MLB Player News

Mears (oblique) will begin a rehab assignment with the Rockies' Arizona Complex League affiliate Friday.

Mears has been on the shelf since late June with a left oblique strain but is finally ready for games. He would figure to require a lengthy rehab stint and isn't necessarily a lock to rejoin the Rockies' bullpen this season.

Zerpa is expected to serve in a bulk-relief role behind opener Dylan Coleman in Friday's game against the Cardinals, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Zerpa looks like he'll get the first chance to fill the opening in the Kansas City rotation that was created when Zack Greinke (elbow) moved to the injured list. Though Zerpa has made only three appearances in the big leagues in 2023 while spending a significant chunk of time on the injured list, he had been serving as a starter at Triple-A Omaha prior to his call-up Aug. 1. Over six outings with Omaha, Zerpa compiled a 4.73 ERA and 1.53 WHIP over 26.2 innings.

Bautista picked up the save in Thursday's 5-4 win over the Astros, allowing one run on two hits and two walks over one inning.

Bautista entered the game with a two-run lead in the ninth inning and got Jake Meyers to fly out before things got dicey. The right-handed reliever surrendered a double to Jose Altuve and then proceeded to walk two of the next three batters, setting up an RBI single for Yainer Diaz. Bautista was still able to escape with his 31st save of the season, though he's now allowed runs in back-to-back appearances after previously not allowing a run since June 24.

Blach allowed one run on three hits and two walks while striking out two batters over six-plus innings in a no-decision against the Dodgers on Thursday.

Blach got through six frames without allowing a run before serving up a solo homer to Max Muncy to begin the seventh. That led to Blach getting the hook and having to settle for a no-decision, though it was still a promising outing overall. The left-hander finished with his first quality start in a campaign during which he's pitched mostly out of the bullpen. Since moving into the rotation at the end of July, Blach has allowed five runs over 15.2 innings for a solid 2.87 ERA. However, he's struck out just six batters over that span and has just 13 punchouts across 32 frames overall on the campaign.

Graterol earned a save against the Rockies on Thursday, striking out one batter in a perfect inning.

Evan Phillips has emerged as the Dodgers' primary closer this season, but he wasn't deployed Thursday after pitching each of the previous two days. Manager Dave Roberts instead turned to Graterol to close things out with Los Angeles clinging to a one-run ninth-inning lead, and the right-hander did so with ease, retiring the side in order on 13 pitches. Graterol has been outstanding as mostly a setup man this season, posting a 1.62 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 37:9 K:BB over 50 frames while collecting 14 holds and five saves.

Jansen earned a save against the Royals on Thursday, striking out two batters in a perfect inning of work.

Jansen threw 11 of 16 pitches for a strike while retiring the side in order in the ninth, getting a strikeout to begin and end the frame. The veteran reliever picked up his second save in as many days and boosted his season total to 26, tied for eighth in the majors. Jansen is up to 417 saves in his career, five away from Billy Wagner for sixth place all-time.

Littell (2-3) took the loss against St. Louis on Thursday, allowing three runs on seven hits and no walks while striking out five batters over six innings.

Littell held the Cardinals scoreless through three frames before serving up a two-run homer to Andrew Knizner in the fourth. St. Louis tacked on another run against the right-hander in the sixth, which was enough to send him to his third loss. Despite the defeat, Littell continues to look good in his new role as a traditional starter, tossing his second straight quality start. In three games since moving into the rotation, he's posted a 2.65 ERA and 10:1 K:BB over 17 innings.

Coleman will serve as the Royals' opening pitcher for Friday's game against the Cardinals, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Coleman will be making his first career major-league start Friday, though he will likely only remain in the game for an inning or two before handing things over to Angel Zerpa, who will pitch bulk innings. Coleman hasn't performed very well in the majors this season, accumulating a 10.05 ERA and 2.09 WHIP through 14.1 frames.

The Dodgers optioned Gonzalez to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Thursday, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

With the return of Clayton Kershaw (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list Thursday, Gonzalez will be sent back to the minors to free up a roster spot. The 27-year-old lefty has been effective out of the bullpen for Oklahoma City with a 2.60 ERA through 17.1 frames, and he could return to Los Angeles if the Dodgers need a fresh arm down the line.

Brieske fired two perfect innings to pick up the save Thursday against the Twins.

Brieske was called upon in the eighth inning to preserve a 3-0 lead and delivered two perfect innings to secure the save. With two of the team's last three saves, the 25-year-old has added another layer of complexity to Detroit's bullpen hierarchy.