MLB Player News

Melancon picked up his 11th save of the season Wednesday against the Pirates. He pitched a scoreless ninth inning, allowing one hit with no walks or strikeouts.

Melancon began the season with six straight scoreless appearances before giving up a run, and now he's recorded seven straight scoreless outings while cementing his place as one of the best relievers in the NL right now. Melancon has a 14:1 K:BB through 15 innings while going 11-for-11 in save opportunities in 2021.

Bard gave up an unearned run with two strikeouts and two walks during the ninth inning to record the save Wednesday versus San Francisco.

The 35-year-old walked the first two batters he faced, and he allowed an unearned run when catcher Dom Nunez committed a throwing error while attempting to foil a stolen-base attempt. Bard picked up the save without surrendering an earned run, but it's hardly an encouraging performance as he threw only 15 of 30 pitches for strikes. He's converted three of five save chances and has an 8.10 ERA, 2.30 WHIP and 13:7 K:BB through 10 innings this season.

Underwood (1-1) was tagged with the loss in relief Wednesday against the Padres after allowing two runs (one earned) on two hits and a strikeout across one inning.

Underwood pitched the sixth inning but he did himself no favors by putting the first two men he faced on before recording an out. He limited the damage to two runs, yet that was more than enough for him to get tagged with his first loss of the campaign. Underwood owns a 3.94 ERA across 12 appearances, but the fact that he has given up two or more runs in two of his last three outings is somewhat concerning.

Double-A Altoona manager Miguel Perez said Bolton is facing a "long-term" absence after suffering a knee injury during a recent workout, Mike Persak of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

The minor-league season started this week, but the right-hander will open the campaign on the injured list with the knee issue. Bolton should be considered out indefinitely until more information is available on the injury.

Alzolay allowed two earned runs on three hits and one walk while striking out seven across five innings Wednesday against the Dodgers. He did not factor into the decision.

Alzolay surrendered a run in each of his last two innings, but he was otherwise excellent during the outing. He racked up 12 swinging strikes on only 79 total pitches to back up his seven strikeouts. More importantly, after posting a 4.6 BB/9 across his first 33.2 innings in the majors across the last two seasons, Alzolay has walked only seven batters while striking out 30 over 26 frames to begin the current campaign. He's in line to draw his next start Tuesday at Cleveland.

Reyes pitched a perfect seventh inning, striking out one to record the save during a win over the Mets in Game 1 of a doubleheader Wednesday.

Reyes' nine saves tie him with Ian Kennedy for second in all of baseball. The 26-year-old is always a risk to issue multiple free passes, but even with 12 walks in 15.1 innings, he is a perfect 9-for-9 in save situations.

Jansen allowed one run (none earned) on three walks across one inning to blow the save Wednesday against the Cubs.

Jansen entered the game in the 10th inning with a one-run lead. Though he had to deal with the runner starting at second base, Jansen didn't help himself by walking the leadoff hitter and then throwing a wild pitch. The rest of his line looks worse than reality, as the other two walks were intentional. Even so, Jansen has struggled with his control this season, as he now has 13 walks across 13.1 innings of work.

Helsley (3-0) pitched a scoreless fifth inning, walking one while striking out one to earn the win Wednesday over the Mets.

Helsley picked up the win after relieving Kwang Hyun Kim in the fifth inning. The 26-year-old started the year off with a couple bad outings, but has allowed just one run over the 11.1 innings covering his last 11 appearances. He has three wins and a hold to go along with a 3.86 ERA.

Kelly (shoulder) is nearing his return to the Dodgers, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

The righty has yet to pitch in 2021 as he nears the end of his recovery from November shoulder surgery. Injury problems in both the Dodgers' rotation and bullpen have emphasized the need for additional experienced pitchers on the roster, and Kelly could work his way into a late-inning role if he impresses upon returning.

Alexander (shoulder) will be available in the bullpen Wednesday against the Cubs, Jorge Castillo of the Los Angeles Times reports.

The lefty reliever was unavailable for both games of Tuesday's doubleheader due to shoulder soreness, but manager Dave Roberts says he's recovered and is ready to pitch. Alexander has posted a 2.31 ERA in 11.2 innings with five strikeouts and one walk.