MLB Player News

Kershaw (13-4) allowed two hits and two walks while striking out five over five shutout innings to earn the win over the Giants on Saturday.

Kershaw didn't have to do much, as J.D. Martinez provided the Dodgers with three RBI over the first three innings. Since returning from the injured list in mid-August, Kershaw has given up just seven runs over 31 innings across seven appearances. The southpaw is now at a 2.42 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 132:38 K:BB through 126.1 innings over 23 starts. His 13 wins are his most in four years, while his innings count is the same as it was in 2022. Kershaw is expected to start once more in the regular season next weekend in a rematch with the Giants at Oracle Park.

Alcantara (elbow/forearm) acknowledged Saturday that he will not pitch again this year, Jordan McPherson and Andre Fernandez of the Miami Herald report.

Alcantara threw four scoreless innings in a promising rehab start Thursday with Triple-A Jacksonville, but his elbow and forearm were barking again in the aftermath and he's now officially been shut down with what's being called a right UCL sprain. The reigning NL Cy Young Award winner said it has yet to be determined whether the injury will require a surgical repair. He finishes 2023 with a 7-12 record, 4.14 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 151:48 K:BB in 28 starts covering 184.2 innings.

Flexen did not factor into the decision Saturday, allowing two runs on five hits and two walks over five innings against the Cubs. He struck out one.

After surrendering a run-scoring double to Ian Happ in the first frame, Flexen settled in and held the Cubs scoreless until a fifth-inning sacrifice fly accounted for his only other blemish. Unfortunately, Chicago's late rally disqualified the 29-year-old righty from earning his second win of the campaign. Saturday was the first time in Flexen's five September starts that he was able to limit the opposition to less than three runs, accumulating a 7.23 ERA and 1.56 WHIP acorss 23.2 frames. He currently lines up to face the Dodgers at Coors Field in his final regular-season start next week.

Stroman did not factor into the decision Saturday, allowing three runs on five hits and one walk over three innings against Colorado. He struck out two.

Stroman wasn't particularly sharp in his first start -- his first two appearances came out of the bullpen -- since landing on the injured list Aug. 2, needing 64 pitches (39 strikes) to make it through three frames. In the first half of the season, he posted a 2.96 ERA and 1.11 WHIP across 112.2 innings, earning Stroman an All-Star nod for the second time in his nine-year MLB career. However, the second half hasn't been so kind to the veteran righty, as he endured a six-week stay on the injured list and has posted a 9.41 ERA with a 1.95 WHIP across 22 innings since the All-Star break. He lines up for his final start of the regular season Thursday in Atlanta.

The Dodgers reinstated Grove (lat) from the 15-day injured list Saturday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

The 26-year-old has been on the shelf since early August due to tightness in his right lat, and his return will force Gavin Stone off the major-league roster. Grove has pitched to a 6.61 ERA through 64 innings on the year, but manager Dave Roberts said the right-hander would be given "every opportunity" to compete for a spot on the Dodgers' playoff roster.

The Dodgers optioned Stone to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Saturday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Stone gave up 10 runs over 13 innings across three appearances during his latest stint in the majors, and he will now return to the minors amid his struggles. Michael Grove (lat) will return from the injured list to replace Stone on the active roster.

The Marlins placed Perez on the 15-day injured list Saturday with left SI joint inflammation, Daniel Alvarez-Montes of ElExtraBase.com reports.

With just over a week left in the regular season, Perez's move to the IL will put an early end to his rookie campaign. The 20-year-old righty will end with a 3.15 ERA and 1.13 WHIP alongside a 108:31 K:BB through 91.1 innings. If the Marlins are able to secure a playoff berth, Perez will be eligible to return prior to the start of the NLDS. Jeff Lindgren was recalled from Triple-A Jacksonville in a corresponding move.

Musgrove (shoulder) restarted a throwing program Friday and will pace himself moving forward according to the Padres' chances of making the postseason, Annie Heilbrunn of The San Diego Union-Tribube reports.

Musgrove was eased off his throwing program in mid-September with San Diego apparently out of playoff contention, though the hurler clarified Friday that he was always going to resume throwing Sept. 23. However, the plan moving forward may have changed a bit with the Padres reeling off eight straight wins and getting to within four games of the final NL wild-card spot. They still have a pretty daunting task in trying to make up that ground with just over a week left in the regular season, but it appears Musgrove may ramp back up more quickly than expected if the team is able to cut further into the deficit. Heilbrunn reports that should the pieces fall into place and the Padres were to qualify for the playoffs, Musgrove would look to contribute out of the bullpen.

Davies' scheduled start Saturday against the Yankees has been postponed due to rain.

The game will be moved to Monday, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports, pushing the start of next week's series against the White Sox from Monday to Tuesday. The Diamondbacks have yet to announce their updated rotation plans.

Cueto made a one-inning appearance in relief in Friday's 16-1 loss to the Brewers, retiring the side on six pitches.

After failing to deliver a quality start while logging a 6.69 ERA and 1.40 WHIP over a stretch of seven outings, Cueto appears to have been moved to the bullpen. He's made both of his two appearances this week as a reliever, with Friday's cameo coming after he gave up two earned runs over two innings while mopping up in Wednesday's 8-3 loss to the Mets. Edward Cabrera appears poised to stick around as Miami's No. 5 starter while Cueto has been relegated to a relief role.