MLB Player News
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Carlos Estevez RP | KC
Royals' Carlos Estevez: Nails down 15th save
Estevez notched the save in Wednesday's 3-2 win over the Reds after throwing 1.1 scoreless innings. He struck out two.
It was just the third time this season that Estevez worked more than one inning, and he was able to turn in his 12th scoreless outing in his last 13 appearances. The 32-year-old right-hander has successfully converted each of his 10 save chances during this span, boasting a 0.68 ERA and 13:1 K:BB over his last 13.1 innings. Estevez continues to solidify his grip on Kansas City's closing job, as he's now second in the American League with 15 saves in 2025.
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Lucas Erceg RP | KC
Royals' Lucas Erceg: Battling illness
Erceg was unavailable for Wednesday's game against the Reds due to an illness, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
Erceg's illness helps explain why he hasn't pitched since Saturday, especially since the Royals led by only two runs entering the eighth inning of Wednesday's contest but turned to John Schreiber rather than Erceg. The 30-year-old righty will have an extra day to recover during Kansas City's day off Thursday and could be back in action for the start of the weekend series against Detroit.
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Fernando Cruz RP | NYY
Yankees' Fernando Cruz: Throws bullpen session
Cruz (shoulder) threw a 20-pitch bullpen session Wednesday, Meredith Marakovits of YES Network reports.
Cruz said afterward that his mound session went well, and he's expected to begin facing live hitters Saturday. Assuming he doesn't experience any setbacks over the next several days, he seems to be on track to return when eligible Tuesday.
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Tommy Kahnle RP | DET
Tigers' Tommy Kahnle: Picks up seventh save
Kahnle struck out two in two perfect innings Wednesday to record his seventh save of the season in a 4-3 win over the Giants.
With Will Vest having picked up saves in the first two games of the series Monday and Tuesday, Kahnle was brought in to bail out John Brebbia with runners on second and third and nobody out in the eighth inning. After escaping that jam, Kahnle stayed on the mound and dispatched San Francisco's 2-3-4 hitters in the ninth to earn his second save in May. Vest appears to be the preferred closing option for Detroit right now, but Kahnle remains in the ninth-inning mix thanks to a 1.52 ERA, 0.80 WHIP and 22:6 K:BB through 23.2 innings.
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Emmanuel Clase RP | CLE
Guardians' Emmanuel Clase: Rings up 11th save
Clase struck out one in a perfect ninth inning Wednesday to record his 11th save of the season in a 7-4 win over the Dodgers.
The Cleveland closer needed only 10 pitches (eight strikes) to carve up the Dodgers' 6-7-8 hitters, fanning Enrique Hernandez to end the afternoon contest. After an uneven beginning to the campaign, Clase has been charged with an earned run in only one of his 10 appearances in May, posting a 0.93 ERA, 0.72 WHIP and 10:2 K:BB on the month while converting all six of his save chances.
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Kolby Allard RP | CLE
Guardians' Kolby Allard: Effective in spot start
Allard didn't factor into the decision in Wednesday's 7-4 win over the Dodgers, giving up two runs on four hits over four innings. He struck out three without walking a batter.
Making his first start of the season after seven relief appearances, Allard threw 44 of 62 pitches for strikes but left the mound in line for the loss, only for the Guardians' offense to rally late against Tanner Scott and the Dodgers' bullpen. Allard has been effective as a long reliever and swingman this year, posting a 2.05 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 10:3 K:BB through 22 innings, but that lack of dominance -- not to mention a 5.71 career ERA in the majors -- makes him a risky fantasy option even in AL-only formats.
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Jackson Kowar RP | SEA
Mariners' Jackson Kowar: Reinstated from IL
The Mariners reinstated Kowar (elbow) from the 60-day injured list Wednesday.
Kowar will return to the majors after missing the entire 2024 season following Tommy John surgery last March. The 28-year-old right hander posted a 2.57 ERA and 1.29 WHIP across seven innings during his rehab assignment and did not yield a run in each of his last three outings. Kowar will be available to make his 2025 debut out of the Mariners' bullpen against the Nationals on Wednesday. Logan Evans was optioned to Triple-A Tacoma in a corresponding move.
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Josh Hader RP | HOU
Astros' Josh Hader: Locks down 14th save
Hader earned the save in Wednesday's 5-3 win over the A's, working around a walk while striking out three in a scoreless ninth inning.
Hader is now a perfect 14-for-14 in save chances this season. He's been nearly untouchable of late, allowing just one run on four hits while striking out 15 in his last nine innings. Hader's ERA is down to 1.50 through 24 innings this year with a stellar 0.79 WHIP and 35:6 K:BB.
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Jake Eder SP | WAS
Angels' Jake Eder: Heading back to Triple-A
The Angels optioned Eder to Triple-A Salt Lake following Tuesday's game against the Yankees.
Eder was recalled by the Angels on Saturday and made two appearances out of the bullpen, during which he issued three walks, struck out three batters and did not allow a hit across three scoreless innings. He has a 4.78 ERA and 1.34 WHIP across six starts in Triple-A this season but could be brought back to the majors if the Angels require a spot starter or another bullpen arm. Robert Stephenson (elbow) was reinstated from the 60-day injured list in a corresponding move.
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Robert Stephenson RP | LAA
Angels' Robert Stephenson: Activated off IL
The Angels reinstated Stephenson (elbow) from the 60-day injured list Wednesday.
Stephenson has been on the shelf since undergoing UCL repair surgery on his right elbow in May of 2024. He made five rehab appearances between Single-A Inland Empire and Triple-A Salt Lake and allowed two runs on four hits and no walks while striking out five across five innings. Stephenson has been given the green light to return to the majors and will be available out of the bullpen for Wednesday's series finale against the Yankees. In a corresponding move, Jake Eder was optioned to Triple-A following Tuesday's game.