. However, Agnos got only one out while allowing three runs to score, turning what was looking like a blowout into a close game. Rockies manager Warren Schaeffer consequently turned to Herget, who put out the flames with a pair of flyouts. Herget has recorded a save in two of his past three appearances and hasn't allowed an earned run in any of his past six outings. That puts him firmly in the conversation for Colorado's primary closer role, especially since Antonio Senzatela has gone 0-for-4 in save chances while posting a 5.56 ERA and 1.85 WHIP over his past nine appearances.