MLB Player News

Sasaki (shoulder/calf) allowed one walk and struck out two across a scoreless inning in a rehab appearance with Triple-A Oklahoma City on Thursday.

Sasaki began his rehab assignment as a starter but shifted to a relief role for Thursday's appearance, which also marked his return from a calf injury. He touched 100.1 mph during the appearance and averaged 98.9 mph with his fastball. Sasaki is likely to be back with the Dodgers after another appearance or two and Triple-A, but he isn't guaranteed a place on the playoff roster.

Priester allowed two runs on three hits and two walks while striking out 10 over 5.2 innings in a no-decision versus the Angels on Thursday.

Priester was good, but he left the game with the Brewers trailing 2-1, denying him a chance at the win while also falling an out short of a quality start. His lone mistake Thursday was a two-run home run to Luis Rengifo in the fifth inning. This was Priester's third 10-plus strikeout game, and he's allowed just six runs over 18 innings across his three starts in September to carry over his positive momentum from the end of August. The 25-year-old right-hander is now at a 3.25 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 128:49 K:BB through 152.1 innings over 28 appearances (23 starts) this season. His last outing of the regular season is projected to be a road start in San Diego next week.

Rea (10-7) allowed one run on four hits and struck out 11 without walking a batter over seven innings, taking the loss Thursday versus the Reds.

Rea was excellent, limiting the damage to a Will Benson RBI double in the fourth inning, but that was the lone run of the game. The Cubs offered Rea no support, as they got one-hit by Reds starter Hunter Greene a day after clinching a playoff spot. Rea picked up his first quality start since Aug. 9 versus the Cardinals, and this was the first time he's logged double-digit strikeouts all season. He's now at a 4.10 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 120:43 K:BB over 153.2 innings through 31 appearances (26 starts) this season. He'll likely get the chance to tie his career high in starts next week with his last projected outing of the regular season, set to be at home versus the Mets.

Greene (7-4) threw a shutout Thursday versus the Cubs, allowing one hit and one walk while striking out nine over nine innings.

This was the second shutout of Greene's career, with the other coming in his rookie year in 2022. He was perfect through four innings before Moises Ballesteros reached on an error to lead off the fifth. Greene then walked Michael Busch in the sixth and allowed a double to Seiya Suzuki in the seventh. Aside from a poor showing versus the Athletics last Saturday, Greene has been dominant in September, allowing a total of seven runs over 24.2 innings across his four starts this month to keep the Reds feasibly still in the hunt for a playoff spot. Greene is now at a 2.74 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 125:24 K:BB through 101.2 innings over 18 starts this season. He is projected to make his last start of the regular season at home versus the Pirates next week.

Sasaki (shoulder/calf) is scheduled to pitch in relief for Triple-A Oklahoma City on Thursday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Sasaki suffered a calf injury in his rehab appearance Sept. 9 and is also working his way back from a shoulder injury that has sidelined him for most of the season. His shift to a relief role is notable, as he could also be auditioning for a postseason roster spot as a bullpen arm.

Vasquez (5-7) took the loss Thursday against the Mets, allowing four runs on four hits and a walk across 2.1 innings. He struck out three.

After turning in back-to-back quality starts in his previous two outings, Vasquez struggled Thursday, giving up a solo homer to Pete Alonso in the first inning before allowing another three runs before departing in the third. Through 125.2 innings this year, Vasquez sports a 3.94 ERA with a 1.36 WHIP and 74:50 K:BB. He'll look to get back on track in his next start, tentatively scheduled for next week at home against the Brewers.

Tong (2-2) earned the win Thursday over San Diego, allowing one unearned run on four hits over five innings. He struck out eight.

After allowing six runs in just two-thirds of an inning during his previous start, Tong rebounded with an excellent effort against the Padres, logging a season high in strikeouts without issuing a walk. Through his first four MLB starts (16.2 innings), Tong has posted a 5.94 ERA with a 1.44 WHIP and 21:7 K:BB. He'll look to build on Thursday's performance his next time out, tentatively slated for next week on the road against the Cubs in what should be his final start of the regular season.

The Dodgers announced Thursday that Kershaw will retire after the conclusion of the 2025 season.

Kershaw has two more regular-season starts and should pitch in the postseason in some capacity, but after that he will call it a career. The 37-year-old has pitched well in his 18th and final campaign, posting a 3.53 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 71:30 K:BB over 102 innings covering 20 starts. He's won 222 games and his career 2.54 ERA leads all active pitchers. Kershaw has won three National League Cy Young awards, one NL MVP and has made 11 All-Star teams in what will undoubtedly result in enshrinement in the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

Manaea was placed on the paternity list Thursday.

Manaea and Clay Holmes had a successful piggyback start Tuesday, with Holmes pitching the first four innings and Manaea logging the final five frames en route to picking up the win. The 6-foot-5 lefty will spend a few days with his family before following the same script with Holmes on Sunday against the Nationals.

Jones (elbow) is playing catch from 60 feet three times per week, MLB.com reports.

Jones underwent surgery to repair the UCL in his elbow in mid-May. He was given a 10-to-12-month timeline for recovery at the time, and reports state that he is still on track to return to "game-like activities" in that range.