MLB Player News

Halvorsen was removed from Saturday's game against Pittsburgh due to an apparent injury, Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post reports.

Halvorsen entered in a non-save situation, taking over in the ninth inning with Colorado up 8-4. He tossed only five pitches, working the count on Spencer Horwitz to 3-2, before being pulled. It's not clear what caused Halvorsen's exit, though the Rockies may have an update after the game. The 25-year-old had settled in as the team's closer, tallying five saves in five chances in July. Rookie Dugan Darnell took over for Halvorsen on Saturday, but if the latter needs to miss time, Victor Vodnik -- who has 11 saves over the past two campaigns, including two this year -- could be the lead candidate for ninth-inning duties.

Hoerner went 3-for-4 with a double and two RBI in Saturday's 4-3 loss to the Orioles.

Getting a rare start at shortstop while Dansby Swanson received a day off, Hoerner banged out three of the Cubs' eight hits on the afternoon, with two of them bringing home runs. It was Hoerner's sixth multi-hit performance in 14 games since the All-Star break, a stretch in which the 28-year-old infielder is batting .358 (19-for-53) with a homer, three steals, seven runs and seven RBI.

Boyd came away with a no-decision in Saturday's 4-3 loss to the Orioles, scattering four hits over seven scoreless innings. He struck out eight without walking a batter.

The veteran lefty was absolutely dominant, racking up 37 called or swinging strikes over 92 pitches (68 total strikes), and the only runner Baltimore got into scoring position off Boyd came when Adley Rutschman doubled with two outs in the fourth inning. The Cubs' bullpen couldn't make a 3-0 lead hold up however, coughing up four runs in the eighth as soon as Boyd left the mound. He's held the opposition off the scoreboard in five of his last seven outings, posting a dazzling 1.40 ERA, 0.82 WHIP and 39:8 K:BB over 45 innings during that stretch, and he'll look to keep rolling in his next start, which is scheduled to come on the road next weekend in St. Louis.

The Cardinals optioned Fermin to Triple-A Memphis on Saturday.

Fermin will be sent back to the minors following Lars Nootbaar's (ribs) return from the injured list. Fermin has gone 7-for-20 with a homer, two RBI and two runs scored through 12 games in the majors this season and also boasts a .902 OPS through 252 Triple-A plate appearances. His productive bat and versatile glove make him a candidate to return to St. Louis when rosters expand in September.

Snell (1-1) took the loss Saturday as the Dodgers fell 4-0 loss to the Rays, giving up three runs on five hits over five innings. He struck out eight without walking a batter.

Making his first big-league start since April 2 due to shoulder trouble, Snell pitched well and generated 19 swinging strikes over 82 pitches (57 total strikes), but the Dodgers offense couldn't solve Drew Rasmussen and the Rays bullpen. Yandy Diaz proved to be the southpaw's nemesis in this one, taking him deep in the first and third innings. A healthy Snell would give the Dodgers' rotation a huge boost for the stretch run, and the team plans to deploy a six-man rotation to try and keep him -- as well as Shohei Ohtani, Tyler Glasnow and Clayton Kershaw -- on the mound. As a result, Snell lines up to make his next start at home next weekend against the Blue Jays.

The Cardinals reinstated Nootbaar (ribs) from the injured list Saturday.

Nootbaar has been on the injured list since mid-July with a left costochondral sprain but has played three rehab games in Double-A, going 4-for-14 with an RBI and a run scored. Now fully recovered, he'll reclaim an everyday role in the Cardinals' outfield and replace Jose Fermin on the active roster.

Frelick was removed from Saturday's game against the Nationals due to left knee soreness.

The Brewers are labeling Frelick's removal as precautionary, which could signal that his injury is relatively minor. If the 25-year-old ends up having to miss any amount of time, Brandon Lockridge would be the likely choice to pick up starts in right field.

Durbin isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Nationals.

Durbin will catch a breather Saturday after going 3-for-6 with two runs scored during Friday's high-scoring victory. Anthony Seigler will replace him at the hot corner and bat eighth.

The Reds reinstated Friedl (personal) from the restricted list Saturday.

Friedl moved to the restricted list Friday to allow him extra time to report to the club after going on paternity leave. Now back with the Reds, he'll serve as the 27th man for the Speedway Classic against Atlanta, but there is little chance he ends up as the player headed back to Triple-A following Saturday's game.

The Reds optioned Richardson to Triple-A Louisville following Friday's game against Atlanta.

Richardson will cede his spot on the 26-man active roster to right-hander Zack Littell, whom Cincinnati acquired from Tampa Bay prior to Thursday's trade deadline. Richardson has spent most of the season in the majors and has a 4.15 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 27:19 K:BB across 34.2 innings this season out of the bullpen.