MLB Player News

Kepler started in left field and went 0-for-3 in Saturday's 4-2 loss to Tampa Bay.

Kepler, who was in left field for a second consecutive day since being reinstated from an 80-game suspension, is still looking for his first hit in an Arizona uniform. The left-handed batter may be the preferred option in left field against right-handers. The Diamondbacks finish out the series with the Rays on Sunday, when they are scheduled to face Tampa Bay right-hander Drew Rasmussen. The right-handed hitting Lourdes Gurriel, who is also in the left field mix, was given Saturday off after serving as the designated hitter Thursday and Friday.

Sanoja went 3-for-4 with a run, an RBI and two stolen bases in a 5-1 win over the Cardinals on Saturday.

Sanoja took advantage of just his third start over Miami's past seven games by rapping three singles from the No. 8 spot in the batting order. The speedy utility man capitalized while he was on the basepaths with a steal in each of the fourth and ninth innings. Sanoja appears to be sharing starts at third base with Graham Pauley and Leo Jimenez, though the recent demotion of Connor Norby to the minors could lead to Sanoja seeing a bit more playing time.

Pallante (9-5) took the loss against Miami on Saturday, allowing five runs on 11 hits and one walk while striking out four batters over 6.2 innings.

The 11 knocks allowed by Pallante marked a season-worst total, though only two of those hits -- both doubles -- went for extra bases. The right-hander was unable to navigate around the steady flow of traffic, as Miami scored in four of the seven innings during which he pitched. It wasn't all bad news for Pallante though, as he gave St. Louis 6.2 innings, and he's now completed at least six frames in four straight starts. Pallante entered Saturday having logged five wins, a 2.68 ERA and a 0.99 WHIP across his previous seven starts, so the setback against the red-hot Marlins shouldn't impact his strong grip on a rotation spot. He's lined up to make his next start on the road against the Cubs.

Thomas went 1-for-3 with one RBI and a stolen base in Saturday's 5-2 loss to the Angels.

Thomas' steal was his first of the campaign. The outfielder has largely filled a depth role this season. Prior to Saturday, he went 0-for-16 with seven strikeouts across his previous nine games, so he hasn't done much to make a case for more playing time. He's batting .211 with a .577 OPS, two home runs, seven RBI, eight runs scored and two doubles over 76 plate appearances.

Heim went 1-for-3 with a solo home run and a walk in Saturday's 5-2 loss to the Angels.

Six of Heim's seven home runs this season have come over his last 18 games. He's batting .308 (16-for-52) with 12 RBI in that span. Heim continues to fill the backup catching job behind Shea Langeliers, though his steady hitting of late has helped Heim get more looks at designated hitter.

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.

Perkins allowed two runs on four hits, one walk and one hit batsman while striking out five over five innings in a no-decision versus the Angels on Saturday.

Perkins came away with a fourth straight no-decision. This was his best outing of the span -- he's allowed 12 runs over 19 innings over those games, and he's added a 23:8 K:BB. Overall, Perkins is at a 6.00 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 62:17 K:BB across 51 innings through 22 games (five starts). He's tentatively projected to make his next start at home versus the Marlins.

Lowe went 1-for-3 with a stolen base and a run scored in Saturday's 5-2 win over the Athletics.

This was his second steal of the season. Lowe has gone 4-for-10, albeit with three strikeouts, over three games since he rejoined the Angels' big-league roster Wednesday. Lowe stayed on the roster when Jose Siri (paternity) was activated Saturday, as Christian Moore was optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake instead. Lowe is now batting .200 with a .564 OPS, five home runs, 14 RBI, nine runs scored and two doubles over 144 plate appearances in the majors this season. He'll likely have the chance to stay with the big club until Mike Trout (hamstring) is ready to return.

Yates struck out one in a perfect inning to earn the save in Saturday's 5-2 win over the Athletics.

This was just the second save of the year for Yates. He has improved lately, allowing just one unearned run with a 12:2 K:BB over his last 7.1 frames. Overall, he's at a 3.06 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 25:7 K:BB through 17.2 innings. Yates is part of a closing committee for the Angels, though the team's overall poor performance leaves little value to gain from chasing saves in this bullpen.

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.