MLB Player News

Ray (9-6) picked up the win Saturday, allowing six hits and two walks over six scoreless innings in a 9-2 victory over the Angels. He struck out five.

The veteran southpaw tossed 54 of 80 pitches for strikes en route to his eighth quality start of the season. Ray could be on the move at the trade deadline, and he's doing what he can to improve the return the Giants might get for him -- over his last seven starts he's held the opposition to one earned run or fewer six times, posting a 1.04 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 35:20 K:BB in 43.1 innings while serving up just one home run. Ray will look to stay locked in during his next outing, which currently lines up to come on the road next week in San Diego.

Keller took a no-decision Saturday against the Yankees, allowing one run on two hits and no walks in three innings. He struck out three.

Making his major-league debut, Keller fared well on the bump while acting as a long reliever Saturday. Austin Wells tagged the 32-year-old right-hander for a solo home run in the third inning, but Keller was impressive otherwise against a formidable Yankees lineup. Philadelphia has had a hard time finding stability out of their fifth rotation spot since sending Andrew Painter down to the minors for seasoning, but Keller is tentatively lined up to take the ball next in Baltimore for now.

The Dodgers plan to activate Diaz (elbow) from the 60-day injured list Wednesday, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

Diaz landed on the IL on April 20 and underwent surgery to remove loose bodies from his right elbow just a couple of days later. After a lengthy layoff, the veteran right-hander looks just about ready to rejoin the Dodgers while he's turned in a productive rehab assignment thus far. He'll make a final appearance Sunday with Triple-A Oklahoma City after pitching to a 1.80 ERA, 0.60 WHIP and 9:1 K:BB in five innings over his first six minor-league outings. Diaz should eventually reclaim the Dodgers' closer role from Tanner Scott, though the former could be eased back into the mix with a couple lower-leverage appearances upon his activation.

The Dodgers plan to activate Hernandez (oblique) from the 10-day injured list Tuesday, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

Hernandez began the season on the injured list while recovering from elbow surgery, then appeared in two games for the Dodgers in late May before landing right back on the IL after straining his left oblique. The veteran utility player has made good progress in his recovery over the past two months and looks ready to rejoin the big club after going 7-for-21 with a home run and a pair of doubles over six rehab games at Triple-A Oklahoma City. Once activated, Hernandez will likely be in store for a limited role, with most of his starts expected to come against left-handed pitching.

Perez (5-8) took the loss Saturday against San Diego, allowing three runs on seven hits and one walk in seven innings. He struck out two.

It was a bit of a hard-luck loss for Perez, who delivered his fourth consecutive quality start. The hard-throwing right-hander opened the campaign with a 4.60 ERA through his first 11 outings but has been outstanding since coming off the injured list in late June, holding a 1.75 ERA, 0.86 WHIP and 34:10 K:BB over his last six appearances (36 innings). Perez will bring a 3.56 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 106:38 K:BB across 98.2 frames overall into his next scheduled start against the last-place Mets, who will be without superstar Juan Soto (calf).

Sears (3-3) notched the win Saturday against Miami, allowing no runs on one hit and one walk in 3.1 innings. He struck out three.

Pitching behind Randy Vasquez as a bulk reliever, Sears thrived while scattering one single across 3.1 scoreless frames. Saturday disrupted a string of five consecutive starts for the 30-year-old left-hander, whose role with the Padres appears uncertain going forward. Sears, who sports a 3.86 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 23:9 K:BB over 28 innings for San Diego since being recalled from Triple-A El Paso, could maintain some streaming appeal in fantasy leagues if he takes his next scheduled turn in the rotation against the Giants.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said that Ohtani (knee) "kicked the can" on his scheduled bullpen session Saturday, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

With Ohtani's knee still not feeling 100 percent after first throwing out of the bullpen Wednesday, the 31-year-old decided to cancel his slated bullpen session Saturday. Manager Dave Roberts is still confident that Ohtani will pitch again this season. Despite his knee problems, Ohtani will continue to serve as the Dodgers' designated hitter.

Lowe is out of the lineup for Pittsburgh's matchup against the Cubs on Saturday.

Lowe will ride the bench after going hitless with a walk and a strikeout in four plate appearances during the series opener against Chicago on Friday. Nick Gonzales will move over to second base and bat second for Pittsburgh.

Crooks isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Reds, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

Crooks went 1-for-3 with a double during Friday's series opener and will now move to the bench to begin Saturday's contest. Ivan Herrera will fill in behind the dish, giving Bryan Torres an opportunity to work as St. Louis' designated hitter.

Steer isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against St. Louis.

Steer will get a chance to regroup Saturday after going 0-for-14 over his last four games. His absence will allow Noelvi Marte to start in right field, batting sixth.