MLB Player News

Johnson gave up a hit and struck out one in a scoreless ninth inning Tuesday to record his first save of the season in a 5-2 win over the Nationals.

Raisel Iglesias was unavailable after pitching Sunday and Monday, but he's also been struggling badly of late and hasn't successfully converted a save chance since May 4. Johnson, on the other hand, reeled off his 10th straight scoreless appearance Tuesday, a stretch in which he's posted a 0.20 WHIP and 10:0 K:BB in 10 innings. While manager Brian Snitker hasn't yet indicated he's contemplating a change in the ninth inning, Johnson is making a strong case for a spot in the closing mix, at least until Iglesias rights the ship.

Pagan (0-2) took the loss Tuesday against the White Sox, allowing four runs (three earned) on three hits and a walk while striking out one in 1.2 innings.

Pagan worked a scoreless ninth and came back out for the 10th to try and do the same. He got two quick outs to put himself in a favorable spot but couldn't quite seal the deal, as the White Sox walked, singled and homered to go up 5-1. Pagan has now given up a run in three of his last four outings and has just one save in his last five appearances. He needs one more save to reach double digits for the first time since 2019.

Diaz walked one and struck out one in a scoreless ninth inning Tuesday to record his ninth save of the season in a 2-1 win over the Pirates.

The final frame was more nervous than it appears from a glance at Diaz's line, as a Francisco Lindor error and stolen bases by Adam Frazier and Isiah Kiner-Falefa put runners on second and third with one out. The Mets closer was able to buckle down though, fanning Bryan Reynolds before getting Joey Bart to ground out to second base. Diaz has yet to blow a save this season despite some bumpy appearances and a career-low 96.6 mph average fastball, posting a 3.18 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 24:8 K:BB through 17 innings.

Flexen (1-0) worked around a hit and a walk to toss two scoreless innings of relief and earn the win in Tuesday's 5-4 victory over the Marlins. He struck out one.

Making his fourth appearance in the majors this season, Flexen picked up his first win. After working as a starter in recent years, the veteran has transitioned to the bullpen in 2025, and he's off to a good start for the Cubs. Flexen has yet to allow a run across seven innings of work and he's struck out six. The righty has also covered multiple innings on two occasions, giving Chicago some valuable length in relief.

The Dodgers recalled Feyereisen from Triple-A Oklahoma City on Tuesday.

With Roki Sasaki (shoulder) headed to the injured list, the Dodgers will call upon Feyereisen to add some extra depth to their bullpen. The 32-year-old righty has allowed four runs (two earned) in two-plus MLB innings this season and will likely be reserved for low-leverage situations while in Los Angeles.

Pressly was not used in a save situation Monday, as Drew Pomeranz instead closed out the 5-2 win over the Marlins.

Pressly last pitched Friday, so fatigue shouldn't have been an issue. It appears the Cubs are ready to try other options at the end of games due to Pressly's struggles. The veteran righty has a 7.07 ERA and 1.93 WHIP, and he's only struck out six batters across 14 innings. Porter Hodge seemed like the most likely ninth-inning alternative coming into the year, but he's also struggled with a 5.71 ERA of his own. The Chicago bullpen is in flux at the moment, and while Pressly could re-emerge as the closer at some point, his fantasy stock is trending down for now.

The Cubs transferred Miller (hip) to the 60-day injured list Tuesday, Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic reports.

Miller has been out all season with a left hip impingement. He's allowed five runs (four earned) over 8.2 innings on a rehab assignment and will be eligible for activation May 20.

Lee struck out both batters he faced Monday to record his sixth hold of the season in a 4-3 win over the Nationals.

The southpaw fanned Josh Bell and Dylan Crews to close out the seventh inning and protect a 3-1 lead. Raisel Iglesias blew his third save of the season in the ninth however, and if the veteran closer's recent struggles cause him to be removed from ninth-inning duties, Lee and right-hander Pierce Johnson would appear to be the top options to handle save situations in his place. Through 16.2 innings over 18 appearances this season, Lee sports a 2.16 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 18:6 K:BB.

Iglesias (3-3) blew the save but picked up the win Monday in a 4-3 victory over the Nationals, giving up two runs (one earned) on three hits and a walk in an inning of relief. He struck out one.

The beleaguered closer had another rough night as he coughed up a two-run lead in the top of the ninth, although Atlanta walked it off in the bottom of the frame. A Nick Allen error didn't help, but Iglesias has been tagged for eight hits and five runs (four earned) over his last three appearances, leaving him with an alarming 6.06 ERA and 1.41 WHIP through 16.1 innings despite a 19:4 K:BB. He's converted just six of nine saves chances, and his average fastball velocity has slipped to 94.7 mph, his lowest mark since 2016. Pierce Johnson (2.45 ERA, 0.89 WHIP, 17:4 K:BB through 14.2 IP) and Dylan Lee (2.16 ERA, 0.90 WHIP, 18:6 K:BB in 16.2 IP) both appear capable of stepping up in save situations if Atlanta decided to move Iglesias into a lower-leverage role while he sorts things out.

Suarez (0-1) allowed five runs on a hit and four walks while striking out one over one-third of an inning, taking the loss and a blown save in Monday's 9-5 loss to the Angels.

Suarez had been one of the most dominant closers in the majors prior to this outing. He threw just 16 of 33 pitches for strikes in the laborious outing, which saw him strike out the leadoff batter before allowing a hit and four straight walks. That left the bases loaded, and Alek Jacob gave up a grand slam to Taylor Ward to complete the Padres' bullpen collapse. Even with a five-run meltdown on his line, Suarez still has a 3.00 ERA, 0.83 WHIP and 19:8 K:BB over 18 innings this season. He's also 15-for-16 in save chances. His status as San Diego's closer won't be called into question after just one bad outing.