MLB Player News

Suarez (4-8) allowed three runs on seven hits -- including two home runs -- over five innings in a loss to the Pirates on Thursday. He struck out four and did not issue a walk.

His 96:26 K:BB looks fine and a stat like xFIP will tell you that Suarez is deserving of an ERA closer to 3.50, but xFIP assumes a pitcher's home-run rate will regress toward the mean, and that seems unlikely with Suarez. The lefty entered Thursday's game with a hard-hit rate of nearly 40 percent, and with a 1.40 HR/9 on the road. He's away from AT&T Park for his next two starts (@LAD, @CIN).

Alexander got the save Thursday night against the Rockies, with Kenley Jansen unavailable due to an irregular heartbeat.

Jansen was initially listed as out with an illness, only for Pedro Moura of The Athletic Los Angeles to clarify after the game that Jansen was diagnosed with an irregular heartbeat. Alexander previously picked up a save in July when Jansen was unavailable. He has a 3.33 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, 44:24 K:BB and 16 holds on the season.

Jansen's "illness" that forced him to not be available for Thursday's game against the Rockies was actually an irregular heartbeat, Pedro Moura of The Athletic Los Angeles reports.

Suddenly this became a much bigger concern. Jansen is flying back to Los Angeles for further tests. Scott Alexander picked up the save in Jansen's stead on Thursday night.

Hudson (forearm) played catch in the outfield prior to Thursday's game against the Rockies, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Hudson landed on the 10-day disabled list Tuesday due to right forearm tightness, but it's good to see that the issue hasn't stopped him from throwing for long. He plans to play catch again Friday, and he could pitch off a mound Saturday if all goes well. The 31-year-old reliever is eligible to return from the DL starting Aug. 17.

Jansen won't be available out of the bullpen for Thursday's game against Colorado because of an illness, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports.

Jansen is under the weather, so the Dodgers will hold him out as a precaution in the series opener. Expect the 30-year-old closer to return to action sometime within the next few days. Jansen last pitched Wednesday against Oakland, as he notched his 32nd save of the season in a scoreless ninth frame.

Holmes will get the start for Friday's matchup against San Francisco.

In order to give the starting rotation a little rest, the Pirates will call up Holmes to toe the rubber. He's made two starts in the big leagues this season, and he tossed six shutout innings in his last outing against Milwaukee on July 14. Holmes owns a 3.65 ERA and 1.54 WHIP with 10 strikeouts over 12.1 frames. As a result, the rest of Pittsburgh's rotation will have their scheduled starts bumped back a day.

Rusin (heel) was activated from the 10-day DL on Thursday, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

Rusin will return to the bullpen after appearing in a trio of minor-league games over the past week. He should be immediately available during Thursday's game against the Dodgers. In a corresponding move, the Rockies demoted Yency Almonte to Triple-A.

Almonte was optioned to Triple-A Albuquerque on Thursday, Nick Groke of The Athletic Denver reports.

Almonte will head back to the minors to free up a roster spot for Chris Rusin (heel), who was activated from the disabled list in a corresponding move. The 24-year-old Almonte owns a pristine 1.00 ERA across seven appearances (9.0 innings) for the big club this season, so he should be back in the majors once additional bullpen help is needed.

Venditte was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Thursday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic Los Angeles reports.

Venditte was shipped back to the minors to free up a roster spot for Thursday's starter, Ross Stripling, who was activated from the disabled list in a corresponding move. The switch-handed pitcher, who owns an 8.31 ERA and 2.08 WHIP across 4.1 major-league innings this season, failed to make an appearance for the big club during his most recent stint in the majors.

Richards (3-7) took the loss Wednesday as the Marlins got routed 7-1 by the Cardinals, allowing three runs on four hits and two walks over 5.2 innings while striking out seven.

The rookie fell one out shy of his fourth quality start in his last five outings, getting the hook after 97 pitches (62 strikes) once the Cards broke open a 1-1 tie on Matt Carpenter's homer and Marcell Ozuna's RBI double. Richards will carry a 3.98 ERA into his next start Tuesday in Atlanta.