MLB Player News

Miller recorded the save in Sunday's 8-6 win over the Red Sox, striking out the side in a perfect ninth inning.

Miller has saves in back-to-back games while striking out all six batters he's faced in that span. The right-hander needed just 12 pitches to set down the Red Sox in Sunday's win after throwing 11 pitches Saturday. Miller is up to four saves, tied for the league lead in the early going. He's allowed just one hit and one walk while striking out 11 in 4.1 scoreless innings.

The Cardinals optioned Roycroft to Triple-A Memphis on Sunday, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

The right-hander will be demoted to Triple-A after surrendering five earned runs in his first five outings of the season. Roycroft had a 7.84 ERA in 20 appearances with the Cardinals last season and will likely need better results with Memphis in order to get another look in the big leagues.

The Cardinals selected Shuster's contract from Triple-A Memphis on Sunday, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

The left-hander was unable to earn a spot on the Opening Day roster after signing as a non-roster invitee in December, but he'll get a look in the big leagues less than two weeks into the season. Shuster made 12 appearances with the White Sox last season and surrendered 14 earned runs with a 12:5 K:BB over 15.2 innings.

Fairbanks will start Sunday's game against the Yankees before being placed on the paternity list Monday, Isaac Azout of FishOnFirst.com reports.

Sunday's contest is starting in a rain delay, and Fairbanks will be used as an opener to allow him to leave the team a bit earlier and join his growing family. The right-hander should be back with the Marlins by Thursday's game versus the Reds. Calvin Faucher, Anthony Bender and Andrew Nardi are the top candidates for save chances while Fairbanks is unavailable as closer.

The Cubs recalled Roberts from Triple-A Iowa to serve as the 27th man for Sunday's doubleheader against the Guardians, Jared Wyllys of AllCHGO.com reports.

The right-hander failed to make Chicago's Opening Day roster, but he will receive a look in the majors during Sunday's twin bill. Roberts allowed six earned runs with a 6:2 K:BB over 10 big-league appearances last regular season.

Santillan struck out one over one scoreless inning to earn a hold in Saturday's 2-0 win over the Rangers.

Santillan threw a 1-2-3 eighth inning, setting down the top of Texas' order, to earn his third hold of the season. The right-hander's velocity remains noticeably down from 2025, but it hasn't impacted his effectiveness. Santillan's given up one hit and four walks while striking out seven over five scoreless innings. He's been used in the eighth inning in all five of his appearances.

With Cade Horton (forearm) set to land on the injured list, Assad is an option to get promoted from the minors and fill his rotation spot, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Horton departed Friday's contest after only an inning of work due to right forearm discomfort, and he will be examined more fully to determine the extent of the injury. Following a rainout Saturday, the Cubs don't have to worry about Horton's spot in the rotation again until Wednesday. Assad is a candidate to get the call from Triple-A Iowa, though it appears to be more likely that Ben Brown or Colin Rea moves over from the bullpen and into the rotation. Even if Assad isn't needed right away, he could be next in line if any other Chicago pitchers go down.

Holmes (2-0) earned the win over San Francisco on Saturday, allowing three hits and walking two batters while striking out four over seven scoreless innings.

Holmes allowed exactly one baserunner in each of his first four innings and then went into shutdown mode. Over his final three frames, he yielded just one baserunner (a single). Holmes wasn't overpowering, getting just seven whiffs and four punchouts, but he picked up his second win and first quality start of the campaign. Through two outings, he has allowed just two runs across 12.2 frames while posting a 9:5 K:BB.

Duran struck out one batter during a perfect ninth inning to earn the save against the Rockies on Saturday.

Duran entered in the ninth frame with the task of protecting a one-run lead. He did so without any drama, retiring the side in order on just eight pitches. Duran has ended with either a decision or a save in each of his five outings this season -- overall, he has a 1-1 record with three saves in three chances. He's given up just one earned run over 4.2 innings while posting a dominant 7:0 K:BB.

Santana (2-0) earned the win in Saturday's 3-2 victory over the Orioles, striking out one while not allowing a baserunner during the ninth inning.

The right-hander entered for the top of the ninth inning with the game tied 2-2, and he retired the side in order on 13 pitches (10 strikes). That set up Santana for the victory when the Pittsburgh offense came through with a walk-off in the bottom of the frame. The veteran reliever was expected to begin the season as Pittsburgh's primary closer, but it was Gregory Soto that picked up the club's first ninth-inning save of the season Friday. Santana has given up just one hit with a 4:2 K:BB through six appearances this year, splitting those outings evenly between the eighth and ninth innings. He remains in the mix for saves and is clearly a trusted high-leverage arm, but Soto currently seems to be the favored closing option.