MLB Player News

Soriano did not factor into the decision Saturday in the Marlins' 9-8 loss to the Rangers, giving up three runs on three hits and three walks over three-plus innings. He struck out four.

Making his first career start in the majors, Soriano blanked Texas for three innings before Robbie Grossman crushed a three-run homer to right field in the fourth to chase the rookie right-hander from the game. Soriano was likely due to get lifted even if he had escaped that jam however, as his 59 pitches on the afternoon (36 strikes) were just two short of his season high. Ryan Weathers wound up working 95 pitches in relief, and it's not clear which of the two will fill the fifth starter spot for the Marlins next time around, or if they will work as a tandem. Soriano has the better numbers on the season with a 2.67 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 30:13 K:BB through 30.1 innings.

Bednar blew a save opportunity against the Brewers on Saturday, allowing one run on two hits over one inning.

Bednar got the ball in the ninth frame with Pittsburgh clinging to a 2-1 lead. He gave up a leadoff single, which resulted in a run when Sal Frelick followed with another single one out later. The blown save was just the second of the season for Bednar in 24 chances. He's been mostly dominant this year, posting a 1.38 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 56:13 K:BB over 44.2 innings.

Munoz allowed a run on two hits and two walks while striking out two over one inning to pick up the save in Saturday's 3-2 win over the Angels.

Munoz walked the tightrope for this one, getting two outs on 14 pitches before allowing four straight batters to reach. He loaded the bases on an intentional walk and then struck out Hunter Renfroe to close it out. Munoz's velocity gives him closer qualities, but he's prone to the occasional nightmarish outing. He's converted all three of his save chances since Paul Sewald was traded to Arizona. Matt Brash, who earned the save Friday, worked a scoreless eighth inning for a hold in Saturday's contest. Given both Munoz and Brash have appeared three times in the last four days, someone like Justin Topa could have a chance to vulture a save should a chance arise Sunday.

Yarbrough allowed a run on three hits and struck out three without walking a batter over 4.1 innings as the bulk reliever in Saturday's 8-3 loss to the Padres. He did not factor in the decision.

Yarbrough's no stranger to working behind an opener in his career, and the Dodgers appear to want to continue that, at least for now. It worked in his team debut, though the bullpen couldn't maintain the lead after an eighth-inning meltdown. Yarbrough has started seven of his 15 appearances this season, posting a 4.07 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 32:9 K:BB through 55.1 innings while earning a 4-5 record. With Clayton Kershaw (shoulder) expected back next week, Yarbrough may have to settle for a more traditional multi-inning relief role unless the Dodgers want to go with something resembling a six-man rotation.

Thompson will work as the Cardinals' opening pitcher in Sunday's game against the Rockies, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

Thompson was effective in his last two relief appearances, and he'll now get the chance to start with the big club Sunday for the first time this season. He hasn't tossed more than 33 pitches in a big-league game this season, so he likely won't work deep enough into Sunday's contest to qualify for a win.

Murphy is expected to work as the primary pitcher in Sunday's game against the Blue Jays, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

Manager Alex Cora previously suggested that Murphy would work as a primary pitcher behind opener John Schreiber in Saturday's 5-4 loss, but Murphy ended up going unused while Nick Pivetta handled the bulk role. The Red Sox are treating the series finale Sunday as another bullpen day, so Murphy looks like he'll get a chance to pitch extended innings for the first time since July 30.

Bernardino will work as Boston's opening pitcher for Sunday's game against the Blue Jays, Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald reports.

Bernardino opened several games in July, and he will slot into that role for the first time in August. Don't expect him to go more than an inning or two Sunday, especially after he made a 21-pitch appearance out of the bullpen in Saturday's 5-4 loss. Chris Murphy is expected to work as a bulk reliever behind Bernardino.

Holmes picked up the save in Saturday's win over the Astros, striking out one over a scoreless inning.

Holmes entered the game with a two-run lead in the ninth and got Jeremy Pena to go down swinging in the first at-bat en route to a 1-2-3 inning. The right-hander has now converted each of his last five save attempts, posting six strikeouts to only one walk over that stretch. He's also allowed just one run since June 23, lowering his season ERA to 2.06.

Blach (1-1) allowed four runs on eight hits and a walk while striking out two over 4.2 innings to take the loss Saturday versus the Cardinals.

Blach had pitched eight scoreless innings over his previous two outings, both starts, but he wasn't so fortunate this time around. Just two of the hits he allowed went for extra bases, but those knocks were responsible for three of the runs on his line. The veteran southpaw has a 4.85 ERA, 1.58 WHIP and 11:4 K:BB through 26 innings over 10 appearances (three starts) this season. With the Rockies desperate for starting pitching, he should remain in the rotation, and he's tentatively projected for a road start versus the Dodgers next week.

Miller (neck) threw a scoreless inning in the Arizona Complex League on Saturday, Eric Stephen of SBNation.com reports.

Saturday's appearance was Miller's first since being placed on the injured list in June, and he was sharp in his first game back, serving up a single but striking out three batters. Miller is on the 60-day injured list, so he will not rejoin the big club until at least Aug. 20.