MLB Player News

Estevez worked around one walk to throw a scoreless eighth inning Wednesday against St. Louis. He struck out one batter and earned his ninth hold of the season.

Estevez was lifted early Tuesday with back spasms, but clearly it wasn't a major problem as the right-hander was right back on the hill a day later. Unfortunately for those who took a gamble on Estevez after Scott Oberg (blood clot) was placed on the IL, it doesn't seem like Estevez is in line for many save chances. Jairo Diaz has gotten all three saves for Colorado this month.

Reyes (pectoral) has halted his 2019 in-season throwing program and will soon be shifting to a plan designed to prepare him for spring training, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

In the wake of a third straight injury-shortened season, Reyes will meet with Cardinals head physician Dr. George Paletta in coming days to set a winter workout plan. Reyes ultimately logged just 31 frames in 2019, with 28 of those innings coming at Triple-A Memphis. Finger and pectoral injuries were the culprits of his truncated campaign this time around, but Reyes has also dealt with shoulder troubles in the last two years. Reyes still isn't arbitration-eligible this offseason, so the team will have another year of evaluation time on him before he sees a bump in salary to some degree.

Kelly was charged with a blown save after giving up one run in one inning against Baltimore on Wednesday. He walked one and struck out three.

Kelly came on in the sixth inning and yielded a run on a walk, a wild pitch and a single. He also struck out the side and tossed 15 of 25 pitches for strikes. Kelly had previously been dealing with a minor leg issue but appears to be feeling better after tossing for the second time in the Dodgers' last four games.

Clarke allowed two runs on three hits and two walks while striking out three over four relief innings in Wednesday's 9-0 loss to the Mets.

The Diamondbacks needed bulk relief work when starter Robbie Ray left after two-thirds of an inning with a recurring blister issue on his left middle finger. Both manager Torey Lovullo and Ray think he can make his next start, but Clarke could fill in if need be. The right-hander told Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic that a recent tweak to his delivery helped him produce greater fastball velocity and generally sharper pitches. Pitching coach Mike Butcher recommended Clarke bring his front leg back further in his delivery, something that's allowed him to generate more drive with the back leg. "I'm able to gather myself a little bit more and go towards the plate rather than being tall-and-fall with my arm lagging," Clarke said. "I'm able to load up a little better and it kind of helped out not only fastball velo but everything has felt a little more in sync." Clarke's fastball has averaged 93.5 mph for the season, but he was consistently hitting 94-95 on Wednesday.

Melancon allowed two hits but didn't yield a run during the ninth inning to record his 11th save in a 3-1 victory against the Phillies on Wednesday.

The veteran closer is a perfect 10-for-10 in save chances since receiving his first with Atlanta on Aug. 13. There have been plenty of opportunities as well with the Braves winning 11 of the last 13. Melancon is 5-2 with 11 saves, 3.92 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and 64 strikeouts in 62 innings with the Giants and Braves this season.

Hudson (15-7) was charged with the loss against the Rockies on Wednesday, allowing two runs on four hits and five walks while striking out seven across six innings.

Despite the loss, Hudson turned in a quality start at homer-happy Coors Field, although his five free passes allowed tied a season high. The right-hander held the Rockies to one run until the fifth inning, when Ian Desmond took him deep with a solo homer. The long ball was just the second given up by Hudson over his last 45 innings pitched. The 24-year-old will look to remain in the win column as he brings a 3.38 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and 121:75 into a Monday matchup against the Nationals.

Suter (2-0) earned the win Wednesday at Miami after allowing one hit over three scoreless innings. He struck out two and walked none.

The quick-working lefty made quick work of the Marlins' order, needing only 35 pitches to work through the three frames. Suter joined the big-league roster at the start of September -- only 13 months removed from Tommy John surgery -- and has given up only one run on five hits with seven strikeouts and zero walks over his first 9.1 innings.

Hader had three strikeouts and gave up one hit during a scoreless ninth inning to record the save Wednesday at Miami.

Hader gave up a weak two-out single but still only needed 15 pitches to get his three strikeouts. The left-hander has been on an impressive run of late, with an 18:1 K:BB and only three hits allowed in his last eight outings (10.1 innings).

Kimbrel (elbow) is playing catch Wednesday but doesn't have a bullpen session planned, Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

It was reported Tuesday that Kimbrel wouldn't be activated when first eligible Thursday, and there remains no real clarity on his return timeline. The 31-year-old will need be cleared to throw off a mound before the timeline will come into focus.

Smith (back) will resume throwing Thursday and if all goes well could pitch this weekend against the Marlins, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

Smith hasn't pitched since Saturday as he battles a bout of back inflammation, but it looks as though he's nearing his return. The left-hander figures to receive a status update after Thursday's throwing session.