MLB Player News

De Los Santos earned the save with a perfect ninth inning in a 3-1 victory over the Rockies on Wednesday. He struck out two.

The 30-year-old right-hander has now earned saves on consecutive days for Houston, career saves No. 4 and 5, as De Los Santos appears to be entering the closer mix in the absence of Josh Hader (biceps) and in light of Bryan Abreu's struggles this season. Abreu pitched 1.1 scoreless innings in Wednesday's victory, setting up the save chance for De Los Santos after Bryan King did as much Tuesday. De Los Santos' fastball velocity is down a couple ticks to around 94 mph this season, but it seems to be by design since he's cut his walk rate by more than half in the early going, an improvement that has helped fuel a 1.35 ERA and 0.75 WHIP through six appearances and 6.2 innings so far in 2026.

Kuhnel struck out two over 1.1 perfect innings to earn the save in Wednesday's 6-5 win over the Rangers.

The right-hander got the call in the eighth inning after Mark Leiter gave up a three-run home run to Jake Burger to make it a one-run game. This was Kuhnel's third save of the season, good for the team lead over Leiter. There has been a stark difference in their performances: Kuhnel has tossed 4.2 scoreless innings so far, while Leiter has a 9.00 ERA through eight frames. The 31-year-old Kuhnel has added a 3:0 K:BB and has given up just one hit. The Athletics' bullpen is functioning as a committee currently, but Kuhnel looks to be a slight favorite for saves as long as he continues to pitch well. Hogan Harris and Scott Barlow are also in the mix for late-inning work.

Cleavinger (calf) is scheduled to face hitters in live batting practice Thursday, per MLB.com.

The left-hander is working his way back from right calf tightness, and the expectation is that he'll be able to rejoin Tampa Bay's bullpen at some point in mid-to-late April. Cleavinger has given up two runs on three hits and four walks over 2.1 innings to begin the year, so it's possible the Rays will ease him back into the high-leverage mix once he's cleared to return.

Romano (0-2) was charged with the loss and a blown save Wednesday against the Angels, allowing two runs on two hits and one walk in one-third of an inning.

Romano simply didn't have his best stuff Wednesday -- even the one out he recorded was a sharp lineout by Giancarlo Stanton. The right-hander got just 12 of his 21 offerings to hit for strikes, and Jose Caballero drove in a pair of runs on a double to walk it off for the Yankees. Although Romano has converted four of his six save chances so far, he's given up five runs in his past two outings and now owns a dismal 8.44 ERA, 1.88 WHIP and 7:5 K:BB through 5.1 innings. He could soon have more competition for ninth-inning work in the form of Kirby Yates (knee), who is nearing his return from the IL.

Jansen worked around a hit to toss a scoreless inning and earn the save in Wednesday's 2-1 win over the Royals. He struck out one.

Jansen recorded his second save in as many days, and he now has four this year in five opportunities. The veteran righty also has a strong 1.93 ERA, 0.86 WHIP and seven strikeouts across 4.2 innings so far. Jansen appears to be settling in with his new team, and the 38-year-old should remain a reliable fantasy option the rest of the way as long as he remains healthy in his 17th MLB campaign.

The Rangers transferred Bradford (elbow) to the 60-day injured list Wednesday.

Bradford has been working his way back from an internal brace procedure and made his first rehab start April 3, but his second outing has since been delayed, and his move to the 60-day IL suggests he isn't close to returning. He'll remain sidelined until at least late May, and he'll give up his place on the 40-man roster to help make room for the promotions of Cal Quantrill and Gavin Collyer.

The Rangers selected Collyer's contract from Triple-A Round Rock on Wednesday, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

Collyer will come up from the minors to help fill the holes in Texas' bullpen left by Chris Martin (biceps) and Luis Curvelo (shoulder). The 24-year-old Collyer has started the Triple-A season strong, giving up just two runs over 6.2 innings while striking out 11 batters and walking two. He'll be making his MLB debut whenever he gets into a game.

The Rangers placed Curvelo on the 15-day injured list Wednesday with a right shoulder impingement, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

Curvelo threw just two pitches Tuesday before leaving the game with an injury, and he's now set to miss at least the next 15 days as well. With Chris Martin (biceps) also landing on the IL on Wednesday, Gavin Collyer and Cal Quantrill will come up from the minors to fill the openings in Texas' pitching staff.

The Rangers placed Martin on the 15-day injured list Wednesday with a bicep injury, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

Martin was pulled from his appearance Tuesday after throwing just five pitches in one-third of an inning, and he'll now be held out of action for the rest of the month after suffering a biceps injury. He'll be joined on the injured list by Luis Curvelo (shoulder), and the Rangers will bring up Gavin Collyer and Cal Quantrill from Triple-A Round Rock to round out the active roster.

Woods Richardson (0-3) took the loss Wednesday as the Twins fell 9-5 to the Red Sox, surrendering seven runs (six earned) on 10 hits and three walks over five innings. He struck out three.

A three-run homer by Trevor Story in the third inning was the biggest blow, and Woods Richardson didn't get a lot of help from his defense, but he dealt with traffic on the basepaths in every frame before mercifully getting the hook after 92 pitches (57 strikes). The right-hander has been tagged for 12 runs (11 earned) over his last two outings, and he'll carry a 6.10 ERA, 1.60 WHIP and 11:7 K:BB through 20.2 innings into his next start, which is set to come on the road next week against the Mets.