MLB Player News

Muncy went 1-for-3 with a walk and a two-run home run in Friday's 2-1 win over the Yankees.

With the Dodgers down 1-0 in the top of the seventh inning, Muncy got hold of a Gerrit Cole slider and deposited it into the second deck in right field at Yankee Stadium for what proved to be the game-winning blast. It was Muncy's 18th homer of the season but his first in July, as he'd managed a weak .212/.297/.303 slash line with three RBI in his last 10 games before the All-Star break.

Scott struck out one in a perfect ninth inning Friday to record his 14th save of the season in a 2-1 win over the Yankees.

The southpaw fired eight of 11 pitches for strikes and fanned Jazz Chisholm to preserve the victory. Scott has been scored upon in only one of his last 12 appearances dating back to June 11, converting eight of nine saves chances during that stretch while posting a 2.25 ERA, 0.67 WHIP and 19:2 K:BB over 12 innings.

Sasaki didn't factor into the decision in Friday's 2-1 win over the Yankees, allowing one unearned run on five hits and one walk over 5.2 innings. He struck out five.

The right-hander was lifted just short of his fifth quality start of the season after 94 pitches (58 strikes) with the Dodgers down 1-0, but a seventh-inning rally took Sasaki off the hook for the loss. It was an encouraging performance after he'd given up at least three earned runs in his last five starts before the All-Star break, a stretch in which he stumbled to an 8.61 ERA, 1.61 WHIP and 20:12 K:BB over 23 innings while serving up nine homers. Sasaki will look to build on this effort in his next outing, which is scheduled to come on the road next weekend against the Mets.

Saalfrank (shoulder) has begun a throwing program, Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports reports.

The throwing program began with Saalfrank tossing out to 60 feet. The left-hander underwent shoulder surgery ahead of spring training and is considered out for the season.

Garcia (hand) began swinging during the All-Star break and is set to be re-evaluated Sunday, per MLB.com.

Garcia landed on the injured list June 23 due to a nagging muscle strain in his left hand, but the 26-year-old took a step in the right direction by beginning to swing a bat during the All-Star break. Sunday's re-evaluation will determine whether he's ready to ramp up his hitting progression, including taking full rounds of batting practice, and should provide a clearer picture of when the third baseman could return to game action. Before being shelved, Garcia hit .261/.320/.373 with three homers, 30 RBI, 32 runs and five stolen bases across 69 games.

Estevez (shoulder) started a throwing program Friday, per MLB.com.

Estevez had been shut down since receiving an injection July 1 for a right rotator cuff strain. While it's a positive sign to see the veteran back throwing, the extent of his activity is unknown and figures to be limited, with the Royals expected to proceed cautiously given the series of setbacks the right-hander has faced since landing on the injured list April 1, originally due to a left foot contusion. An exact timeline remains unclear and will depend on how he responds to the throwing progression, but Estevez likely won't be ready to return to the big-league roster until later in August.

Bubic (elbow/shoulder) could begin a new throwing program next week, per MLB.com.

Bubic has been shelved since mid-May due to left elbow soreness before developing left shoulder discomfort during a rehab outing. The southpaw received a cortisone injection July 2 and has been shut down since, though he could be ready to resume throwing in the near future. Beginning a throwing program would mark a step in the right direction, though Bubic is likely to need considerable time to progress through his rehab before embarking on a rehab assignment and ultimately returning to the active roster. Prior to his lengthy stint on the injured list, the hurler posted a 3-2 record with a 4.11 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 51:26 K:BB across 50.1 innings (nine starts).

Isbel (foot) participated in a full team workout Friday and could begin a rehab assignment next week, per MLB.com.

Isbel has been shelved since June 10 with a Grade 3 tear of a portion of his left plantar fascia. He had been aiming to begin a rehab assignment before the All-Star break, but soreness prevented those plans from materializing. The 29-year-old's participation in Friday's workout is a positive step, though how he feels afterward and whether he's able to avoid soreness will determine how soon he'll begin a minor-league rehab assignment and ultimately return to the active roster. In Isbel's absence, Lane Thomas has handled center-field duties.

Kelly did not factor into the decision Friday, giving up three runs (one earned) on four hits with three strikeouts and two walks over five innings against St. Louis.

The Cardinals tallied two unearned runs on two hits, a walk and an error during the opening frame, but Kelly then kept St. Louis off the board until JJ Wetherholt's solo homer during the fifth inning. The veteran right-hander was unable to extend his win streak to three games, but he continued a strong run of form with a 2.12 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 15:7 K:BB across his last 17 innings. Kelly still has a lot of work to do to bring down his 5.20 ERA and 1.49 WHIP for the campaign.

O'Brien allowed a hit and a walk while striking out one over a scoreless inning to pick up the save Friday against the Diamondbacks.

The 31-year-old produced an eighth straight scoreless appearance and is once again tied with Mason Miller atop the National League with 25 saves. During that scoreless stretch, O'Brien has surrendered just three hits and three walks while recording seven saves, though he hasn't been particularly dominant with seven strikeouts.