MLB Player News

Junis allowed two runs (one earned) on four hits and one walk while striking out five batters over four innings in bulk relief against the Rockies in Game 2 of a doubleheader Saturday.

Scott Alexander started for San Francisco and got two outs before Junis entered in the first frame with a runner on second base. Junis surrendered a single to allow the inherited runner to score, and he yielded two runs of his own in the third inning before departing with two outs in the fifth. The right-hander has bounced between opening and pitching in bulk relief lately, tossing more than one frame in each of his past five outings. However, he hasn't pitched more than four innings in any appearance this season, and he's recorded just one decision -- a win -- over his past 22 games despite pitching to a solid 3.47 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 51:5 K:BB over 49.1 frames during that span.

Kinley earned a save against the Giants in the nightcap of a doubleheader Saturday, allowing two hits and one walk while striking out one batter over one scoreless inning.

Kinley got the call with the Rockies up three runs in the ninth inning and made things interesting, loading the bases on a pair of singles and a walk. However, he was able to get Blake Sabol to pop out to end the contest and nail down the save. Kinley has moved into the primary closer role for Colorado in September, notching four saves in five chances while allowing two runs on six hits and posting a 4:3 K:BB over seven frames.

Heyward went 4-for-5 with three doubles in Saturday's 6-2 extra-innings win over the Mariners.

Heyward was solid, but the Dodgers couldn't bring him home or set the table for him in this contest. He's hit .440 (22-for-50) over his last 16 games, tallying three home runs, five doubles and nine RBI in that span. He's at a .277/.353/.493 slash line with 14 homers, 38 RBI, 54 runs scored, 21 doubles and two stolen bases through 112 contests this year, finding success in a strong-side platoon role.

Kershaw allowed two hits and two walks while striking out four over four scoreless innings in a no-decision versus the Mariners on Saturday.

Kershaw was coming off of having his turn skipped due to a left shoulder issue. He ended up working a short start, throwing 56 pitches (34 strikes) before turning the ball over to Emmet Sheehan, who followed up with three more scoreless innings. Kershaw has dealt with the shoulder troubles throughout the second half of the campaign, and with the Dodgers clinching the NL West on Saturday, he may be given additional time off before the playoffs. He's pitched to a 2.52 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 127:36 K:BB through 121.1 innings over 22 starts this season, matching the number of appearances he's made in each of the previous two campaigns. He's tentatively projected for a home outing against the Giants his next time out.

Freeland injured his oblique during Saturday's start in Game 2 of a doubleheader against San Francisco and is unlikely to pitch again in 2023, per MLB.com.

Freeland initially felt pain in the second inning but finished out that frame and one more before exiting. He allowed a run on four hits and one walk while striking out one batter prior to his departure. The veteran hurler acknowledged after the contest that his season is likely over, saying, "It's the right move to get me out and get healthy through the rest of the season, and go into the offseason healthy." If Freeland has indeed thrown his last pitch of 2023, he'll finish with a 6-14 record, 5.03 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 94:42 K:BB over 155.2 innings. He's signed with Colorado through 2026.

Hoerner went 2-for-5 with two walks, two RBI, one stolen base and one run scored in Saturday's 7-6 extra-innings loss to the Diamondbacks.

Hoerner's hitting streak is up to 11 games, during which he's gone 18-for-48 (.375) with five steals but just one extra-base hit. He's tied for fifth in the majors with 41 steals this season, more than double his previous career high (20), which was set last year. Hoerner is slashing .286/.345/.391 with nine home runs, 64 RBI, 92 runs scored, 26 doubles and four triples through 139 contests overall.

Hendricks allowed three runs on seven hits and a walk while striking out three over 5.1 innings in a no-decision versus the Diamondbacks on Saturday.

Hendricks has pitched into the sixth inning without completing it in three straight starts. He's allowed 10 runs (nine earned) over 16.1 innings in that span, though he's also recorded a 12:2 K:BB in September. The right-hander has continued to provide decent but not outstanding work this year, posting a 3.77 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 86:22 K:BB through 126.2 innings across 22 starts. He's lined up for a home start versus the Rockies in his next outing.

Gurriel went 3-for-5 with three RBI in Saturday's 7-6 extra-innings win over the Cubs.

This was Gurriel's second three-RBI game in a row. It's also his fifth multi-hit game in September, a month in which he's gone 18-for-56 (.321), a strong performance to keep Arizona in the playoff race. The outfielder is batting .261 with a .786 OPS, 24 home runs, 80 RBI, 63 runs scored and four stolen bases over 134 contests this year. He needs four more RBI to match his career high from 2021.

Davies allowed three runs on five hits and two walks while striking out five over four innings in a no-decision versus the Cubs on Saturday.

Davies has labored over his last three starts, allowing 11 runs across 11 innings, going no more than four innings in each of those appearances. The 30-year-old right-hander is now at a 6.81 ERA, 1.61 WHIP and 69:38 K:BB through 79.1 innings across 17 starts this season. He's projected for a road start versus the Yankees next weekend.

Hollowell earned a save in Game 1 of Saturday's doubleheader against the Giants, allowing two runs on two hits and one walk while striking out two batters over 2.2 innings.

Hollowell took over with one out and two runners on base with Colorado leading 7-3 in the seventh. He induced an inning-ending double play, and the Rockies opted to ride him the rest of the way rather than call upon other bullpen arms with the nightcap looming. Hollowell surrendered a run in the eighth and another in the ninth but had a nice cushion to work with and cruised to his first career save. He's posted a 25:15 K:BB over 26.2 frames and has been used as more of a low-leverage option this season, so it's unlikely that he sees many more save chances down the stretch.