MLB Player News

Holmes allowed a hit and three walks while striking out four over six shutout innings in a no-decision versus Arizona on Friday.

Holmes and Eduardo Rodriguez had a pitchers' duel. While Holmes didn't last as long in the game, exiting at 85 pitches (52 strikes) over his six frames, Atlanta got the win in the end with a two-run ninth inning. Holmes has allowed three runs over 11 innings across his two starts, scattering six hits while posting an 8:5 K:BB so far. The right-hander had some positive moments in 2025, pitching to a 3.99 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 123:54 K:BB across 115 innings over 22 regular-season appearances (21 starts). He'll still need to improve at limiting walks, but he's shown enough strikeout potential to be an interesting fantasy option. The 30-year-old's next start is projected to be on the road against the Angels.

Santana struck out one without allowing a baserunner in a scoreless eighth inning to earn a hold Friday against the Orioles.

Santana entered the game in the eighth inning for his second consecutive appearance, with Gregory Soto following him in the final frame on each occasion. While Santana is still in a high-leverage role and has performed well to begin 2026 -- he hasn't allowed a run across five innings while allowing only three baserunners -- it appears that Soto is the preferred option for saves for the time being.

Pagan earned the save in Friday's 5-3 win over the Rangers, striking out one in a perfect ninth inning.

Pagan was called upon to protect a two-run lead in the ninth and did so on just 13 pitches. It marked the 34-year-old's first clean frame of the season and was a much-needed rebound after he allowed four runs in a non-save situation Wednesday. He's now 2-for-3 in save chances while allowing five earned runs through 4.1 innings.

Soto earned a save in Friday's 5-4 win over the Orioles, allowing one run on one hit with three strikeouts in one inning.

It was Soto's fifth appearance of the young season, but it was the left-hander's first save of 2026 after he pitched clean ninth innings Tuesday and Wednesday against the Reds in 8-3 victories. Soto struck out the side against the Orioles on Friday but did allow a solo home run to Gunnar Henderson with two outs. Soto looks to be manager Don Kelly's preferred closer option, which makes sense given the reliever's sterling 11:2 K:BB across 5.1 innings of work.

Ross was designated for assignment by the Diamondbacks on Friday, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.

Ross broke camp with the big club but quickly pitched his way off the roster, allowing eight earned runs on seven hits and four walks while striking out two across 3.2 innings out of the Arizona bullpen to begin the 2026 season. Taylor Rashi's contract was selected in a corresponding move.

The Diamondbacks selected Rashi's contract from Triple-A Reno on Friday.

The right-hander missed out on Arizona's Opening Day roster but will now get a look in the big leagues. Rashi made 10 appearances in his first taste of the majors last year and posted a 4.41 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 22:8 K:BB across 16.1 innings.

Walker pitched the sixth inning and retired the only two batters he faced in Thursday's win over the Mets.

Walker entered in the sixth with one out, no one on base and the Giants sporting a four-run lead. According to Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area, Giants manager Tony Vitello said the staff discussed before the game using Walker directly after starting pitcher Robbie Ray because they offer essentially opposite looks for hitters. Blade Tidwell followed Walker after the Giants tacked on another run and wound up getting a three-inning save. Walker still looks like the favorite for saves in the San Francisco bullpen, but his usage Thursday indicates Vitello won't always hold Walker back for the ninth inning. If the Giants' closer situation turns into more of a committee, Keaton Winn and others could get into the mix.

Manaea allowed one run on four hits and two walks over 3.2 innings of relief in Thursday's loss to the Giants. He struck out two.

After taking over for David Peterson with one out in the fifth inning, Manaea saved the rest of the Mets' bullpen by lasting the rest of the game and throwing 74 pitches (44 strikes). Manaea's fastest pitch of the night was just 91.3 mph and he routinely sat below 90 mph with his two-seamer and four-seamer, but he's made it work with the reduced velocity so far, posting a 1.80 ERA and 4:4 K:BB over two long-relief appearances covering five innings. The 34-year-old lefty appears to be a long way from regaining a spot in the rotation, however, even if an injury were to open up a slot.

Lopez (1-0) earned the win over Arizona on Thursday, allowing one run on four hits and one walk while striking out three batters over five innings.

Lopez gave up Jordan Lawlar's first MLB homer -- a big 424-foot solo blast -- in the third inning, but that's the only run the veteran hurler allowed. Meanwhile, Atlanta had a big day on offense, with an eight-run fifth inning giving Lopez an enormous cushion ahead of his final frame. The right-hander has had a nice beginning to the campaign, allowing just two runs (both on solo homers) over 11 innings while posting a 6:3 K:BB across his first two starts. Lopez made only one appearance last season before injuring his shoulder and missing the remainder of the campaign, but he was an All-Star in 2024, so it's feasible that he could be a viable fantasy asset throughout 2026 if he can remain healthy.

Perez gave up two hits, including a solo home run, in two-thirds of an inning Wednesday to record his first hold of the season in an extra-inning loss to the Phillies.

The 29-year-old lefty entered the game with two outs in the seventh inning and retired Kyle Schwarber, but Bryce Harper then took Perez deep to lead off the eighth as the Nationals' bullpen squandered a 5-0 lead. Perez may not hang onto a high-leverage role much longer if he can't keep the ball in the park -- he's served up two homers in his first three appearances and 2.2 innings this season, although his 3:0 K:BB is more promising than his 6.75 ERA.