MLB Player News

Helsley allowed an inherited runner to score and surrendered two hits and a walk while striking out two over 1.1 innings Saturday versus the Pirates. He was charged with a blown save.

Helsley entered with one on and two outs in the eighth inning and gave up a game-tying RBI double to Rodolfo Castro. Through six appearances, Helsley is 3-for-5 in save chances with an 0-1 record and a 10:3 K:BB. It appears he's had some bad luck this season with a 1.57 WHIP across seven innings, but until some of the hits he's allowing turn into outs, he could be in danger of losing some save chances to Giovanny Gallegos.

Hicks (0-1) allowed three runs (two earned) on three hits and struck out one in one-third of an inning, taking the loss Saturday versus the Pirates.

Hicks has often put himself behind the eight-ball in his appearances this season, as he's had trouble retiring the first batter he faces. That was the case Saturday, as Andrew McCutchen took him deep for a two-run home run to begin the 10th inning. Hicks has an awful 12.71 ERA, 3.35 WHIP and 6:8 K:BB aver 5.2 innings. His velocity is as strong as ever, but he hasn't found any way to harness it with control, so Hicks remains an unappealing fantasy option.

Rogers (0-2) allowed an unearned run on one hit while failing to record an out, taking the loss in extra innings Saturday versus the Tigers.

Miguel Cabrera pinch hit for Akil Baddoo and delivered a walkoff single against Rogers in the 11th inning. Rogers has failed to record an out in each of his last two appearances, and he's kept the opponent off the scoreboard in only one of his six games this season. He owns an ugly 18.90 ERA, 3.30 WHIP and 1:6 K:BB across 3.1 innings. With Rogers struggling, most high-leverage work is likely to go to Camilo Doval and Tyler Rogers in the near term.

Bednar (2-0) earned the win in Saturday's 6-3 win over the Cardinals by firing a perfect ninth inning with one strikeout.

Bednar came in to pitch in a 3-3 game and was effective while picking up his second win of the season. The right-hander was making his first appearance since blowing a save Tuesday against the Astros, and this now makes five scoreless appearances in six outings for the Pirates' closer, who is also 4-for-5 in save chances.

Robertson picked up the save during Saturday's 3-2 win over Oakland, allowing one hit and zero walks while striking out one over a scoreless ninth inning.

Robertson came on with a one-run lead and allowed a leadoff single to Carlos Perez. After Esteury Ruiz executed a successful sacrifice bunt, the veteran closer got Tony Kemp to ground out and struck out Kevin Smith to end the game, stranding the game-tying run on third. Across seven appearances, Robertson has yet to allow a run while posting a 9:0 K:BB and a 0.55 WHIP. He now has three saves and one hold.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Saturday that Jackson was tipping his pitches during his appearance against the Cubs on Friday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Jackson was hit hard by Chicago, allowing six hits -- including four home runs -- and five runs over two innings. The Dodgers reviewed tape of Jackson's outing and determined that he was tipping pitches, which is something he's dealt with in the past. Roberts indicated that the team will try to address the issue with Jackson, but there's no word on how it may affect his short-term availability. The right-hander will likely be held out for multiple days regardless since he tossed 55 pitches in Friday's blow-up.

Varland told reporters after Saturday's game against the Padres that x-rays returned negative on his right hand, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Varland was hit in the hand, face and forearm by a liner off the bat of Manny Machado that registered a 105 mph exit velocity. The right-hander said that his hand took the brunt of the blow and believed he could have continued while acknowledging that could be adrenaline talking. It appears Varland has avoided a serious injury, but he still should be considered day-to-day at this point.

Moore was optioned to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Saturday.

Moore was ineffective in his thee appearances with the Phillies, allowing seven runs over 3.1 innings with a 2:5 K:BB and 3.00 WHIP. The Phillies will announce a corresponding move before Sunday's series finale against the Reds.

Hughes (knee) was activated off the 15-day injured list by the Cubs on Saturday.

Hughes has been out since the start of the season due to soreness in his left knee. The southpaw should be a late-innings option for the Cubs now that he's healthy. Nelson Velazquez was sent back down to Triple-A Iowa in a corresponding move.

Varland left Saturday's game against the Padres in the eighth inning after being struck in the face by a comebacker, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports. He allowed an unearned run over two-thirds of an inning before exiting.

It was a scary moment for Varland, as he was hit in the chin area by a line drive off the bat of Manny Machado that had a 105 mph exit velocity. The right-hander went down to a knee before being able to leave the contest. Javy Guerra replaced Varland on the mound.