MLB Player News

The Dodgers could deploy Yarbrough as a piggyback pitcher behind starter Emmet Sheehan in Thursday's game against the Giants, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

While manager Dave Roberts hasn't revealed how he plans to manage his pitching staff in the series opener, piggybacking the right-handed Sheehan with the left-handed Yarbrough would make sense. The Dodgers are cognizant of managing the rookie Sheehan's workload and haven't had him cover more than five innings in the majors or minors since July 29, so having him toss three or four frames before exiting the contest may be Roberts' preferred approach. Additionally, having Yarbrough enter the contest in the middle innings would help the Dodgers neutralize a Giants lineup that often contains four lefty bats in Michael Conforto, Joc Pederson, Mike Yastrzemski and LaMonte Wade. Yarbrough last pitched Sunday, but he should be capable of giving the Dodgers three or four innings on three days' rest, if necessary.

Cleveland optioned Kelly to Triple-A Columbus on Thursday.

This move opens a 28-man roster spot for Hunter Gaddis, who is starting for the Guardians on Thursday against the Orioles. Kelly had surrendered four runs -- three earned -- over his last two innings (two appearances) out of the Guardians' bullpen.

Lawrence allowed two hits and no walks while striking out one in two-thirds of a scoreless inning during Wednesday's loss to the Padres.

Lawrence exited Friday's appearance against the Giants due to an ankle injury, but he made two appearances during the team's series in San Diego this week. He tossed 1.2 scoreless innings during those outings but was charged with a blown save during Wednesday's appearance. Tyler Kinley picked up two saves over the past week but gave up two runs in two-thirds of an inning Tuesday against the Padres, so it's unclear which pitcher will be used in save situations over the final few games of the regular season.

Pressly (4-5) did not allow a baserunner across one inning to earn the win Wednesday against the Orioles.

Pressly entered the game in the ninth inning with the score tied at 1-1 and needed only nine pitches to retire the side. It was an important outing given that Pressly has struggled of late, allowing five earned runs combined across his previous two appearances. Those struggles have extended further, as he's posted just a 5.41 ERA and 1.41 WHIP -- albeit with a 29:5 K:BB -- across 22.2 innings since the All-Star break. There's no indication that Pressly is in line to lose his job as the closer, but he has become a liability (at least in the short term) for the Astros as they make their push to the postseason.

The Giants recalled Beck from Triple-A Sacramento on Thursday.

Beck had been struggling badly in a swingman role just prior to his Sept. 4 demotion, but he holds a decent 4.04 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 62:20 K:BB in 75.2 overall major-league innings this year. The right-hander will return in long relief ahead of Thursday's series opener at Dodger Stadium.

The Giants optioned Hjelle to Triple-A Sacramento on Thursday.

Hjelle worked 1.1 scoreless innings of relief Wednesday against the Diamondbacks, but the 26-year-old right-hander carries a rough 8.10 ERA across 13 total major-league appearances this season. Tristan Beck will join San Francisco's bullpen in a corresponding roster move ahead of Thursday's series opener versus the Dodgers.

Brazoban (hamstring/hip) is beginning a rehab assignment Thursday with Triple-A Jacksonville, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Out since mid-August due to a left hamstring strain and left hip impingement, Brazoban might become an option again for the Marlins' bullpen leading into the final week of the regular season. He registered a 4.29 ERA and 60:31 K:BB across 56.2 innings prior to landing on the injured list.

The Angels will recall Daniel from Triple-A Salt Lake to pitch Friday in Minnesota, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

He could be used as a traditional starter or as a bulk reliever behind an opener, but either way, Daniel is slated to handle most of the innings for the Halos. Tyler Anderson had been scheduled to take the hill Friday but is being pushed back due to a knee injury. Daniel tossed three scoreless relief innings in his major-league debut earlier this month.

Abreu (forearm) struck out one over 1.1 innings Wednesday against the Orioles.

He did not allow a hit or a walk in the outing. Abreu was struck on his right forearm by a comebacker in Sunday's game against the Royals, but it seems like he is a healthy bullpen option going forward.

Beeks was optioned to Triple-A Durham on Thursday, Tricia Whitaker of Bally Sports Sun reports.

The left-hander's demotion makes room for the return of Jason Adam from the injured list. Beeks threw 40 pitches over two scoreless relief innings in Wednesday's loss to the Angels, so he probably wasn't going to be available for a day or two anyway.