MLB Player News

Bender (1-1) was charged with a blown save and a loss Friday as the Marlins fell to the Nationals, giving up one run on two hits and a walk in the eighth inning. He struck out one.

The Marlins' bullpen squandered a 4-2 lead over the final two frames in an eventual 7-4 loss, with Bender throwing most of the gas on the fire. After Anthony Veneziano put the first two hitters aboard to begin the eighth, Bender got the call and walked the bases loaded before serving up a one-out double to Nathaniel Lowe that cleared the bases. The run was the first charged to Bender in 6.1 innings this season, but his 3:3 K:BB has been far from dominant. Calvin Faucher hasn't pitched since Tuesday and might be in line to get Miami's next save chance, although his 8.31 ERA and 3:4 K:BB over 4.1 innings don't make him an appealing high-leverage option right now either.

Scott worked a perfect ninth inning Friday to record his fourth save of the season in a 3-0 win over the Cubs.

The southpaw fired 12 of 16 pitches for strikes as he delivered his fourth straight scoreless appearance to begin the month of April. Scott has some bumpy performances in March, but he appears to be settling in as the Dodgers' primary closing option, although there have been plenty of chances to go around. Blake Treinen, who worked the eighth inning Friday, also has two saves, and Alex Vesia picked one up when the Dodgers opened their campaign in Tokyo.

Ashcraft allowed one hit and one walk while striking out two over two scoreless relief innings to earn a hold in Friday's 5-3 win over Pittsburgh.

Ashcraft provided the bridge in the seventh and eighth innings, setting up Emilio Pagan for the save and picking up his second straight multi-inning hold. Ashcraft has not allowed a run over six appearances (7.1 innings) this season. Reds manager Terry Francona has leaned on Pagan as the team's closer, as the manager navigates endgame situations without Alexis Diaz (hamstring). However, Ashcraft's move from starter to reliever has been a success thus far and could eventually earn him save chances.

Diaz recorded his third save of the season in Friday's 7-6 win over the A's, giving up two runs on one hit and two walks in the ninth inning. He struck out one.

Called in to protect a 7-4 lead, Diaz nearly made a hash of it as he led off the ninth by issuing two walks sandwiched around a strikeout of Brent Rooker. A Shea Langeliers double and a JJ Bleday sacrifice fly brought home both free passes, but Diaz got Jacob Wilson to ground out to escape the jam. The veteran closer has yet to blow a save in 2025, but Diaz has been tagged for five runs in his last two appearances, leaving him with a 7.94 ERA, 1.76 WHIP and 7:4 K:BB through 5.2 innings.

Graveman (back) threw a bullpen session Friday, Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports reports.

Graveman, who missed all of spring training with the injury, will require at least one more bullpen session before the next step in his recovery, which is facing live batters. After that, there is expected to be a rehab assignment.

Ginkel (shoulder) threw a bullpen session Friday, Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports reports.

Ginkel, whose shoulder injury surfaced late in spring training, has thrown a couple of sessions and is ready to face live batters. Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said it's likely that Ginkel will throw a rehab game before being activated.

Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said Friday that Matz remains on track to start April 16 against the Astros as part of a six-man rotation, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

Matz will be available out of the bullpen this weekend against the Phillies, although maybe not for multiple innings since he has a start looming Wednesday. It's not yet clear how long the Cardinals plan to use a six-man rotation, but it sounds like Matz will be in line to make multiple starts. The left-hander has pitched well out of the bullpen so far this season, permitting three runs (two earned) with a 5:1 K:BB over 9.1 frames. Matz's high pitch count among his four appearances is 53, and that came back on April 4. He's thrown 16 and 11 pitches over his last two appearances, respectively, so he'll likely have workload limitations versus Houston.

Pagan struck out two batters in a perfect ninth inning to collect his third save of the season in Friday's 5-3 win over the Pirates.

Friday's outing was exactly what Pagan needed to bounce back from his last appearance Wednesday, which saw him give up a walk-off home run against the Giants. He sent Endy Rodriguez and Ke'Bryan Hayes down on strikes, and Jack Suwinski ended things quickly with a flyout on the first pitch he saw. Pagan is still the only reliever in the Reds' bullpen with multiple saves, though he may not get many more ninth-inning chances with Alexis Diaz (hamstring) approaching a return from the IL.

Finnegan earned the save in Friday's 7-4 win over the Marlins, allowing one hit while striking out a batter in a scoreless ninth inning.

Finnegan gave up a leadoff double to Otto Lopez, but the 33-year-old closer proceeded to fan Kyle Stowers before logging two straight groundouts to secure the win. Finnegan has registered a save in each of his last five outings, and he's allowed just one run on six hits and four walks while striking out six across 6.2 innings to begin the season.

Helsley earned the save after allowing one hit in a scoreless ninth inning Friday against the Phillies.

Trea Turner brought the possible tying run to the plate with a leadoff single, but Helsley quickly put out the next three batters he faced on just six pitches to protect a 2-0 victory. The hard-throwing right-hander has blown one save and has struggled with his control to begin the season, posting a 1.67 WHIP and 9:5 K:BB over six frames, but Helsley has given up just two runs and remains St. Louis' go-to weapon in save situations.