MLB Player News

Axford (leg) was able to walk around the Dodgers' clubhouse without the aid of crutches Friday, the Associated Press reports.

The right-hander, who has been sidelined since Aug. 12 with a fractured right fibula, hasn't been cleared to resume a throwing program, so until that happens, the Dodgers likely won't have a clear idea when he might be ready to come off the disabled list. If Axford is able to return by mid-to-late September, he'll likely be ticketed for middle-relief duty.

Mayers (shoulder) is set to resume throwing at some point next week, Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com reports.

Mayers hit the disabled list last Sunday with right shoulder inflammation and has been shut down from throwing since. If all goes well once he picks up a baseball again, the right-hander could potentially be activated after missing the minimum 10 days or very shortly thereafter.

Suarez (6-9) picked up the win against the Mets on Friday, giving up just two hits over seven scoreless innings. He struck out five and walked none in the Giants' 7-0 victory.

It was smooth sailing for Suarez in this contest, as he breezed to his sixth victory of the season. It was also the second game in a row he's gone seven innings without allowing a run. Overall, Suarez is sporting a 4.19 ERA, a 1.27 WHIP and a 113:34 K:BB over 133.1 innings this season.

Jansen struck out one and got the save against the Diamondbacks on Friday, working around a hit to record a scoreless ninth inning and close out a 3-2 victory for the Dodgers.

Jansen had uncharacteristically given up three earned runs over his last two appearances coming into this contest, but he was able to right the ship and lock down his 33rd save of the season with against Arizona. Jansen's ERA is still a solid 3.03 on the season, although that number is higher than we're used to seeing from the 30-year-old right-hander, who has a 2.19 mark for his career.

Pivetta didn't factor into the decision Friday against the Cubs, allowing one run on five hits and three walks across five innings. He struck out six.

Pivetta dealt with traffic for most of the evening, though he was able to limit the damage to a Javy Baez solo homer in the fifth inning. It was a nice bounce-back start from the right-hander, who had allowed 11 runs over his previous two starts (10.1 innings) heading into Friday. Pivetta now owns a 4.66 ERA and 168:41 K:BB across 141 innings this season. He'll face the Marlins in Miami next.

Yates was placed on the bereavement list prior to Friday's game.

Yates will be away from the team for the rest of this weekend's series against the Rockies and could miss up to seven games. Look for Craig Stammen or Jose Castillo to man down to ninth-inning role in his absence.

Vizcaino (shoulder) will make a rehab appearance for Triple-A Gwinnett on Sunday, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Vizcaino hasn't pitched since July 11, so he may need to make a small handful of rehab appearances. With rosters expanding in September, however, the Braves could activate him before he's ready to pitch on back-to-back days, as they'll have more than enough arms in the 'pen to cover for him. It's unclear whether or not he'll be able to pry closing duties back from A.J. Minter upon his return.

Miller (elbow) is scheduled to extend his throwing distance off flat ground to 125 feet next week, the Associated Press reports.

Miller began his throwing program a little under two weeks ago and has been eased along slowly, as he has yet to graduate to mound work. That could happen shortly after he pushes his flat-ground distance to 125 feet, but it's still looking unlikely that Miller will return from the 60-day disabled list until the second half of September, if at all this year. If that ends up being the case, Miller would likely be deployed out of the bullpen, as he wouldn't have enough time to condition his arm for a starter's workload.

Boxberger recorded the final two outs -- both strikeouts -- to earn the save Thursday against the Dodgers.

Andrew Chafin was called on to begin the ninth inning with left-hander Cody Bellinger leading off the inning. However, Boxberger entered the game to face the final two batters and recorded his 31st save. Boxberger has blown six saves this season, but has successfully converted six of his last seven chances and shows no signs of relinquishing the closer role.

Strop pitched a perfect ninth inning to record the save in Thursday's 5-4 win over the Braves.

Strop was lifted from his last save opportunity Monday after recording just a single out and allowing two baserunners, but he was able to get the job done in this one. The 33-year-old now has a strong 2.45 ERA and 11 saves this season, and he should continue to fill in as the Cubs' closer for however long Brandon Morrow (biceps) remains on the DL. With Morrow still not throwing off a mound, Strop could have the job for the rest of the regular season at least.