MLB Player News

Zerpa (0-2) was tagged with the loss Saturday against the Pirates after allowing three runs (one earned) on one hit and one walk across two-thirds of an inning. He struck out one.

Zerpa entered for the 10th inning but never really found his footing, recording just two outs on 16 pitches (10 strikes). The left-hander has allowed runs in all but two of his last eight outings. Even though he's recorded two saves this year, Zerpa's 6.39 ERA and 1.74 WHIP through 12.2 innings taints any fantasy upside.

Ramirez earned the save Saturday against the Brewers after tossing a scoreless 10th inning, striking out two.

Dennis Santana worked the eighth inning and Gregory Soto the ninth, leaving Ramirez to handle the save chance once the Pirates took a lead in the top of the 10th. The right-hander tossed 10 of his 15 pitches for strikes, retiring William Contreras with a groundout before fanning Jake Bauers and Tyler Black. Ramirez has struck out at least two in five of his last seven appearances, and he seems to be getting back on track after allowing four runs (two earned) during a two-outing stretch in mid-April. Ramirez has a 2.04 ERA and a 19:9 K:BB across 17.2 innings in 12 appearances in 2026, but he has two wins and just one hold in addition to Saturday's save.

Soto (2-0) earned the win in relief Saturday against the Brewers after tossing a scoreless ninth inning, striking out one.

Soto needed 14 pitches (nine strikes) to get the job done in the bottom of the ninth inning, and he was credited with the win after the Pirates scored three runs in the top of the 10th. It was a bounce-back performance after the lefty surrendered two earned runs in his previous outing Wednesday Soto has posted eight scoreless outings over his last nine appearances and owns an excellent 1.98 ERA over 13.2 innings in 2026. He and Dennis Santana should continue to split closing duties for Pittsburgh.

Varland blew the save Saturday against the White Sox, allowing no runs on one hit and no walks in the eighth inning. He struck out one.

Although it was Varland who was charged with the blown save, both of Chicago's two runs scored in the eighth frame went against Mitchell Parker, who allowed back-to-back baserunners to open the inning. Varland has been working his way into a tandem at closer with Clayton Beeter, and Saturday's showing shouldn't affect his status in the Nationals' bullpen. Through 10.1 innings, Varland has a 3.48 ERA, 1.55 WHIP and 12:3 K:BB while converting two his four save chances.

Miller threw a perfect ninth inning to earn the save in Saturday's 6-4 win over the Diamondbacks. He did not record a strikeout.

Miller was summoned to protect a two-run lead in the ninth and did so on 13 pitches. According to AJ Cassavell of MLB.com, the right-hander now holds the Padres' record for the longest regular-season scoreless streak at 34.2 innings, which ranks eighth in major-league history among relievers. Of that stretch, 13.1 frames have come in 2026, and Miller is a perfect 10-for-10 in save chances with a 0.38 WHIP and a ridiculous 27:2 K:BB to open the campaign.

O'Brien (3-1) blew the save and took the loss Saturday as the Cardinals fell 11-9 to the Mariners, giving up two runs on four hits and a walk in an inning of work. He struck out one and also hit a batter with a pitch.

There weren't many St. Louis pitchers who had success Saturday, and O'Brien wasn't immune to the malaise. The right-hander entered the game in the eighth inning with one out and runners on second and third to protect a 9-7 lead, but a Connor Joe single tied things up and stuck O'Brien with his second blown save of the year in nine chances. He then came back out for the ninth and loaded the bases before a Leo Rivas single put Seattle in front for good. The earned runs on O'Brien's ledger were his first of 2026, and despite the stumble he still boasts a 1.26 ERA, 0.77 WHIP and 16:1 K:BB through 14.1 innings.

Pittsburgh recalled Sanders from Triple-A Indianapolis on Saturday.

Sanders had a very brief stint with the big-league club in mid-April, getting into one game and allowing four runs over two-thirds of an inning. His call back to the majors Saturday corresponds with starter Braxton Ashcraft (personal) being placed on the bereavement/family medical emergency list. Sanders could be in for another short stint with the Pirates if Ashcraft isn't out beyond the seven-day maximum.

Bowlan (groin) is set to begin a minor-league rehab assignment with Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Saturday.

Bowlan landed on the 15-day IL on April 13 due to a right groin strain. He's been throwing bullpen sessions and will now take another step in his rehab by seeing game action. Bowlan is eligible to return from the injured list Tuesday, and it's feasible that he'll be ready to return to Philadelphia's bullpen at that time.

Cincinnati optioned Nicolas to Triple-A Louisville on Saturday.

Nicolas spent the past two weeks on the big-league roster and got into seven games, struggling to an 8.59 ERA, 2.86 WHIP and 7:13 K:BB over 7.1 innings. That damage was largely a result of two poor outings during which he yielded a combined seven runs across 1.2 frames; in his other five appearances, he wasn't charged with any earned runs. Nonetheless, Nicolas' awful 31.0 percent walk rate is likely something he'll be tasked with working on while in the minors.

Rolison (1-0) tossed three scoreless innings of relief to earn the win in Friday's 6-4 victory over the Dodgers. He allowed two hits and struck out one.

Rolison entered in the sixth inning with the Cubs down 4-0. The lefty pitched well enough to keep his team in the game, and then picked up his first win with Chicago and second at the MLB level when the Cubs rallied with six runs across the final three frames. This was just the second appearance of the season for Rolison, who was called up from Triple-A Iowa on April 14. He appeared in 31 games for the Rockies last year, posting a 7.02 ERA across 42.1 innings.