MLB Player News

Kelly pitched two-thirds of an inning against the Giants on Sunday, retiring both hitters on groundouts.

It was an uneventful return for Kelly, who has been dealing with an undisclosed physical ailment and had not pitched since Sept. 18. He needed only six pitches to retire both hitters he faced in the brief outing. Despite Kelly's recent lack of appearances, the right-hander is expected to be ready to contribute when the NLDS begins Thursday.

Rodriguez (6-11) lasted just 1.2 innings while giving up five runs on five hits and two walks while striking out two as he took the loss in the Giants' 9-0 defeat to the Dodgers on Sunday.

Madison Bumgarner was originally lined up to start this one but was dropped in favor of Rodriguez who probably reminded Manager Bruce Bochy why he was dropped from the rotation earlier this month. The right-hander finished the season with a 5.64 ERA over 99 innings, a year after his impressive rookie campaign in which he posted a 2.81 ERA through 118.1 innings. Rodriguez will have some things to work on in the offseason as he hopes to turn things around again in 2020.

Hoffman yielded two runs on two hits and three walks over five innings Sunday, striking out four batters in the win over Milwaukee. He did not factor in the decision.

After allowing a two-run homer to Yasmani Grandal in the first inning, Hoffman settled in and turned in a decent outing. He struggled throughout 2019 but he allowed three or fewer runs in five of his six September starts. Hoffman ends the season with a 6.56 ERA and 68:34 K:BB over 70 innings.

Young allowed four hits over four scoreless innings of relief Sunday, striking out one batter in the win over San Diego. He did not factor in the decision.

Young took over for opener Taijuan Walker and scattered four singles over his four shutout innings. The rookie southpaw ends his 2019 campaign with a 3.56 ERA and 71:27 K:BB over 83.1 innings.

Ponce de Leon, who's logged only one appearance since Sept. 7, has not seen more opportunities due to his designated long-relief role, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports. "Everyone has a spot and his spot has not come up," said manager Mike Shildt.

The young right-hander said he felt plenty of rust when called up on for three innings in Tuesday's 19-inning marathon against the Diamondbacks, but Ponce de Leon battled through and ended up logging three scoreless innings. Ponce de Leon remains hopeful of pitching in the postseason, but he's skeptical of his chances due to his recent lack of opportunity. "The goal is I want to pitch in the postseason, man," he said Saturday. "We've clinched the postseason, and I want to pitch so bad in the postseason. But there is no way you can make the postseason roster if you don't pitch. Sitting out there in September, you can't make the roster. That's what has really made me frustrated -- knowing that if I'm not getting innings now there's no way to crack the roster."

Manager Dave Roberts confirmed that Kelly (undisclosed) will work the sixth or seventh inning in Sunday's game against the Giants, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.

Kelly has been dealing with an unspecified physical issue that has prevented him from making an appearance since Sept. 18, but the Dodgers are comfortable enough with his health to work him into the pitching schedule in the regular-season finale. Assuming Kelly looks good during the outing and reports no setbacks coming out of the contest, he'll likely have a spot waiting for him on the Dodgers' postseason roster.

Rodriguez will start Sunday's game against the Dodgers.

As expected, Rodriguez will start what figures to be a bullpen game for the Giants. He has a 4.24 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 18 strikeouts in 17 innings across five appearances this month.

Diaz earned the save Saturday against the Braves by recording two strikeouts and not allowing a baserunner during the ninth inning.

Diaz had a stretch of 15 appearances without a save as Seth Lugo took over as the primary closer -- though he blew two save chances in that stretch -- but Diaz perhaps ended the season on a positive note after needing only 10 pitches Saturday. The 25-year-old has pitched two of the past three days and may have made his last outing of the season. Diaz's first season in New York has not gone according to plan with a 5.59 ERA and 1.38 WHIP while he's converted 26 of 33 save opportunities.

Jansen allowed one hit but struck out the side during the ninth to earn his 33rd save of the season in a 2-0 victory against the Giants.

The 31-year-old wasn't as dominant as usual this year, which is really indicated across all of his numbers, but he did post at least 33 saves for the sixth straight season. Barring an appearance in the season finale, Jansen will finish 2019 with a 5-3 record, 33 saves, eight blown opportunities, 3.71 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 80 strikeouts in 63 innings.

Kimbrel was shut down and won't pitch in Sunday's season finale at St. Louis, Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune reports.

The 31-year-old was also unavailable Saturday, but that news wasn't officially revealed until the ninth inning of the television broadcast as Brandon Kintzler entered -- and converted -- the save opportunity. Kimbrel signed a three-year deal with the Cubs in June, but he struggled during his first season in the Windy City with a 6.53 ERA, 1.60 WHIP, 30:12 K:BB and career-high nine home runs allowed in only 20.2 innings.