MLB Player News

Mlodzinski struck out two batters over three perfect innings of relief in Wednesday's 5-4 extra-inning loss to the Giants.

Mlodzinski appeared to be in line to start or pitch in bulk relief for Thursday's series finale, but the Pirates instead summoned him from the bullpen Wednesday after starter Bubba Chandler and reliever Brandon Eisert covered the first six innings. The right-hander retired all nine batters he faced as the Pirates clawed back from a two-run deficit to extend the game to extras.

Molina is listed as the Giants' starting pitcher for Saturday's game against the Mets, Justice delos Santos of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

After being acquired from Atlanta at the trade deadline, Molina has allowed three runs with a 7:1 K:BB over 9.1 innings covering one start and one relief appearance since joining the Giants. The 24-year-old should get a long look in the San Francisco rotation during the final month of the regular season.

The Pirates are expected to activate Griffin (finger) from the 60-day injured list Friday, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

Griffin has rejoined the Pirates in Pittsburgh after going 3-for-11 in three rehab games, and he will return to the active roster Friday on the first day he's eligible. The rookie shortstop has been sidelined for the past two months with a torn sagittal band on his left ring finger. With Griffin taking back over at shortstop this weekend, Jacob Gonzalez could be mixed in some at third base down the stretch for the Pirates.

The Pirates optioned Sisk to Triple-A Indianapolis on Thursday, Aiden Stepansky of MLB.com reports.

Sisk coughed up three runs while recording only one out in his last appearance Tuesday versus the Giants and has an ugly 1:9 K:BB over his last five outings with the big club. Wilber Dotel will absorb Sisk's spot on the active roster.

The Pirates recalled Dotel from Triple-A Indianapolis on Thursday, Aiden Stepansky of MLB.com reports.

The Pirates desperately need a fresh arm to cover innings in the bullpen, and Dotel should be first in line for that assignment. He's collected a 4.71 ERA and 31:13 K:BB over 28.2 frames covering 15 appearances out of the big-league bullpen this season. The Pirates could call on him to cover multiple innings in Thursday's game against the Giants once opener Lake Bachar exits the game.

Valdez is absent from the lineup for Thursday's game against the Giants.

After going 1-for-9 with six strikeouts in the first two games of the series, Valdez will take a seat in Thursday's finale. Bryan Reynolds has shifted over to right field, and Jake Mangum will cover left field for the Pirates.

Whitcomb went 1-for-4 with a double in Wednesday's 5-4 extra-inning win over the Pirates.

Whitcomb hit a leadoff double in the fifth inning, marking his second two-bagger of the season. The 27-year-old has appeared in 10 straight games since being recalled from Triple-A Sacramento on Aug. 24, batting .118 with three RBI, two runs scored and a home run in 36 plate appearances during that time. Across 60 plate appearances between Houston and San Francisco this season, he's slashing .123/.138/.316 with eight RBI, four runs scored and three long balls.

Seymour logged a blown save in Wednesday's 5-4 extra-inning win over the Pirates, allowing one run on two hits while striking out one in 1.2 innings.

Seymour entered the game in the seventh inning with two runners on base and one out. The right-hander managed to get through the eighth frame, though he gave up a double and a single as Pittsburgh tied the game at 3-3. Despite Wednesday's stumble, the 27-year-old has fared well over his last 10 outings, posting a 1.38 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 13:3 K:BB across 13 innings during that time.

Lord didn't factor into the decision in Wednesday's 9-0 loss to Atlanta, allowing two hits and a walk over 3.1 scoreless innings. He struck out six.

A nearly 90-minute rain delay ended what was shaping up to be an unlikely pitcher's duel, as Lord's dominant performance was matched by three perfect innings from Grant Holmes. Lord may have been nearing his limit anyway, however -- the right-hander tossed 39 of 55 pitches for strikes, and he hasn't thrown 60-plus pitches in any outing this season. He'll likely return to a long-relief role, but Lord's making a case to get stretched out for another crack at the rotation, having posted a 2.40 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 18:8 K:BB over 15 innings since the beginning of August.

Murphy went 2-for-4 with a walk, a home run, two runs scored and four RBI in Wednesday's 9-0 win over the Nationals.

The veteran catcher has caught fire at the plate now that he's fully healthy for the first time in a few years. Murphy has hit safely in five straight games, batting .500 (9-for-18) during that heater with two doubles, three homers, seven runs and seven RBI. His surge has allowed Drake Baldwin to get more rest while serving as Atlanta's primary DH, and Murphy should continue to see regular playing time as the team tries to keep its key players fresh for the playoffs.