MLB Player News

Fried (7-1) earned the win over St. Louis on Thursday, allowing three runs on six hits and two walks while striking out four batters over six innings.

Fried came into Thursday having allowed just two runs over 13 frames while striking out 18 batters in his previous two starts. He wasn't quite as effective against the Cardinals, but he pitched well enough to notch his third straight quality start and victory. All of the runs Fried gave up came in the second inning, when St. Louis tagged him for half of the six overall hits he allowed. The southpaw has been very effective across his 12 starts this season, posting a 2.70 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 67:15 K:BB over 66.2 frames.

Pepiot (2-0) earned the win Thursday, allowing one hit over seven scoreless innings against Miami. He struck out three without issuing any walks.

The 26-year-old was perfect through 6.2 innings before Josh Bell grounded a single up the middle. Pepiot tallied only three strikeouts for the second consecutive outing, but he was extremely efficient, needing just 84 pitches (60 strikes) to complete seven frames for the first time in his young career. After posting a 6.7 BB/9 in his first stint in the big-leagues last year, Pepiot has issued just two walks in 21 innings this season with a sterling 0.86 ERA and minuscule 0.52 WHIP. The rookie is currently scheduled for a home matchup against the Padres early next week.

Betts exited Thursday's game against the Marlins with a foot injury, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Betts fouled a ball off his foot and initially remained in the game. Once the result was in hand, Betts exited in the eighth frame and was seen leaving the stadium on crutches. X-rays came back negative, so it's possible that he makes a quick return to the lineup.

Assad (3-3) allowed three runs on seven hits across 5.1 innings to take the loss Thursday against the Diamondbacks. He walked one and didn't have any strikeouts.

Assad pitched OK, but he couldn't match his last two starts, when he went seven innings each time and allowed just one earned run overall. The righty has been pushed into the rotation with Marcus Stroman (hip) out and Drew Smyly getting shifted into the bullpen. Assad has been solid all year with a 2.83 ERA across 92.1 innings, and he'll look to stay sharp in his next start, which is currently penciled in for next week against the Rockies at Coors Field.

Ritter was promoted to Double-A Hartford on Thursday.

Ritter began the season at Single-A Fresno but has now jumped two levels. He's shown promise by piling up a combined 24 home runs and 17 stolen bases in 496 plate appearances on the campaign. On the other hand, he struck at a 34.3 percent clip at High-A Spokane before his promotion.

Rosario is expected to be promoted to the Padres' major-league roster Friday, Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Rosario missed the first four months of the season with an ankle injury and has been with Triple-A El Paso since. Across 187 plate appearances, he's maintained a .770 OPS with four stolen bases, though he's also been caught four times. His fit on the big-league roster is currently unclear, but his ability to play multiple infield positions could help him find playing time.

Profar is expected to have his contract selected by the Padres on Friday, Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Profar joined the Padres on a minor-league deal Sept. 1 after being let go by the Rockies. It's unclear what type of role he may have down the stretch, particularly because he struggled to a .236/.316/.364 line across 471 plate appearances in Colorado.

Grove (lat) is set to begin a rehab assignment Thursday with Triple-A Oklahoma City.

It has already been determined that Grove will be returning to the Dodgers as a reliever, so this should be a relatively brief rehab stint even though he's been sidelined for over a month due to lat tightness. The 26-year-old right-hander carries a 6.61 ERA and 67:18 K:BB in 64 major-league innings (12 starts, three relief appearances) this season with Los Angeles.

Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said Thursday that Carlson (oblique/ankle) is taking light batting practice and doing defensive work, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

Carlson has been sidelined since mid-August due to both a left oblique strain and a lingering left ankle injury, but he seems to have a good shot at returning to the active roster in the closing weeks of the regular season. He's posted a disappointing .219/.318/.333 batting line with five homers and three steals across 76 games this year for St. Louis.

Gurriel is not in the lineup Thursday versus the Cubs.

Gurriel went 2-for-5 with a homer and two RBI in the Diamondbacks' rout of the Rockies on Wednesday, but he'll grab some rest during Thursday's series opener at Wrigley Field. Tommy Pham, Alek Thomas and Corbin Carroll are starting across the outfield while Pavin Smith fills the DH role.