MLB Player News

Junis (5-7) took the loss Saturday against the Diamondbacks. He allowed four runs on eight hits and two walks while striking out four over 4.2 innings.

Junis entered the game in the second inning after lefty Scott Alexander served as an opener for 1.1 innings; Junis' most notable blemish occurred on a two-run double from Sergio Alcantara to give the Diamondbacks a 3-1 lead in the fourth. The righty has struggled during his last 11 appearances, recording a 6.20 ERA and 1.57 WHIP over 53.2 innings. The 30-year-old has not allowed a home run in three straight games.

Jansen picked up the save Saturday against the Mets, allowing no runs on no hits while striking out two and walking none over one inning.

Jansen now has saves in back-to-back appearances and in six of his last eight appearances. The veteran is one save shy of tying Emmanuel Clase for the most in baseball. Jansen needed just 11 pitches to finish out the game Saturday, lowering his ERA to 3.48 in the process.

Hicks (neck/arm) had a strong bullpen session Friday and is on track to be activated from the 15-day injured list prior to the end of the regular season, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

Hicks appears set for a fairly minimal stay after hitting the IL on Sept. 17. The 26-year-old right-hander had a 4.87 ERA and 1.23 WHIP across 20.1 innings between the start of August and when he was shelved with fatigue and neck spasms, so he's likely to slot into a mid-leverage role once he's ready to go. Assuming he doesn't have a setback in the next couple of days, he'll likely have time to appear in one regular-season game before the postseason begins.

Graterol struck out one in a perfect inning to earn the save in Saturday's 6-4 win over the Rockies.

Graterol struggled in his last appearance, which came as an opener Thursday versus the Padres. He allowed two runs on three hits in one inning in that outing, but he looked much more comfortable back in his usual high-leverage role Saturday. The save was his fourth of the season and his first since July 10. The 24-year-old right-hander now has a 3.14 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 43:10 K:BB while adding 10 holds, a blown save and a 2-3 record through 48.2 innings this season. The Dodgers' ninth-inning usage is a full-blown committee at this point, so it's unclear who might operate as the closer in the postseason.

Hader allowed a hit and struck out two in a scoreless inning to earn the save in Saturday's 5-2 win over the White Sox.

Hader pitched around a one-out single from Eloy Jimenez to protect a three-run lead. While he took a blown save in Wednesday's extra-inning win over the Dodgers, Hader has still gone 8.2 innings since he last allowed an earned run. He's converted five of six save chances across those nine appearances. The 28-year-old is 35-for-39 in save chances this year with a 5.29 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 80:21 K:BB in 49.1 innings between the Padres and the Brewers.

Jameson (3-0) earned the win Saturday, allowing two runs on six hits and two walks over six innings against the Giants. He struck out seven.

Jameson's biggest mistake came on a solo home run from third baseman J.D. Davis with two outs in the sixth inning to cut Arizona's lead to 3-2. This was just the fourth major-league start of the 25-year-old's career, and he has allowed two runs or fewer in all four with three of them being quality starts.

Hjelle is expected to recalled from Triple-A Sacramento on Sunday, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Hjelle was optioned to the minors Saturday, but he will be able to return after Logan Webb (back) was placed on the injured list. The Giants are set to throw a bullpen game Sunday, and Hjelle last pitched Wednesday. That makes him a candidate to work multiple innings against the Diamondbacks.

Alexander will serve as the opener Sunday against the Diamondbacks, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Alexander threw 1.1 scoreless innings to begin Saturday's game against Arizona, and he'll likely pitch a similar amount Sunday. The Giants are poised to throw a bullpen game, and Sean Hjelle is expected to be recalled from Triple-A Sacramento to fill a long-relief role for the contest.

Crowe landed on the 15-day injured list with right elbow inflammation Saturday, Justice delos Santos of MLB.com reports.

The timing of the injury means that Crowe's season is over, though it's not yet clear if the injury will carry over into next season. He'll end the season with a 4.38 ERA and 1.39 WHIP (both career bests) in 76 innings of work. Junior Fernandez was recalled to take his place on the roster.

Hjelle was optioned to Triple-A Sacramento on Saturday, Evan Webeck of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Hjelle was recalled Wednesday and tossed four innings as the bulk reliever against the Rockies, picking up a win. His regular season may be done, though the Giants could still recall him if another player hits the injured list in a corresponding move. If he doesn't pitch in the big leagues against this season, he'll end his rookie campaign with a 7.20 ERA in 20 innings of relief.