MLB Player News

Abbott will begin Game 1 of Saturday's doubleheader against the Cardinals on the mound, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

Abbott will start the game with a 3-2 count against Paul Goldschmidt after Friday's game was suspended during the third inning. The 27-year-old righty holds a 4.24 ERA and 1.53 WHIP through 17 innings this season and figures to pitch two or three frames Saturday.

Jackson (elbow) is slated to throw a bullpen session Saturday, the team's official site reports.

The right-hander's absence due to a flexor tendon strain is approaching two months, yet Saturday's planned activity is certainly a step in the right direction. Jackson will eventually be ticketed for a lengthy rehab assignment given how long he's been sidelined, but even that step is still likely weeks away.

Ortiz was recalled Saturday to serve as the 27th man for Saturday's doubleheader against the Padres.

Ortiz spent roughly a month in the majors from mid-April through mid-May and rejoined the team for four more days in mid-June. Between the two stints, he owns a 3.46 ERA in 13 innings of work, striking out 10 batters while walking three.

Pallante will open Game 1 of Saturday's doubleheader against Washington, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

After Friday's game was suspended during the third inning, Pallante will take the mound once action resumes Saturday. The 24-year-old righty has pitched at least two innings just once this season, so he'll presumably be relieved relatively quickly.

Naile was called up from Triple-A Memphis to serve as the Cardinals' 27th man Saturday, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

Because Friday's game against Washington was suspended during the third inning, Naile will come up to serve as the extra man in St. Louis' bullpen for Game 2 on Saturday. Naile has surrendered 10 runs over 7.2 innings in the majors this season while walking seven batters and striking out four.

Staumont (neck) is expected to have thoracic outlet syndrome surgery in the coming days, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Staumont's upcoming surgery will almost certainly end his season. The right-hander will close 2023 with a mediocre 5.40 ERA, 1.45 WHIP and 24:13 K:BB through 20 innings. The Royals have not indicated if he'll be delayed to start spring training in 2024. Staumont was moved to the 60-day injured list Friday.

Hentges (1-1) took the loss Friday versus the Rangers. He failed to record an out while allowing three runs on two hits and a walk.

Hentges was tasked with protecting a one-run lead in the seventh inning but instead created a mess that saw the Guardians trailing by four by the end of the frame. The southpaw has yet to have an outing in which he's allowed a single run -- he's given up multiple runs seven times, including in each of his last three appearances, while adding 18 scoreless outings. He's at a 5.40 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and 22:11 K:BB with eight holds through 23.1 innings this season.

Fujinami (5-8) took the loss Friday against the Twins, allowing two earned runs on two hits over 1.2 innings. He struck out three.

Fujinami fired 20 of his 27 pitches for strikes, but the two-run home run he surrendered to Joey Gallo in the ninth inning snapped a 3-3 tie and ultimately saddled the right-hander with the loss. Fujinami saw a six-appearance scoreless streak snapped in the process, but despite the stumble, he's been much more of a fantasy asset since moving to the bullpen in late April following a mostly disastrous stay in the rotation over the first month of the campaign.

Llovera (1-0) didn't give up a run or a hit in two-thirds of an inning, allowing one walk and picking up the win Friday versus the Pirates.

Llovera has a 3:1 K:BB over 2.2 innings across two appearances since he was selected to the Giants' roster last Thursday. The right-hander posted a solid 3.92 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 24:6 K:BB over 20.2 innings with Triple-A Sacramento prior to his promotion. With San Francisco enjoying stability in the late innings, Llovera is likely to feature in mainly low-leverage spots.

Bautista struck out two in a perfect ninth inning Friday to record his 24th save of the season in a 5-2 win over the Marlins.

The right-hander continues to dominate. Bautista has struck out multiple batters in 13 of 14 appearances since the beginning of June, posting a 0.56 ERA, 0.50 WHIP and incredible 32:2 K:BB through 16 innings over that stretch while converting 10 of 11 save chances. He now sits three saves behind major-league leader Camilo Doval's 27.