MLB Player News

Palencia earned the save in Thursday's 3-0 win over the Cardinals, allowing one hit while striking out three in a scoreless ninth inning.

Palencia was summoned to protect a three-run lead and worked around a double and a hit batter by striking out the next three hitters to close things out. Through eight June appearances, the 26-year-old has converted all three of his save chances while allowing two earned runs and posting an 11:1 K:BB. He's 8-for-9 in save opportunities this season with a 1.86 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 33:10 K:BB across 29 innings.

Ohtani went 1-for-3 with a solo home run and a walk in Thursday's 3-1 win over the Rockies.

Ohtani's bat is heating up again, as he's gone 5-for-14 with three homers and eight RBI over his last four games. A trip to Colorado's thin air to visit the Rockies' poor pitching certainly helps the cause. Ohtani is up to 28 homers on the year, including six over 24 contests in a relatively tame June for the superstar. He's added a .291/.392/.633 slash line, 52 RBI, 80 runs scored, 12 doubles, six triples and 11 stolen bases across 80 games this season. Ohtani will look to keep mashing as the Dodgers begin a three-game road trip in Kansas City, which is also expected to include his next pitching appearance this weekend.

Scott walked one and struck out one in a scoreless and hitless inning to earn the save in Thursday's 3-1 win over the Rockies.

Scott has six saves and two holds over his last eight appearances, a span in which he's allowed two runs (one earned) over 8.1 innings. The walk he issued Thursday was just the fifth he's permitted all season, but he was able to erase the mistake with a game-ending double play. Scott is at a 3.55 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 41 strikeouts over 38 innings while adding 17 saves, seven holds and five blown saves while working as Los Angeles' main closing option.

Kershaw (4-0) allowed one run on two hits and a walk while striking out five over six innings to earn the win Thursday over the Rockies.

Kershaw opened his season with four straight no-decisions and has followed that up with four consecutive wins. During the winning streak, he's allowed a total of four runs over 23 innings while posting a 21:4 K:BB. The southpaw is at a 3.03 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 29:13 K:BB over 38.2 innings through eight starts this season. Kershaw is in line for another favorable matchup next week, when he's projected for a home start versus the White Sox.

The Pirates designated Stratton for assignment Thursday.

Stratton lost his spot in Pittsburgh's bullpen Tuesday, and he'll now be pushed off the 40-man roster entirely to create room for Genesis Cabrera, who inked an MLB deal with the Pirates on Thursday. Stratton owns a 4.30 ERA through 52.1 career innings in the majors and carries a 3.91 ERA in Triple-A this year, so he could still land with another team via waivers.

The Pirates optioned Darrell-Hicks to Triple-A Indianapolis on Thursday.

Just two days after coming up from the minors, Darrell-Hicks will head back to Indianapolis to make room for the newly signed Genesis Cabrera. Darrell-Hicks has given up eight earned runs over 9.2 innings during his time in the big leagues this year, and his Triple-A performance hasn't been much better (8.14 ERA through 24.1 IP).

Cabrera signed a one-year contract with the Pirates on Thursday.

Cabrera will stay put in the NL Central after being designated for assignment by the Cubs on Saturday, and he'll immediately fill in as a big-league bullpen piece for Pittsburgh. The 28-year-old southpaw owns a 6.35 ERA and 1.35 WHIP through 17 innings on the season, so he'll likely be limited to low-leverage work to begin his tenure with the Buccos, though that could change if he begins to return to form. Michael Darrell-Hicks was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis to make room for Cabrera on the active roster, and Hunter Stratton was DFA'd to clear a 40-man spot.

Sanchez did not factor into the decision in Thursday's 2-1 loss to the Astros, allowing one run on five hits and no walks with 11 strikeouts over six innings.

Sanchez allowed a run in the second inning but was otherwise dominant, throwing 69 of 99 pitches for strikes and generating 17 whiffs. The southpaw capped off an exceptional June with his fifth straight quality start, and he hasn't issued a walk in any of his past three outings. He'll carry a 2.79 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 103:28 K:BB across 93.2 innings into a home matchup with the Padres next week.

Winker (oblique) will begin a rehab assignment with High-A Brooklyn on Sunday, Andrew Tredinnick of The Bergen Record reports.

Winker was officially cleared for rehab games after taking batting practice at Citi Field on Thursday. The 31-year-old is eligible for activation from the 60-day injured list July 4 and has a good shot to return on that date. Winker has been shelved since early May with a Grade 2 oblique strain. Upon his return, Winker should see plenty of action at designated hitter versus right-handed pitching.

Baldwin isn't in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Mets.

Baldwin will grab a seat on the bench Thursday after belting his ninth home run of the season during Wednesday's loss. While he rests, Sean Murphy will start behind the dish and bat fifth.