MLB Player News

Skenes completed seven innings Saturday, allowing two runs on four hits and one walk while striking out four batters in a no-decision against the Cubs.

Skenes struggled a bit early, giving up a solo homer in both of the first and third innings. However, those were the only hits he allowed during those frames, and the All-Star hurler finished his outing with four straight scoreless innings. Overall, Skenes allowed only six baserunners and was very efficient, needing just 82 pitches (53 strikes) to complete seven innings. He was in line for the win upon his departure, but a late letdown by the Pirates' bullpen spoiled that bid. Though Skenes again didn't do much in the strikeout department, this was a strong performance against a tough offense after he gave up five runs over 5.1 frames the last time he faced the Cubs. Skenes will carry a disappointing 3.78 overall ERA into his next start, which is projected to be at home against Milwaukee.

The Orioles signed Suarez to a minor-league contract Saturday, Andy Kostka of TheBanner.com reports.

Suarez elected free agency earlier in the week after being DFA'd three days earlier. The 36-year-old has been doing this same old song and dance -- being DFA'd, electing free agency and re-signing -- with the Orioles all season. Suarez owns a 4.12 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 41:20 K:BB across 59 innings of relief for Baltimore this season.

Mayza will serve as the Phillies' opening pitcher for Saturday's game in Atlanta, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

Mayza will make his fifth start of the season, but he has yet to record more than six outs in any of his 54 appearances to date and will likely be limited to 1-to-2 innings. The Phillies don't have an obvious bulk reliever available behind Mayza, but Grant Holman hasn't been used since being recalled from Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Sept. 1 and could be called upon to pitch multiple innings once Mayza exits.

Zeferjahn notched a save against the Pirates on Saturday by striking out the only batter he faced.

Chicago took a one-run lead in the bottom of the eighth inning and began the ninth with Ryan Rolison, who had already completed one frame, on the mound. Rolison gave up an infield single followed by two outs, and manager Craig Counsell then turned to Zeferjahn, who struck out Bryan Reynolds on six pitches to slam the door shut. The save was Zeferjahn's second over his past three outings dating back to Sept. 5, and no other Cubs reliever has logged a save during that stretch. Jacob Webb and Daniel Palencia have both had their share of struggles lately, so Zeferjahn could be sneaking into the closer mix late in the campaign, though it's too early to say he's the team's primary ninth-inning option.

Holmes allowed three runs (two earned) on five hits and four walks while striking out six batters over 5.2 innings versus Pittsburgh in a no-decision Saturday.

Holmes cruised through five scoreless frames but ran into trouble in the sixth. In that inning, the right-hander allowed three runs on three hits and two walks, with the big blow being a three-run blast off the bat of Ryan O'Hearn. The rough frame not only ended Holmes' bid for a win, but it also spoiled his chance at his eighth quality start. The 33-year-old was dominant over his final four outings in August, allowing just one run over 25 innings, but he's begun September by giving up 11 runs (10 earned) across 10 frames in his first two appearances. He's lined up to next take the mound in Cincinnati.

Goodman went 1-for-4 with a three-run home run and a walk in Saturday's loss to the Tigers.

Goodman put the game's first runs on the board with a three-run blast to left field in the third inning. That was his only hit of the game, and the All-Star backstop still hasn't logged a multi-hit performance since Aug. 28. Goodman has slowed down a bit in the power department of late, going deep just twice over his past 15 games. However, he still leads all backstops with 38 long balls, which is also tied for fourth overall in MLB.

Caissie was removed from Saturday's game against the Dodgers due to right hamstring tightness, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

The 24-year-old walked and scored in the bottom of the second inning, but Esteury Ruiz then hit for Caissie the following frame. He dealt with a right calf injury earlier in the season, though the injuries seem unlikely to be related. Caissie is slashing .220/.288/.412 with 14 home runs, 58 RBI, 45 runs scored and a 27:123 BB:K across 330 plate appearances in his first season with the Marlins.

White isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Mariners.

White has notched a hit in back-to-back games, but the A's will keep him on the bench to begin Saturday's contest. Jeff McNeil will shift to first base to cover for White, opening up the keystone for Donovan Walton.

Lee went 3-for-5 with two doubles, a triple, a walk, two runs and three RBI in an 11-7 win against the Rockies on Saturday.

Lee was one of three Tigers to log a trio of hits, and all three of those knocks went for extra bases. The infielder drove in a run with a double in the fourth inning and added a clutch two-run, two-out triple in the eighth. Lee was in need of a strong performance, as he'd gone 1-for-17 with nine strikeouts (albeit with six walks) over his previous six games. He's started three of Detroit's past five contests.

Romano blew a save against the Tigers on Saturday, allowing two runs on one hit and two walks over one inning.

Colorado held a 7-4 lead heading into the bottom of the eighth inning, but the Rockies' bullpen couldn't hold the advantage. Jaden Hill allowed five straight batters to reach base without getting an out, and Romano couldn't do much better, walking the first two batters he faced before giving up a two-out, two-run triple. The veteran reliever had a stretch of nine appearances without giving up an earned run from mid-August to early September, but over his past three outings he's blown two saves while giving up four earned runs across 2.2 frames. Colorado doesn't have many reliable options in its bullpen, so Romano probably isn't in imminent danger of losing his closer role.