MLB Player News

Turner went 2-for-3 with two walks, a run scored and a stolen base in Saturday's 10-3 loss to the Mets.

The star shortstop was busy on the basepaths Saturday but is struggling to build any momentum ahead of the playoffs. Turner has collected multiple hits in four of his last 11 games, but over that stretch he's batting just .256 (11-for-43) with two homers, three steals, five RBI and eight runs. Turner needs one more homer to record the fourth 20-20 campaign of his career.

The Phillies informed Kerkering following Saturday's game that he will be optioned to Triple-A Lehigh Valley, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

Kerkering was told bluntly that the team can no longer pitch him with so much on the line and just seven games remaining in the regular season. The right-hander gave up four runs over one inning in Saturday's loss, bringing his ERA to 4.97 over 58 frames for the year. His ERA is now over 9.00 since the All-Star break.

Painter (3-10) took the loss Saturday, giving up four runs on four hits and a walk over 5.1 innings as the Phillies fell 10-3 to the Mets. He struck out seven.

The rookie right-hander struck out six or more batters for the fifth time in his last six starts, but homers by Carson Benge in the second inning and Francisco Alvarez in the fifth accounted for all the damage off Painter and put New York in the lead for good. Over that six-start stretch, Painter has put together a 3.57 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 36:10 K:BB through 35.1 innings. He's scheduled to make his final start of the regular season at home next weekend against the Rays.

Ashby struck out one in a perfect ninth inning Saturday to record his third save of the season in a 1-0 win over the Orioles.

With Trevor Megill having pitched three of the prior four days and blowing a save chance Friday, Milwaukee turned to Ashby to handle the ninth after Abner Uribe worked a scoreless eighth inning. Ashby is having a shaky September of his own, getting scored upon in three of his last seven appearances, and on the month he sports a 3.48 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 8:4 K:BB in 10.1 innings. The left-hander remains firmly in the high-leverage mix however, and over 73 appearances this season he's pocketed 13 wins and 15 holds to go along with his saves.

Gasser (5-5) picked up the win Saturday, allowing three hits and three walks over seven scoreless innings in a 1-0 victory over the Orioles. He struck out two.

Baltimore got runners to third base twice against Gasser, including a bases-loaded, one-out situation in the sixth inning, but both times the southpaw escaped without taking any damage. It was his fifth quality start of the season and first since Aug. 14, and his 107 pitches (64 strikes) were a career high. Gasser will take a 4.01 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 94:34 K:BB through 103.1 innings into his final outing of the regular season, which lines up to come at home next weekend against the Cardinals.

Ohtani (knee/biceps) progressed to taking simulated at-bats off the Dodgers' Trajekt machine Saturday, Jack Harris of the California Post reports.

Ohtani ran the bases on the field Saturday and is also taking simulated at-bats as he gears up for a potential return during the final week of the regular season. It's uncertain whether he will return Wednesday against San Diego when first eligible, but hitting coach Aaron Bates said that Ohtani has looked noticeably less compromised when swinging at full intensity than he did before landing on the 15-day IL.

Hentges (forearm) was activated from the 15-day injured list Saturday, Justice delos Santos of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

The lefty is ready to return from a forearm strain after a lone rehab outing with Triple-A Sacramento on Friday. Hentges, who owns a 3.27 ERA and 1.61 WHIP with 10 holds in 40 relief appearances with the Giants this season, replaces Reiver Sanmartin (oblique) on the active roster.

The Giants placed Sanmartin on the 15-day injured list Saturday, retroactive to Sept. 17, with a right oblique strain, Justice delos Santos of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Sanmartin pitched well during his latest stint in the majors, posting a 1.54 ERA and 0.94 WHIP over 11.2 innings spanning 14 appearances after his Aug. 20 recall. Unfortunately for the lefty, this injury will end his 2026 season. Sam Hentges (forearm) replaces Sanmartin on the roster and in the San Francisco bullpen.

Ohtani (knee/biceps) did some baserunning during the Dodgers' on-field batting practice Saturday, Jack Harris of the California Post reports.

This marks the first time Ohtani has worked out on the field in front of the media since he went on the 15-day injured list last week. His stint was backdated to Sept. 8, meaning the Japanese slugger is eligible to return this coming Wednesday, though it's uncertain if he will be ready by then. Ohtani figures to push to play in at least a few more regular-season games as a final tuneup before the playoffs.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Saturday that Sasaki (finger) will return during next week's series against the Padres, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

Sasaki made it through an extended side session Wednesday (48 pitches) and is now ready to return, though the team is still undecided on whether he will start or pitch multiple innings out of the bullpen against San Diego. While the 24-year-old has shown flashes of brilliance, he has a 4.60 ERA and 1.7 HR/9 this season. A bullpen role in the postseason seems likely for a Dodgers club chasing its third straight championship.