MLB Player News

Chavez will start Saturday's game against the Mets.

Chavez will likely serve as an opener in Saturday's matchup since Atlanta plans to utilize its bullpen in the penultimate game of the regular season. The right-hander has recorded a 0.79 ERA and 0.71 WHIP in 11.1 innings across his last 11 appearances.

Avila was optioned to Triple-A El Paso on Saturday.

Avila wasn't going to pitch again this season after throwing four innings in his season debut Friday. He'll give his roster spot to James Norwood, who was recalled in a corresponding move.

Brogdon landed on the 10-day injured list with right groin tightness Saturday, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

Brogdon had only just returned from a stint on the injured list with a strained right groin Tuesday, and the issue evidently hadn't completely healed. He looked good in his two appearances since his return, striking out five over 2.2 scoreless innings, but his season is now over. Seranthony Dominguez was recalled to take Brogdon's place in the bullpen.

Dominguez was recalled by the Phillies on Saturday, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Dominguez was an effective reliever in 2018 and the first half of 2019, saving 16 games while riding a 30.2 percent strikeout rate and 55.3 percent groundball rate to a 3.27 ERA. He then developed elbow problems which eventually required Tommy John surgery, but he's set to return to big-league action just shy of 28 months since his last appearance at the highest level. He hasn't been good in 20.1 innings in the minors this season as he works his way back to full strength, struggling to a 7.97 ERA, though he hasn't allowed an earned run in any of his last five trips to the mound. Connor Brogdon (groin) hit the injured list to clear space on the roster.

Kelly earned a hold against Milwaukee on Friday despite allowing one run on a hit and a walk over two-thirds of an inning. Both outs he recorded came via strikeout.

After walking Christian Yelich to lead off the frame, Kelly bounced back to strike out the subsequent two batters. However, Yelich stole second and came around to score when Daniel Vogelbach notched a two-out single. That was the end of the outing for Kelly, as Kenley Jansen took over from there and recorded the four-out save. The run allowed by Kelly was his first in over a month. Since Sept. 1, the right hander has posted a minuscule 0.75 ERA and 0.67 WHIP while striking out 13 batters over 12 innings. Over that stretch, he has picked up one save and six holds.

Estevez earned the save against Arizona on Friday with a perfect inning during which he struck out two batters.

After the Rockies rallied for three runs in the top of the ninth, they turned to Estevez to close out the high-scoring affair. He did so with ease, retiring all three batters he faced, including the final two via strikeout. The save was Estevez's 11th in 17 opportunities. Since getting blown up for four runs against San Francisco on Sept. 8, the right-hander has converted six of seven save chances while posting a 2.70 ERA across 10 appearances.

Jansen secured the save Friday against the Brewers after tossing 1.1 scoreless innings, fanning one.

Jansen entered the game earlier than expected and recorded the final out of the eighth inning before cruising through the ninth, and he only needed 21 pitches (16 strikes) to nail down his 38th save of the year. The veteran reliever has been dominant of late and has tossed six straight scoreless outings while also securing the save in each of his last 17 opportunities.

Treinen (6-5) earned the win in relief Friday against the Brewers after tossing a scoreless inning, allowing one hit and striking out one.

Treinen pitched the seventh inning and looked dominant, needing just 14 pitches (10 strikes) to get the job done en route to his sixth win of the campaign. He has tossed seven scoreless outings over his last eight appearances and has been a reliable arm out of the bullpen for Los Angeles, as he owns a 1.99 ERA and a 0.98 WHIP through 72 appearances while also racking up seven saves (out of 11 chances) and 32 holds.

Alzolay pitched two scoreless innings in Friday's loss to the Cardinals. He allowed a hit and a walk while striking out two.

Alzolay now has a modest streak of three straight scoreless appearances out of the bullpen, a span that covers 6.2 innings. The righty has lowered his ERA to 4.58 in the process and has looked like someone who could be a valuable option in long relief. However, there's still a decent chance Alzolay works back into the rotation next season, as the Cubs have some question marks behind staff ace Kyle Hendricks.

Doval struck out two batters in a perfect ninth inning to earn the save over San Diego on Friday.

The right-hander needed only 11 pitches (eight of which were strikes) to set the Padres down in order and register his third save in four days. Over that stretch, he has struck out five batters and allowed only one baserunner over three scoreless frames. Doval's dominance in his brief time as the team's closer could provide some intrigue with Jake McGee (oblique) -- who has done well as the team's primary closer throughout the campaign -- on the verge of being activated.