MLB Player News

Bednar (1-0) blew the save, but he picked up the win anyway in Tuesday's 7-4 victory over Houston. He allowed two runs on two hits with one walk while striking out one over one inning.

Bednar was given a two-run lead in the ninth inning, but the right-hander gave up a two-run double to Chas McCormick to blow his first save of the season. Fortunately for Bednar, Ji-Hwan Bae blasted a three-run homer in the bottom of the inning, so it did allow him to pick up his first victory of 2023.

Suarez (elbow) has been shut down from throwing after experiencing tightness in his right elbow while playing catch, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Suarez was placed on the 15-day IL on March 30 due to stiffness and inflammation in his right elbow. He began playing catch April 1 but is no longer throwing due to the setback. The right-hander had an MRI that revealed no ligament damage in the tight elbow, but it's uncertain when he'll be able to resume throwing. Suarez is unlikely to rejoin the Padres bullpen until at least May.

Pomeranz (elbow) will make a minor-league rehab appearance with Triple-A El Paso on Thursday, Sammy Levitt of 97.3 The Fan reports.

Pomeranz was thought to be close to pitching in games in mid-March, but he suffered a setback after tossing a few sim games and was eventually placed on the injured list to begin the season. He appears to be back on the road to recovery from the August 2021 flexor tendon surgery that wiped out all of his 2022 campaign, but he'll likely need at least a few rehab appearances before joining San Diego's bullpen. Pomeranz last appeared in a major-league contest Aug. 10, 2021.

Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said Tuesday that Mantiply (shoulder) might only need one rehab appearance, Theo Mackie of The Arizona Republic reports.

Mantiply is scheduled to make his first rehab appearance Wednesday with Double-A Amarillo, and it sounds like it could also be his last. The 32-year-old reliever began the 2023 season on the 15-day injured list after battling left shoulder fatigue toward the end of spring training, but he's been throwing without issue for a couple of weeks.

Arizona placed McGough on the paternity leave list Tuesday.

McGough has been excused from the Diamondbacks as he welcomes a new member of his growing family. The 33-year-old reliever holds an 8.10 ERA through 3.1 innings of work this season. Jose Ruiz, acquired from the White Sox on Sunday, will join the Arizona bullpen in his place.

Bard (personal) faced live hitters Tuesday for the first time since landing on the injured list March 30, Patrick Lyons of TheDNVR.com reports.

Bard remains on the 15-day injured list while he works through anxiety, but he's staying ready as part of a throwing progression and could perhaps feel well enough mentally to be activated before the end of April. Pierce Johnson has been serving as Colorado's primary closer in Bard's absence.

Heuer (elbow) will throw a one-inning live batting practice Tuesday, Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic reports.

After undergoing Tommy John surgery back in March 2022, Heuer continues to progress through the rehab process and has now been cleared to face hitters. He still has a ways to go and will likely require a lengthy minor-league rehab assignment, but he remains on track to return around mid-June.

Villalobos was claimed off waivers by the Pirates on Tuesday and optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis.

Villalobos had been designated for assignment Sunday by the Marlins. The 25-year-old right-hander was off to an ugly start this season at Triple-A Jacksonville, but he posted a 2.86 ERA and 101:29 K:BB over 78.2 innings of relief between the Double-A and Triple-A levels in 2022.

Finnegan picked up the save in Monday's 6-4 victory over the Angels, striking out one across a perfect ninth inning.

Finnegan came on in the ninth with a two-run lead and retired Jake Lamb and Taylor Ward before striking out Mike Trout to end the game. After allowing five runs in a blown save last week versus Tampa Bay, Finnegan has posted three straight scoreless outings and has a strikeout in each of those appearances.

Chafin picked up the save in Monday's 3-0 win over the Brewers by striking out the side during a perfect ninth inning.

Chafin came on in the ninth inning with a three-run lead and proceeded to strike out Joey Wiemer, Christian Yelich and Willy Adames en route to his second save of the season. The left-hander has yet to allow a run across five appearances (4.1 innings) while striking out seven versus just two walks. Scott McGough, who blew a save last week, has operated in hold situations in each of his past two appearances, so it appears Chafin has the early edge in Arizona's closing competition.