MLB Player News

Karinchak (2-0) struck out the side to earn the extra-inning win over the Rays on Wednesday.

Karinchak needed 15 pitches (10 strikes) to keep the game tied at 1-1 in the 10th inning, and Amed Rosario delivered a walkoff single in the bottom half of the frame. Over his last six innings, Karinchak has a 9:1 K:BB and has allowed only two hits without surrendering a run. The righty owns a 1.45 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 59:19 K:BB with three saves, eight holds and a blown save through 37.1 innings this year.

Cuas was optioned to Triple-A Omaha on Thursday.

Cuas picked up the win in his last appearance and has posted a 2.57 ERA in September, but his 1.86 WHIP this month suggests he got a bit lucky, and the Royals decided to remove him from the roster to open up a spot for fellow reliever Taylor Clarke.

Clarke (oblique) was activated from the 15-day injured list Thursday.

Clarke tossed an inning in a rehab assignment with Triple-A Omaha on Monday, and that was all the Royals needed to see before adding him back to the roster. Clarke has posted a 2.73 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 31:8 K:BB over 29.2 big-league innings since the start of June, so he could be used in high-leverage spots the rest of the way.

Martinez (4-6) took the loss Wednesday, allowing three runs on five hits over 4.2 innings against the Angels. He struck out four.

Martinez retired nine of the first 10 batters he faced before surrendering a solo home run to Mike Trout in the fourth inning to make it a 1-1 game. The Angels then tacked on two more runs in the frame. Martinez has now allowed three or more runs in four consecutive starts, going 0-3 over that stretch with a 9.33 ERA and 1.91 WHIP.

Melancon didn't allow a baserunner during the 10th inning to pick up the save against the Astros on Wednesday.

Melancon's number was called in the bottom of the 10th, and he proceeded to retire all three batters he faced on a total of six pitches to record his first save since Aug. 17. The 37-year-old reliever has been solid for the Diamondbacks in September to the tune of a 2.70 ERA and 1.20 WHIP over 10 appearances.

Smith (0-2) took the loss on Wednesday night against the Diamondbacks. He allowed three runs (two earned) on two hits while striking out one over two-thirds of an inning.

Smith entered for the 10th inning with the score tied 2-2 and retired two of the four batters he faces before being pulled in favor of righty Bryan Abreu. The left-hander is 0-2 in 11 September appearances, allowing four earned runs with 10 strikeouts and two walks over that stretch.

Winder did not factor into the decision Wednesday, allowing three runs on six hits over 4.2 innings against the White Sox. He struck out six.

Winder fell victim to small ball as he allowed two RBI singles and a sacrifice fly. In four starts since being recalled from Triple-A St. Paul on Sept. 11, the 25-year-old rookie has posted an unspectacular 5.59 ERA and 1.29 WHIP over 19.1 innings, with five home runs allowed during that span.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Graterol will serve as the team's opening pitcher in Thursday's game in San Diego, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Roberts noted that Andrew Heaney will pitch "somewhere behind" Graterol, likely functioning as a primary pitcher out of the bullpen in what had been his typical turn through the rotation. Since Graterol hasn't recorded more than six outs in any of his appearances in the majors or minors this season, he likely won't be asked to face any batter more than once before giving way to the bullpen.

Hjelle earned the win over Colorado on Wednesday, allowing two runs (one earned) on two hits and two walks while striking out two batters over four innings.

Reliever John Brebbia opened the game for San Francisco and completed one inning. Hjelle followed with four solid frames, and he departed after the fifth with the Giants up by a run. San Francisco was able to keep the lead throughout the remainder of the contest to give Hjelle his first big-league win. Following a rough outing against the Dodgers on Sept. 17 during which he gave up six earned runs in just one inning, Hjelle has bounced back by surrendering a respectable three earned runs over his subsequent eight frames.

Kahnle picked up a save against the Padres on Wednesday, striking out one batter in a perfect 10th inning.

After the Dodgers scored the game's first run in the top of the 10th, Kahnle was called upon to close the door in the bottom of the frame. The automatic runner moved to third base with one out, but Kahnle then struck out Trent Grisham and induced a Ha-Seong Kim groundout to finish off his first save since 2018. The right-hander has held the opponent scoreless in nine of 11 appearances this season and could see more save chances moving forward now that manager Dave Roberts has transitioned to a closer committee after moving Craig Kimbrel out of the role.