MLB Player News

Soto didn't allow a baserunner across one inning to earn a hold Friday against the Rays.

Soto entered the game in the eighth inning with the Pirates up by two runs. He's remained very sharp all season, allowing only one earned run across 10.2 innings while maintaining a 15:5 K:BB. However, Soto has now pitched in the seventh or eighth inning in five consecutive appearances, suggesting Dennis Santana is the primary option for saves at this point.

Soriano (5-0) allowed two hits and four walks while striking out eight over 5.2 shutout innings to earn the win Friday over the Padres.

Soriano fell short of a quality start for the first time this season, but he's still picked up a win in all five outings so far. The four walks matched his season high from Opening Day versus the Astros, but that's about the only complaint to be had with his performance. The right-hander has a tiny 0.28 ERA, 0.73 WHIP and 39:13 K:BB across 32.2 innings so far. The walk rate is a concern in the long run, but he's consistently shown an ability to limit home runs as a groundball pitcher. He'll see his luck fade at some point, but he looks like the Angels' clear ace early in 2026. Soriano is tentatively projected to make his next start at home versus the Blue Jays.

Waldron (0-1) allowed six runs on eight hits, a walk and a hit batsman over 3.2 innings Friday, taking the loss versus the Angels. He struck out four.

Waldron missed time due to hemorrhoid surgery in late February. The knuckleballer didn't have success in his major-league season debut as the Angels got to him in the second and fourth innings. The right-hander was limited to just one big-league start in 2025, allowing four runs over 4.2 innings, and he pitched to a 6.67 ERA over 82.1 innings across 18 starts with Triple-A El Paso last year. There's an opening in the Padres' rotation with Nick Pivetta (elbow) on the shelf, but it's not yet clear if Waldron will be the one to fill it on a permanent basis.

Sewald struck out one in a perfect inning to earn the save in Friday's 6-3 win over the Blue Jays.

Sewald's been excellent in save situations this season, pitching seven scoreless innings to come away with seven saves in as many attempts. He's struggled outside of closing duties, allowing three runs (two earned) over 1.1 innings across his three other appearances this season, two of which have resulted in him taking a loss. Overall, he still looks locked in as the Diamondbacks' closer with a 2.16 ERA, 0.48 WHIP and 11:0 K:BB through 8.1 innings.

Vazquez went 2-for-3 with a solo home run and a walk in Friday's 9-4 loss to the Cardinals.

Vazquez got the scoring started for the Astros, taking Kyle Leahy deep for a solo shot in the bottom of the third inning. Three solo homers were the extent of the damage against Leahy. Vazquez has made seven starts this season and has at least one hit in all seven, as he's now slashing .400/.438/.733 with two home runs, 10 RBI, five runs scored and a 2:7 BB:K across 33 trips to the plate.

Gomez allowed two runs on two hits and two walks in two innings Friday against Pittsburgh. He struck out three.

Gomez has now given up at least one run in five of his first six outings of 2026, having turned in a lone scoreless appearance back during the Opening Day loss to St. Louis. Through his first 12.1 innings, the right-hander has a ghastly 7.30 ERA, 1.70 WHIP and 9:7 K:BB, and he is likely to continue serving in mop-up duty and low-leverage spots.

Lambert (0-1) took the loss Friday against the Cardinals, allowing four runs on seven hits and one walk with eight strikeouts across five innings.

Lambert had his contract selected from Triple-A Sugar Land earlier in the day Friday and made his first major-league start in nearly two full calendar years. He spent the 2025 season pitching in Japan before signing with Houston this past winter. Lambert had the Cardinals off balance with his changeup in particular and averaged 95.2 mph with his four-seamer. The right-hander likely showed enough to warrant another start with Houston's pitching staff depleted by injuries. Lambert is lined up to face the Guardians in Cleveland next week.

Gorman went 1-for-5 with a three-run home run in Friday's 9-4 win over the Astros.

After striking out in each of his first three at-bats Friday, Gorman turned on a 96-mph fastball from Bryan Abreu and sent it over the right-field wall for a three-run shot to open the Cardinals' lead to 7-3 in the top of the seventh inning. An all-or-nothing type at the plate, Gorman's unlikely to hit for average or get on base at a high clip. He's slashing .207/.284/.362 with three home runs, 12 RBI, seven runs scored and a 7:22 BB:K across 67 plate appearances.

Pagan (hamstring) collected his sixth save of the season Friday in the Reds' 2-1 win over the Twins, striking out one batter in a scoreless ninth inning.

Pagan injured his hamstring in his last outing against the Giants on Tuesday, but he was cleared to come out of the bullpen Friday to protect the Reds' one-run lead in the ninth. He needed just 13 pitches (eight strikes) to get through the frame for his sixth save of the season, which is tied with Mason Miller and Paul Sewald for most in the National League. It was a good sign to see Pagan back on the mound, but his usage over the weekend will be worth monitoring.

Bednar earned the save in Friday's 4-2 win over the Royals, allowing one walk and striking out two in a scoreless ninth inning.

Bednar was summoned to protect a two-run lead in the ninth and worked around a leadoff walk to slam the door on 17 pitches. It marked his second straight scoreless outing after he blew his first save of the season Saturday. On the year, the 31-year-old is 6-for-7 in save opportunities with a 4.15 ERA, 1.85 WHIP and 12:5 K:BB over 8.2 innings.