MLB Player News

Bednar (1-2) took the loss Friday against the Giants after he allowed three runs on two hits and a walk without recording an out.

Pirates manager Derek Shelton turned to his closer in the bottom of the ninth of a scoreless tie, but Bednar gave up a walk and a single before serving up a walk-off, three-run homer to Patrick Bailey. Bednar entered the contest with three straight scoreless appearances, but he has now allowed at least three runs in three separate outings and has a 12.00 ERA across nine innings overall. The right-hander is 4-for-7 in save opportunities and has seen his job security decline significantly after beginning the campaign as one of the top closers in MLB with 58 saves and a 2.27 ERA in the previous two seasons.

The Pirates recalled Nicolas from Triple-A Indianapolis on Friday, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.

Nicolas ended the 2023 season as part of the Pirates' bullpen. He struggled in his four outings, giving up seven runs on seven hits and four walks while striking out seven over 5.1 frames. Nicolas has looked better in Triple-A this season, posting a 0.84 ERA and 2.06 WHIP over 10.2 innings, and he'll get another shot in the majors. The move corresponds with Ryder Ryan being optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis on Thursday.

The Padres recalled Estrada from Triple-A El Paso on Friday.

Estrada was sent down to Triple-A following the two-game Korea Series against the Dodgers. He's appeared in eight games with El Paso, registering a 2.08 ERA, 0.85 WHIP, 20:3 K:BB and three saves over 8.2 frames, and the right-hander is set to bolster the Padres' bullpen. Estrada's move to the majors corresponds with right-hander Randy Vasquez being optioned to Triple-A El Paso.

The Marlins recalled Maldonado from Triple-A Jacksonville on Friday.

Maldonado will make his major-league debut Friday as the opener against the Nationals. The 26-year-old has a 2.31 ERA, 0.77 WHIP and 10:4 K:BB over 11.2 innings with Jacksonville this season.

Maldonado will be recalled from Triple-A Jacksonville to serve as the Marlins' opening pitcher for Friday's game against the Nationals.

Maldonado will be making his major-league debut after posting a 2.31 ERA, 0.77 WHIP and 10:4 K:BB over 11.2 innings with Jacksonville this season. Since Maldonado hasn't covered more than two innings in any of his eight appearances this season, he's unlikely to stay in the game long. Kyle Tyler could be a candidate for the bulk role behind Maldonado.

Chapman (0-2) allowed two earned runs on two hits and no walks while striking out one to take the loss Thursday against the Brewers.

Chapman entered the game in the eighth inning to protect a one-run lead. He initially ran into some bad luck when a runner reached base on weak contact that didn't leave the infield, but the veteran lefty then threw a wild pitch and served up a home run to Gary Sanchez. Chapman began the season with 5.1 scoreless innings, but he's since allowed six earned runs across his last 2.2 frames and four appearances.

The Marlins reinstated Brazoban (personal) from the restricted list Thursday.

Brazoban landed on the restricted list prior to Opening Day due to visa issues, which have evidently been resolved. Though he's now back on the Marlins' 40-man roster, it's unclear when the reliever might be ready to join the 26-man active roster. Since he missed all of spring training, Brazoban will presumably need to make several appearances in the minors before being an option for the big-league bullpen.

Payamps pitched a scoreless eighth inning of Thursday's 7-5 win over the Pirates, giving up one hit and one walk en route to claiming his third hold of the season.

Just one day after notching his fourth save of the season, Payamps moved to a setup role Thursday, with Trevor Megill coming on in the ninth inning to nab his first save. Brewers manager Pat Murphy hasn't clarified that Megill will be the team's top option for save chances moving forward, so Payamps could end finding himself as part of a committee at closer with Megill and perhaps Abner Uribe.

Megill pitched a perfect ninth inning Thursday to notch his first save of the season in the Brewers' 7-5 win over the Pirates.

Megill and Joel Payamps flipped roles from Wednesday's 3-2 win, when Megill pitched a clean eighth inning before Payamps pitched the ninth and collected the save. It's uncertain whom the Brewers will turn to for the next save opportunity, which tracks with manager Pat Murphy's comments from earlier in the season indicating that intended to "pass the Fireman's hat around" with the save chances once Devin Williams (back) got injured.

Phillips earned a save against the Nationals on Thursday, striking out two batters in a perfect inning of work.

Phillips didn't have any trouble protecting Los Angeles' one-run, ninth-inning lead, striking out the first two batters he faced before inducing a game-ending groundout. The right-hander has yielded just one earned run over 10.2 innings on the season, giving him a minuscule 0.84 ERA. Phillips has converted all seven of his save chances as he continues to build his case as one of the league's most reliable closers.