MLB Player News

Sasaki (shoulder) tossed two-plus innings in a rehab start with Triple-A Oklahoma City on Thursday, allowing three runs on six hits and one walk with zero strikeouts.

The outing was Sasaki's first game action since he went four innings in a start for the big-league Dodgers against Arizona on May 9. The right-hander needed 41 pitches Wednesday to retire six batters, and he departed after allowing the first two batters he faced in the third frame to reach base. While he reportedly hit 97 mph with his fastball in a sim game last week, per Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register, Sasaki's velocity settled in the 93-94 mph range in the rehab outing and topped out at 95.7 mph while inducing just two whiffs. Though this was an important step for Sasaki in his quest to return to the majors before the end of the season, the results suggest that he has a ways to go before he's ready to face big-league hitters again.

Blalock (1-4) allowed seven runs on six hits and four walks while failing to log a strikeout over 3.2 innings, taking the loss Thursday versus the Diamondbacks.

Home runs from Lourdes Gurriel and Jose Herrera accounted for five of the seven runs on Blalock's line. Those blasts came within the first two innings, and the right-hander ran into more trouble before he was pulled in the fourth. Blalock has given up 19 runs across his last 15 innings over three starts. The 24-year-old is at an 8.62 ERA, 1.79 WHIP and 22:18 K:BB in 47 innings through 11 appearances (nine starts) this season. He's tentatively projected to make his next start at home against the Dodgers, who have been struggling lately but still pose a threat.

Rodriguez (5-7) allowed one run on six hits and a walk while striking out six over seven innings to earn the win Thursday over the Rockies.

Rodriguez didn't fare well in a no-decision versus the Rockies in Arizona last week, allowing five runs over 5.1 innings. He was much better in Colorado, limiting the damage to a Kyle Farmer solo home run in the fifth inning. Inconsistency has been the story of the year for Rodriguez, who has allowed two or fewer runs in just three of his last seven outings. He's at a 5.40 ERA, 1.64 WHIP and 111:43 K:BB across 110 innings through 21 starts. The veteran southpaw is projected to make his next start at home versus the Guardians.

Senga didn't factor into the decision Thursday against Atlanta, allowing two runs on five hits and one walk across 5.2 innings. He struck out seven.

Senga nearly submitted his first quality start in seven appearances, but he was pulled at 93 pitches with two outs in the sixth frame. Still, it was a step in the right direction for the 32-year-old, as he had allowed at least three runs in each of his last four starts and walked 14 batters during that span. His seven Ks also tied a season high. Through 19 appearances, Senga has a 2.35 ERA and a 95:48 K:BB across 99.2 innings. He's on track to face the Nationals in his next start.

Elder (5-9) picked up the win Thursday against the Mets, allowing three runs (two earned) on five hits and two walks across seven innings. He struck out six.

Elder snapped a streak of three consecutive losses Thursday, delivering a quality start and completing seven innings for the first time in 10 appearances. The 26-year-old has been inconsistent in his last eight starts, allowing five or more earned runs three times and fewer than three earned runs three times during that stretch. On the year, Elder has a 5.89 ERA and an 87:41 K:BB across 107 innings. He's tentatively scheduled to face the White Sox next time out.

Luzardo (11-6) took the loss Thursday against Washington, allowing three runs on four hits and three walks over six innings. He struck out seven.

Luzardo recorded his fourth consecutive quality start, but Thursday's outing was his first of that stretch to not result in a win. The left-hander seems to have left a late July blip in the rearview mirrow, during which he allowed 10 runs over 9.2 innings across two starts. During his quality start streak, Luzardo has a 2.52 ERA and a 22:5 K:BB across 25 innings. Luzardo's next start is tentatively scheduled to come against the Mariners early next week.

Cabrera (6-6) took the loss Thursday against the Guardians, allowing five runs on seven hits and three walks over 5.1 innings. He struck out six.

It was a tough outing for Cabrera, who came back to earth after pitching to a 1.40 ERA in his previous four starts (25.2 innings). Overall, the 27-year-old right-hander sports a 3.34 ERA with a 1.16 WHIP and a career-high 120 strikeouts across 21 starts (113.1 innings). Cabrera will look to get back on track in his next outing, tentatively scheduled for next week at home against the Cardinals.

Boyd (11-6) took the loss in Thursday's 2-1 defeat to the Blue Jays, allowing two runs on two hits and a walk over seven innings. He struck out five.

Boyd was dominant for most of the outing, allowing just one hit while blanking Toronto through his first six innings. However, the left-hander would walk Davis Schneider to lead off the seventh before Vladimir Guerrero launched a two-run homer, which proved to be enough to stick Boyd with the loss in a one-run defeat. The 34-year-old Boyd has dropped three of his last four outings despite posting a respectable 3.75 ERA in that span. Overall, his ERA sits at 2.46 with a 1.02 WHIP and 126:30 K:BB across 24 starts (142.2 innings) this season.

The Padres recalled Vasquez from Triple-A El Paso on Thursday, Alden Gonzalez of ESPN.com reports.

The Padres added Michael King to the 15-day injured list due to left knee inflammation, so the Padres recalled Vasquez in a corresponding move. Vasquez is poised to either start Friday against the Dodgers or serve as the primary pitcher behind an opener. In 22 big-league starts this season, he has a 3.93 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and 55:48 K:BB across 107.2 innings.

The Padres placed King on the 15-day injured list, retroactive to Monday, with left knee inflammation.

King was set to take the mound against the Dodgers on Friday but will instead return to the injured list after coming back from a shoulder injury Aug. 9. He was able to make just one start after being activated from the IL, during which he tossed 57 pitches over two frames in his first start since mid-May. In a corresponding move, the Padres recalled Randy Vasquez from Triple-A El Paso on Thursday.