MLB Player News

May threw a scoreless third of an inning while giving up one hit in the seventh inning of Saturday's loss to Cleveland.

Minnesota manager Rocco Baldelli hasn't committed to any plan at closer. Taylor Rogers got a four-out save in the first game and is likely the leading candidate to close games, but save opportunities may be based on matchups. May's usage in the seventh inning shows he'll be used everywhere in the late innings, which could still include a significant number of save chances.

Treinen recorded a five-out save, allowing only one hit and striking out two, in a 4-2 victory over the Angels on Saturday.

The Athletics nearly wasted six scoreless innings from starter Brett Anderson, but Treinen came on with a runner on first to shut the door. After posting two outs in the eighth, Treinen retired the Angels in order in the ninth. Last season, Treinen was fantastic, registering a 0.78 ERA, 0.83 WHIP and 100 strikeouts in 80.1 frames. He's allowed one baserunner and struck out six in 4.2 innings to begin 2019.

Leclerc allowed a hit in a scoreless ninth inning to record his first save of the season in Saturday's 8-6 win over the Cubs.

The hit wasn't exactly barreled -- Kyle Schwarber bunted against the shift with two outs to get the tying run to the plate -- and Leclerc was in control, firing nine of his 13 pitches for strikes. Coming off a dazzling 2018 and with a new four-year contract extension in his pocket, the 25-year-old seems very secure in his closer role, despite the rebuilding status of the Rangers roster around him.

Hand allowed one hit and two walks but secured his first save of the season in Saturday's 2-1 win over the Twins. He recorded one strikeout.

The Twins registered only one hit and one walk through the first eight innings Saturday, but Byron Buxton's double to start the ninth inning put Hand in a difficult position. Thankfully the 28-year-old was able to work himself out of the jam and ensure the victory, but it was nonetheless a nerve-wracking outing for the left-hander.

Rumbelow struck out Xander Bogaerts to get the final out Saturday night and record the save.

Zac Rosscup began the ninth inning in a non-save situation with a 6-2 lead and conceded a hit and walk along with two outs, but Dylan Moore then committed three errors in a row at third base -- the first two with Rosscup on the mound and the third with Rumbelow pitching -- bringing the score to 6-5 before Rumbelow finally got the third out. For what it's worth, Cory Gearrin pitched the last two days, so he still may be in the mix for future saves. Notably, both Rumbelow and Gearrin were mentioned by manager Scott Servais on Saturday as two of several candidates for save opportunities during Hunter Strickland's (lat) stint on the injured list, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports.

Junis (1-0) struck out six and allowed three runs on six hits and one walk over 5.2 innings to pick up the win over the White Sox on Saturday.

The 26-year-old started the game with five scoreless frames, but allowed three runs on four hits in the sixth primarily due to a three-run homer from Jose Abreu. He currently lines up for a rematch with the Tigers on the road Thursday.

Alvarado struck out two in a perfect ninth inning to record his second save of the season in Saturday's 3-1 win over the Astros.

The fireballing lefty is off to a flying start as the Rays' de facto closer, and he's giving manager Kevin Cash no reason to get creative with his late-game bullpen usage. As long as Alvarado is producing results, expect him to continue seeing the bulk of Tampa's save chances.

McHugh (0-1) took the loss Saturday, giving up two runs on three hits and a walk over five innings while striking out nine as the Astros fell 3-1 to the Rays.

The right-hander looked good in his return to full-time rotation duty, generating 16 swinging strikes among his 81 pitches (56 total strikes), but he got outdueled by Tyler Glasnow and the Tampa bullpen. McHugh will look to build on this outing in his next start, April 5 at home against the A's.

Giles struck out two in a scoreless ninth inning Saturday to record his first save of the season in a 3-0 win over the Tigers.

In his first appearance of the season, the righty permitted just one hit, a one-out single to Grayson Greiner. The 28-year-old has a firm grasp on the Toronto closer role right now.

Lopez (0-1) allowed four runs on six hits and four walks while striking out two over four-plus innings in Saturday's 8-6 loss to Kansas City.

Lopez's defense didn't do him any favors in a three-run third inning, but the right-hander was far from sharp on a windy, 38-degree day at Kauffman Stadium. He hit a batter who later scored and just 50 of his 88 pitches were strikes. Lopez, who was the White Sox's best pitcher from start to finish in 2018, will next take the mound Thursday at home against the Mariners.