MLB Player News

Alzolay pitched a scoreless eighth inning in Friday's 2-1 win over the Padres. He struck out one.

Alzolay recently earned a two-inning save for the Cubs, but he was back in a setup role Friday, with Mark Leiter working the ninth for the save. With Brad Boxberger (forearm) out, Alzolay and Leiter should both continue to see high-leverage work, which gives each of them a boost in fantasy appeal, at least in the short term.

Bard allowed one hit and two walks while striking out one across two-thirds of an inning Friday against the Royals.

Bard entered the game in the ninth inning with the Rockies up 7-2, marking his first appearance in the ninth inning with a lead this season. He retired two of the first three batters he faced but was forced to exit the game with the bases loaded. Justin Lawrence recorded the final out of the game to tally the save. Though Pierce Johnson has struggled in the closer role, Bard has walked 13 batters across 16.1 innings for the campaign and is unlikely to see consistent save chances in the near future.

Lawrence recorded the final out of Friday's 7-2 win over the Royals to earn the save.

Lawrence entered the game with the bases loaded and two outs in the ninth inning, though he managed to strike out Jackie Bradley to earn this first save of the season. He's allowed seven earned runs across his last 11.2 innings, but he still has a 2.90 ERA and 1.06 WHIP with a 34:12 K:BB on the campaign. Lawrence also leads the Rockies with seven holds, but he could enter into the closer picture as Pierce Johnson has a disastrous 6.85 ERA and 1.88 WHIP in the role to this point.

Peguero tossed a scoreless 10th inning and picked up the first win of his career in Friday's victory over the Reds.

Peguero hit a batter in his lone inning, but he also kept the Reds off the scoreboard in the bottom of the 10th frame, and he walked away with the win when the Brewers scored two runs to Cincinnati's one in the 11th. Since being recalled by the Brewers in late April, Peguero has allowed two and four earned runs in separate outings, but he has also made 12 scoreless appearances and owns a 2.89 ERA and 1.18 WHIP. As such, his spot in Milwaukee's bullpen seems secure for the time being.

Wilson picked up the save during Friday's 5-4 win over the Reds in extras, allowing one unearned run on one hit. He didn't record a walk or strikeout.

Devin Williams tossed a scoreless ninth to send the game into the 10th inning, so Wilson got the call in the 11th to secure a two-run lead. The right-hander began the season as a long reliever, but he's been more of a shutdown late-inning option over his last four appearances. The 25-year-old has been sharp to start his first season with the Brewers, posting a 2.45 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 24:8 K:BB with three saves and one win across 17 appearances (29.1 innings).

Mantiply (hamstring) threw in an Arizona Complex League game Friday.

Mantiply followed up a 25-pitch live batting practice session Tuesday with Friday's competition in a game environment. Arizona decision makers will consider the next steps for the left-hander this weekend.

Bednar gave up a hit and struck out one in a scoreless ninth inning Friday to record his 11th save of the season in a 7-5 win over the Cardinals.

The right-hander continued a dominant run that has seen him convert seven straight save chances dating back to April 15 while posting a 21:0 K:BB and getting scored upon in only one of his 17 appearances during that time. Bednar is now tied for fourth in the National League in saves, three back of league leader Camilo Doval.

Leiter picked up the save in Friday's 2-1 victory over the Padres. He struck out three over a scoreless inning.

Despite getting lit up in his previous outing, Leiter got the chance to close out a one-run lead Friday. After striking out the side, he has a career-high 13.69 K/9 in 2023. Since Brad Boxberger (forearm) landed on the IL on May 13, Leiter has converted two saves and Adbert Alzolay has picked up one. Alzolay pitched in a high-leverage spot in the eighth inning Friday, entering with two on and no outs, so both pitchers will likely be in the closer mix until Boxberger returns.

Castro allowed two hits in a scoreless inning to earn the save in Friday's 3-2 win over Atlanta.

Castro put two of the first three batters aboard in the ninth inning, but got a flyout from Ozzie Albies and a groundout from Orlando Arcia to avoid disaster. This was Castro's 11th straight scoreless appearance, a span in which he's picked up five of his six saves this year while adding two holds and two wins. The right-hander continues to get late-inning work as a result of his strong pitching -- he's at a 2.13 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 22:8 K:BB through 25.1 innings this year, bringing stability to the back end of Arizona's bullpen. Andrew Chafin remains Castro's primary competition for save chances in what's become a two-man committee.

Strahm will work as an opener for Saturday's game against the Nationals, Corey Seidman of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

Seidman notes that Strahm could work two innings before giving way to the bullpen. Dylan Covey was originally penciled in as Saturday's start against Washington, and it seems possible that he could work as a bulk reliever after Strahm exits.