MLB Player News

Senzatela (elbow) threw between 30 and 35 pitches in a bullpen session Saturday, MLB.com reports.

Senzatela threw his fastball and changeup during the session with the goal of building up his stamina. He is expected to be cleared to throw breaking balls in the coming days, at which time he could also begin to face live hitters.

Marquez (elbow) allowed four earned runs on four hits and one walk while striking out one batter and recording just two outs Friday in a rehab outing with Triple-A Albuquerque.

After making two rehab starts in the rookie-level Arizona Complex League, one at Single-A Fresno and one at High-A Spokane, Marquez made his first start with the Rockies' top affiliate Friday, though things didn't go according to plan. He threw only 33 pitches in the short outing and will now require at least another rehab appearance or two to push up his workload before he's a realistic option to return from the 60-day injured list and join the big-league rotation. Marquez looks to be tracking toward a return shortly after the All-Star break, though that could change if he shows drastic improvement in his next outing with Albuquerque.

Blackmon went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts Saturday against the White Sox.

Blackmon was activated from the injured list after missing 11 days with a hamstring injury. He immediately retook the leadoff role for the Rockies, displacing Brenton Doyle from that spot in the order.

Schunk went 0-for-1 on Saturday against the White Sox.

Schunk entered Saturday's game as a pinch hitter in the ninth inning to make his major-league debut. He had his contract selected Friday, though it's unclear how much playing time he'll receive with Brendan Rodgers and Ryan McMahon locked in as starters at second base and third base, respectively.

Jones went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run Saturday against the White Sox.

Jones entered Saturday's game having collected just one hit across his last 15 at-bats. He ended that short slump with a two-run homer in the fifth inning, his second long ball since returning from the injured list June 14. Jones is still working on finding his rhythm this season after missing around six weeks due to knee and back injuries, but he is now hitting .250 since being activated.

Abrams went 2-for-3 with a solo home run, a double, a walk, two total runs and two total RBI in an 8-1 win against the Rays on Saturday.

Abrams didn't wait long to make his presence felt, swatting a 396-foot homer to lead off the contest. It was the 13th long ball of the campaign for the shortstop, and he's well on pace to surpass the 18 home runs he hit during his first full big-league season last year. Abrams hasn't been as successful as a runner this season -- he's just 13-for-22 in stolen-base attempts after going 47-for-51 in 2023 -- but he's otherwise shown growth in nearly every offensive category, slashing .278/.334/.498 with 20 doubles, five triples, 50 runs and 42 RBI through 328 plate appearances.

Irvin (6-6) earned the win over Tampa Bay on Saturday, allowing one run on one hit and three walks while striking out five batters over six innings.

Irvin served up a solo homer to Brandon Lowe in the first inning, but that was the only run -- and only hit -- he allowed in the contest. The right-hander recorded his seventh quality start over his past eight outings, and he's posted an excellent 2.09 ERA and 0.93 WHIP during that span. Irvin didn't seem like he'd be a fantasy factor this year after posting a 4.61 ERA and 1.42 WHIP as a rookie last season, but he's provided strong ratios with a 3.03 ERA and 1.06 WHIP along with an 86:23 K:BB across 98 frames.

Kelenic went 2-for-3 with a solo home run and a walk in Saturday's 2-1, extra-inning win against the Pirates.

Kelenic got to rookie phenom Paul Skenes for a solo homer to lead off the bottom of the first inning, though that was the only run Atlanta managed until Adam Duvall hit a walk-off single in the 10th frame. Kelenic has been hot of late, collecting three multi-hit efforts over his past five games. He's batting .474 (9-for-19) with two long balls, five RBI and a stolen base during that stretch.

Skenes allowed one run on six hits and two walks while striking out nine batters over six innings in a no-decision against Atlanta on Saturday.

Skenes surrendered a leadoff homer to Jarred Kelenic on his third pitch of the game, but that was the only run the talented rookie allowed. The right-handed hurler matched opposing ace Max Fried with a six-inning, six-hit, one-run line, though Skenes was more dominant with 13 whiffs and nine punchouts. Skenes has gotten stronger as he's settled into life in the big leagues. He's tossed four straight quality starts, posting a minuscule 1.07 ERA along with a 32:4 K:BB over 25.1 innings during that span.

Fried allowed one run on six hits and three walks while striking out four batters over six innings in a no-decision against Pittsburgh on Saturday.

Fried pitched very well in the contest, matching the six-inning, six-hit, one-run line put up by rookie phenom Paul Skenes for the Pirates. The Atlanta hurler has given up exactly one run in each of his past three starts, though he was just one win in that span. While Fried's strikeout numbers are down this season -- he has just 84 punchouts over 96 innings -- he's put up his usual ace-quality ratios otherwise with a 2.91 ERA and 1.09 WHIP through 16 starts.