MLB Player News

Kopech (knee) will begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A Oklahoma City on Thursday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Kopech will be pitching in a competitive setting for the first time since he landed on the injured list July 1 due to a torn meniscus, which required surgery. The Dodgers haven't revealed how many minor-league appearances the 29-year-old will need before being activated, though he could be ready to rejoin the Los Angeles bullpen by the end of the month.

Gallen did not factor into the decision Wednesday against the Rangers, allowing three runs on five hits and two walks over five innings. He struck out one.

It's the first time in five starts that Gallen's failed to make it through six innings -- the right-hander had won his previous two outings, giving up just three runs over 12 innings in that span. Overall, Gallen's ERA sits at 5.31 with a 1.35 WHIP and 131:52 K:BB across 25 starts (144 innings) this season. He's currently lined up to face the Guardians at home his next time out.

Marte went 4-for-5 with a three-run homer and an additional RBI in Wednesday's 6-4 win over the Rangers.

Marte's fourth hit Wednesday proved to be the decisive blow in Arizona's victory. With two outs in the ninth inning, the second baseman launched a 413-foot homer off Phil Maton to put the D-Backs ahead for good. Marte has now homered in back-to-back games after hitting just one home run in his previous 15 contests. He's gone 10-for-22 (.455) in his last five games, boosting his slash line to .297/.398/.558 with 23 long balls, 54 RBI and 66 runs scored across 387 plate appearances this season.

Muncy was scratched from the lineup ahead of Wednesday's game versus the Angels due to right side soreness, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Muncy's side began bothering him while he was hitting in the cages prior to Wednesday's contest, so the Dodgers decided to sit him down as a precaution. The 34-year-old is being considered day-to-day for now, and he'll benefit from an additional day off Thursday to recover before Los Angeles begins a three-game series against San Diego.

Saalfrank delivered a perfect ninth inning Wednesday to record the save in a 6-4 victory over the Rangers.

With Jalen Beeks unavailable after pitching Tuesday and Kyle Backhus working in the seventh inning, it was Saalfrank who got the call for the save after Arizona took the lead with four runs in the top half of the ninth inning. The left-hander got the job done, setting down the top of the Rangers order to earn his first major-league save. The 27-year-old Saalfrank has been impressive since rejoining the Diamondbacks in early July. He's allowed just one run while striking out nine in his first 14 MLB innings this year, establishing himself as a high-leverage option down the stretch.

Lowe went 1-for-3 with two walks and a grand slam in Wednesday's 8-7 win over the Royals.

He got the fireworks started by hooking a Seth Lugo curveball over the fence in the right-field corner in the first inning. It was Lowe's first homer since July 19, ending a 20-game power drought, and his 16th of the season. The veteran first baseman still has some work to do to put his slump behind him, however -- in 23 contests since the All-Star break, he's batting only .160 (12-for-75) with three doubles, two long balls and seven RBI.

Irvin didn't factor into the decision in Wednesday's 8-7 win over the Royals, surrendering six runs on seven hits and four walks over four innings. He struck out three.

The Nationals staked Irvin to a 5-0 lead before he even took the mound for the bottom of the first inning, but the right-hander did his best to squander it, eventually getting the hook after 83 pitches (46 strikes). It's the third time in five starts since the All-Star break that Irvin has been tagged for at least five runs, a stretch in which he's stumbled to a 7.88 ERA, 1.79 WHIP and 11:9 K:BB over 24 innings. The rebuilding Nationals don't have any obvious candidates to replace him in the rotation, however. Irvin is scheduled to make his next trip to the mound at home early next week against the Mets.

Muncy was scratched from the lineup ahead of Wednesday's game against the Angels.

Muncy will be pushed out of the lineup in order to make room for Mookie Betts, who was originally in line for a day off Wednesday. Alex Freeland will start at third base in Muncy's place with Miguel Rojas at second and Betts at shortstop.

Vodnik didn't record a strikeout in a perfect ninth inning Wednesday to earn the save in a 6-5 win over St. Louis.

Vodnik earned the save for a second straight day -- he set the Cardinals down on ten pitches Wednesday after recording five outs on 27 pitches in Tuesday's victory. With Seth Halvorsen (elbow) sidelined, the 25-year-old Vodnik looks to be the preferred ninth-inning option for Colorado, despite coming into the day with a 9.00 ERA in his previous eight innings. Overall, Vodnik sports a 3.72 ERA with a 1.54 WHIP and 38 strikeouts through 36.1 innings this season.

Betts will start at shortstop and bat second Wednesday against the Angels.

Betts was left off the initial lineup card the Dodgers handed in Wednesday, but he'll end up back in the starting nine and aim to extend his hitting streak to eight games. Max Muncy will step out of the lineup to make room for Betts, shifting Alex Freeland to third base and Miguel Rojas to second.