MLB Player News

Kittredge (4-4) allowed a hit and a run while striking out one over one scoreless inning to earn the win Saturday over the Mariners.

Kittredge kept the game scoreless in the top of the eighth inning, and the Cardinals broke through in their half of the frame with a two-run home run by Pedro Pages. Kittredge extended his scoreless streak to nine innings, a span in which he's allowed four hits and two walks while striking out seven over nine innings. The setup man has a 2.98 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 56:18 K:BB with one save and 32 holds over 60.1 innings this season.

Helsley allowed a hit and struck out three over a scoreless inning to earn the save in Saturday's 2-0 win over the Mariners.

Helsley was able to make Pedro Pages' two-run home run in the eighth inning stand as the winning hit. Helsley blew his last save chance Tuesday versus the Brewers, but that was by allowing the initial runner to score in the 11th inning. He has not given up an earned run since Aug. 6, going 8-for-9 in save opportunities while yielding just eight hits and three walks with 16 strikeouts over 12 innings since that date. For the year, Helsley has a 2.23 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 71:23 K:BB with 43 saves in 47 attempts over 60.2 innings.

Ortiz (6-5) took the loss in Game 1 of Saturday's doubleheader against Washington, allowing four runs (three earned) on six hits and two walks while striking out two batters over 5.2 innings.

Ortiz was originally scheduled to start Friday, but his outing was pushed back a day due to a weather-related postponement. The right-hander wasn't at his sharpest against Washington, as only 58 of his 100 pitches were strikes and he departed with two outs in the sixth inning trailing 4-0. Ortiz fell one out shy of recording his third straight quality start, however. He'll look to bounce back in his next start, which is tentatively slated to be at home against Kansas City.

Finnegan notched a save in each game of Saturday's doubleheader against the Pirates, allowing one run on three hits and a walk in Game 1 and pitching a perfect frame with two strikeouts in Game 2.

Finnegan struggled a bit in the matinee, allowing four of the first five batters he faced to reach base to allow a run to cross the plate and load the bases with one out. He was able to escape the jam, however, by getting Bryan De La Cruz to ground into a game-ending double play. Finnegan tossed 23 pitches in that outing, but that didn't stop Nationals manager Dave Martinez from going to him again with the team up by two runs in the ninth inning of the nightcap. This time Finnegan got the job done with ease, retiring the side in order on 19 pitches. With the pair of saves, Finnegan is up to 36 on the season, third most in the majors.

Duran (6-9) took the loss Saturday versus the Royals, allowing three runs (two earned) on two hits and a hit batsman while striking out one over one-third of an inning.

Duran avoided the blown save, but he set the stage for the Twins' collapse by allowing three of the first four batters he faced to reach base. Griffin Jax couldn't slow the Royals, ultimately allowing two inherited runners to score. Duran has been charged with multiple runs in four of his 19 appearances since the All-Star break, permitting 15 runs (10 earned) over 16.2 innings in that span. He's now at a 3.80 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 54:13 K:BB while collecting 22 saves and five holds through 47.1 innings this season.

Lynch (1-0) allowed a hit and struck out four without walking a batter over three scoreless innings to earn the win Saturday over the Twins.

Lynch served as a de facto piggyback reliever after starter Alec Marsh went five innings. The Royals' four-run rally in the eighth inning put Lynch in position to be the pitcher of record, and Lucas Erceg was able to lock down the save. Lynch hasn't allowed a run over 7.2 innings across five appearances since he rejoined the major-league roster in late August. He's now at a 4.75 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 22:9 K:BB through 30.1 innings over 10 outings (three starts) this year. He is likely to end the campaign in a multi-inning relief role as long as he stays in the majors.

Erceg struck out one in a perfect inning to earn the save in Saturday's 4-2 win over the Twins.

Erceg was able to protect the two-run lead the Royals established in the eighth inning. It's his second clean outing in a row after he struggled in three straight appearances from Aug. 28 to Sept. 3, including one outing which was cut short when he was hit on the hand by a batted ball. He's up to 10 saves -- including seven as a Royal -- while posting a 3.74 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 61:15 K:BB through 53 innings between Kansas City and Oakland this year.

Williams earned a save against the Rockies on Saturday, striking out all three batters he faced in the ninth inning.

Williams dominated the Rockies on Saturday, making it the fourth time this season he's recorded all three outs in the ninth via strikeout. Williams has already racked up nine saves in 10 opportunities since making his season debut July 28. The 29-year-old has been particularly impressive of late, as he hasn't given up a hit in any of his last six appearances and carries a 1.84 ERA for the year.

Manager Dave Roberts said Saturday that Graterol (hamstring) is expected to be activated off the 15-day injured list in the next couple of days, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Graterol threw one scoreless inning in his last rehab outing with Triple-A Oklahoma City on Friday. He's been on the injured list since Aug. 7 due to a Grade 1 hamstring strain, but he appears to be ready to return to the Dodgers' bullpen. Graterol began the season on the injured list with right shoulder inflammation, and his lone appearance with the big club came Aug. 6 against the Phillies, when he gave up two runs on one hit and one walk over one-third of an inning.

Basso did not factor into the decision in Saturday's loss against the Tigers, allowing three hits and one walk in six scoreless innings. He struck out six.

Basso looked great in his first starting opportunity in the big leagues. The 26-year-old rookie was making the fourth appearance of his career, but this was the first one to go past two innings. Basso got into trouble in the third inning with runners on second and third with no outs, and he managed to get out of it unscathed. He should be expected to get another turn in the rotation given his strong outing against Detroit.