MLB Player News

Borucki signed a minor-league contract Tuesday with the Pirates.

Borucki elected to become a free agent after getting pushed off the Cubs' 40-man roster earlier this month. He did not get into a major-league game during his short time with Chicago and will presumably be stationed at the Pirates' Triple-A affiliate in Indianapolis. The 29-year-old lefty reliever struggled to a 5.68 ERA in 25.1 big-league innings last season between Toronto and Seattle.

Soto is expected to split closing duties with Craig Kimbrel after Jose Alvarado (elbow) was placed on the 15-day injured list Wednesday, Corey Seidman of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

The lefty-throwing Alvarado has been Philadelphia's top reliever and primary closing option this season with five saves, but he's now sidelined by elbow inflammation. Kimbrel has three saves but has struggled at times with a 7.62 ERA in 15 outings, which could allow Soto -- who tallied 30 saves for Detroit in 2022 -- to take a larger share of the closer role.

Hand (2-1) earned the win in Wednesday's 4-3 win over Pittsburgh, striking out two over 1.2 perfect innings.

Hand got the Rockies out of a bases-loaded, one-out jam in the seventh inning, inducing a double play off the bat of Rodolfo Castro. The lefty then set the Pirates down in order in the eighth after the Rockies took the lead in the top half of the frame. The 33-year-old has pitched well of late, posting three consecutive scoreless appearances. His ERA is down to 3.14 with a 1.26 WHIP and 20:6 K:BB through 14.1 innings. Hand is still behind Pierce Johnson and Daniel Bard in the closer pecking order, though he's continued to pitch in high-leverage situations for Colorado.

Puk gave up a hit and struck out two in a scoreless ninth inning Wednesday to record his sixth save of the season in a 5-4 win over the Diamondbacks.

The southpaw helped make history by locking down the victory, as the Marlins are now 12-0 in one-run games to begin the season -- the longest winning streak in games decided by one run in modern baseball history. Puk has been scored upon in only three of 15 appearances this season, and he's emerged as a solid closing option for Miami with a 3.07 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 19:3 K:BB through 14.2 innings.

Manaea (1-2) took the loss Wednesday, allowing eight runs (four earned) on five hits and three walks over 2.2 innings during an 11-6 loss to the Nationals. He struck out four.

Manaea continues to struggle with his new team, posting a 7.96 ERA and 1.77 ERA over his first eight appearances (six starts) with the Giants. If the left-hander can't turn it around soon, he could be relegated to the bullpen when Alex Wood (hamstring) is activated off the 15-day injured list, which could come as soon as this weekend.

Chafin (2-1) was the losing pitcher in Wednesday's 5-4 loss to Miami. He allowed one run on one hit while striking out two over one-plus innings.

Chafin was brought into a non-save situation in the eighth inning -- perhaps because the left-hander last pitched Saturday -- and had a clean inning before giving up a leadoff double in the ninth. That runner eventually came around to score. It was his second straight outing that resulted in an adverse result. The last time out, Chafin allowed four hits and three runs in a blown save.

Robertson retired the side in order during the ninth inning while striking out two to pick up his seventh save of the year in a win over the Reds on Wednesday.

Robertson needed just 13 pitches to get the save. He struck out Jonathan India and TJ Friedl before Spencer Steer flew out to end the game. The 38-year-old has allowed just one run in 14 appearances and is a perfect 7-for-7 in save chances so far this year. He sits at an 0.59 ERA, 0.85 WHIP and 20:5 K:BB over 15.1 innings.

Hader allowed an unearned run on a hit and walk while striking out three in one inning, taking a blown save in Wednesday's extra-innings loss to the Twins.

After converting 11 straight save opportunities to begin the year, Hader's blown his last two save chances, though in fairness his only flaw Wednesday was allowing the designated runner to score in extras. He gave up a leadoff RBI single to Donovan Solano in the 10th inning, which retied the game at 3-3 after the Padres had pulled ahead in the top of the frame. Hader has yet to allow multiple runs in an appearance, so he's avoided the epic meltdowns that plagued him during parts of the 2022 season. He has a 1.06 ERA, 0.76 WHIP and 23:7 K:BB through 17 innings this season.

Lee allowed a walk and struck out three over 2.2 scoreless and hitless innings versus the Red Sox on Wednesday. He did not factor in the decision.

Lee covered the most innings of the eight pitchers Atlanta used in what ended up being a bullpen game. The 28-year-old hadn't started a game at any level since 2017, so it's unlikely he's a long-term solution for Atlanta's battered rotation, which will be missing Max Fried (forearm) and Kyle Wright (shoulder) for at least two more months. Lee has a 2.41 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 22:6 K:BB over 18.2 innings this season, and he'll likely continue to serve in a versatile role out of the bullpen, though it's also possible he could be tabbed as an opener again on occasion.

Law will work as the Reds' opening pitcher Thursday against the Mets, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Law has a 3.00 ERA and 1.50 WHIP with 18 strikeouts in 18 innings this season. He has recorded four or more outs in five of his 17 appearances. Ben Lively will likely work as the primary pitcher after Law covers an inning or two, per Sheldon.