MLB Player News

Slaten struck out one over a perfect inning to earn a hold in Friday's 5-2 win over San Diego.

Slaten pitched a 1-2-3 eighth inning to earn his second hold in three appearances this season, both of which set up saves for closer Aroldis Chapman. Coming off a 2025 season affected by a shoulder injury, a healthy Slaten will be a vital piece of the bullpen's setup crew in 2026.

Armstrong struck out one over a scoreless inning to pick up a hold in Friday's 4-1 win over the Cubs.

Armstrong worked a 1-2-3 eighth inning, his first appearance without allowing baserunners, to earn his third hold of the season. After giving up a home run in his initial outing, Armstrong hasn't allowed a run in four subsequent appearances (3.2 IP). The right-hander has allowed five base runners during the scoreless streak but has managed to work around the traffic.

Speier picked up his first save of the season Friday against the Angels, allowing one unearned run with no hits or walks while striking out one across one inning.

Speier came on to pitch the 10th inning after Andres Munoz pitched a scoreless ninth inning in a tie game. Speier allowed the designated runner, Oswald Peraza, to score following a groundout and sacrifice fly but closed the door by striking out Yoan Moncada. Speier has a 5.40 ERA and 4:0 K:BB across 3.1 innings to begin the season.

Munoz (1-0) picked up the win Friday against the Angels, striking out three across a scoreless and hitless inning.

With the game knotted at 0-0 in the bottom of the ninth inning, Munoz came on for Seattle and promptly struck out Oswald Peraza, Zach Neto and Mike Trout on 19 pitches. The Mariners plated three runs in the top of the 10th inning, and Gabe Speier came on to close it out for Seattle, securing the win for Munoz. Through three appearances, Munoz has a 6.00 ERA and 6:0 K:BB across three innings. He's still looking for his first save.

Martin (1-1) picked up the loss Friday, allowing two runs on two hits over one inning in a 5-3 loss to the Reds.

Martin entered a 3-3 game in the top of the ninth inning and left with Texas trailing. He gave up a leadoff double to Spencer Steer followed by a Tyler Stephenson two-run home run. Martin, who entered the season as part of a closer committee, has allowed five runs (four earned) over 2.2 innings. All five runs crossed the plate in the ninth inning of games.

Dominguez (1-1) allowed one run (none earned) on no hits and no walks while striking out two over 1.1 innings to earn the win Friday against the Blue Jays.

Dominguez entered the game with the score tied and two outs in the ninth inning, and he was able to strike out Kazuma Okamoto to strand a runner at second. He then stayed in the game for the 10th frame, with the only run allowed coming due to a throwing error by Miguel Vargas. This was a needed showing from Dominguez, as he hadn't made an appearance since blowing a save chance and recording only one out Sunday against the Brewers.

Garcia threw a clean ninth inning Friday against the Pirates.

Garcia is now up to 3.1 scoreless innings to begin the season, posting a 4:0 K:BB through three appearances. The 32-year-old right-hander helped pick up the pieces in Baltimore's beleaguered bullpen late last year, producing a 2.84 ERA and 20:6 K:BB with nine holds in 19 regular-season frames for the Orioles in 2025, and he's making a case for high-leverage work early on in 2026.

Taylor will serve as the White Sox's opening pitcher again Saturday against the Blue Jays, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

Taylor started Friday's contest with a scoreless frame before handing things over to Sean Burke in a game Chicago won in 10 innings. The team will go right back to the well Saturday with Taylor opening ahead of Anthony Kay. Taylor now sits with a 3.00 ERA, 1.67 WHIP and 5:2 K:BB across three innings this season.

Hoffman (1-1) blew a save and took the extra-inning loss against the White Sox on Friday, allowing two unearned runs on two hits and no walks with one strikeout while recording two outs in the 10th inning.

Hoffman entered the 10th inning with a 4-3 lead and recorded two outs before things unraveled. Tyler Heineman, who came in at catcher mid-inning to replace Alejandro Kirk (thumb), made an errant throw on a bunt single by Derek Hill that allowed the tying run to score. Hill then came around to score on a walkoff single by Tristan Peters. While Hoffman has allowed only one earned run and posted an 11:0 K:BB through his first five appearances this year, he's converted just one of three save chances after a tumultuous 2025 that ended with a blown save in Game 7 of the World Series.

Chapman earned the save in Friday's 5-2 win over the Padres, allowing no hits and one walk with one strikeout in a scoreless ninth inning.

Chapman was called on to protect a three-run lead and slammed the door despite throwing just 11 of 21 pitches for strikes. The veteran has picked up where he left off after a superb 2025 campaign, tossing three scoreless frames and converting both of his save opportunities to start this season.