MLB Player News

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.

Manager Dave Martinez told Andrew Golden of The Washington Post said after Saturday's victory over the Reds, in which Adon retired the first 17 batters he faced and picked up the win, that the pitcher will remain with the Nationals moving forward.

Adon started Saturday and wound up allowing three earned runs over six innings, but he also gave up just three hits and posted a 7:0 K:BB, and that was good enough to keep him with the big club for the time being. It remains to be seen, though, if the 24-year-old will start next time through the rotation or shift to the bullpen when Trevor Williams returns from the bereavement list.

The Angels selected Rosenberg's contract from Triple-A Salt Lake on Saturday.

Rosenberg was designated for assignment over the winter but now finds himself back on the 40-man roster, replacing right-hander Jacob Webb. While the 27-year-old Rosenberg doesn't have great numbers this season, he provides the Angels with a fresh lefty arm, one capable of covering multiple innings out of the bullpen if necessary.

The Angels designated Webb for assignment Saturday.

Webb made it through Friday's appearance without allowing a run, but he walked three batters, and that was apparently the last straw for Los Angeles. The 29-year-old righty has handed out 20 free passes and served up six homers in 31.2 innings in the majors this season. Kenny Rosenberg was added in a corresponding move.