MLB Player News

Bender gave up a run on three hits while striking out one in the seventh inning Sunday, recording his fourth hold of the season in a loss to Atlanta.

The right-hander's 5.14 ERA and 1.57 WHIP through seven innings aren't pretty, but Bender leads the Marlins in holds and his 11:2 K:BB indicates he's fully recovered from the Tommy John surgery that cost him all of 2023. Tanner Scott blew the save Sunday and seems to be hanging onto his closer role by a thread, so Bender and Andrew Nardi could begin to see ninth-inning work in his place.

Nardi struck out the side in a perfect eighth inning Sunday to record his third hold of the season in a loss to Atlanta.

The southpaw needed 12 pitches (10 strikes) to knife through the bottom of Atlanta's order, only to see Tanner Scott blow the save in the ninth. Nardi's had a rough start to the season, giving up multiple runs in four of his nine appearances, but his 10:3 K:BB through 7.1 innings is something to build on. Should Scott be removed from the closer role, Nardi is still one of the prime candidates to see save chances in his place despite his horrific 12.27 ERA.

Scott (0-3) took the loss Sunday and blew his first save of the season, giving up three runs on two hits and a walk in the ninth inning against Atlanta. He struck out one.

Called upon to protect a 7-6 lead, Scott instead served up a massive three-run homer to center field by Marcell Ozuna. It's been a brutal start to the season for the left-handed closer, and he's saddled with a 4.70 ERA, 1.83 WHIP and ghastly 7:10 K:BB through 7.2 innings. Scott's job security might be hanging by a thread, and potentially the only thing keeping him in the ninth right now for the Marlins is that no one else in the bullpen has pitched particularly well either.

Minter (2-1) struck out the side in a perfect eighth inning Sunday to record the win over the Marlins.

It was very nearly an immaculate inning, but Minter fired a fastball just off the plate on his first pitch to Jesus Sanchez before getting him to chase three straight cutters. The southpaw then got rewarded for his performance when Marcell Ozuna launched a game-winning homer in the top of the ninth. Minter is curiously still looking for his first hold of 2024, but he's otherwise been outstanding in a high-leverage role, posting a 2.57 ERA, 0.43 WHIP and 11:0 K:BB through seven innings.

Moll (shoulder) made his first appearance in a week for Triple-A Louisville on Sunday while on a rehab assignment. He allowed a walk and struck out one over a scoreless inning.

Moll began his stint with Louisville on March 29 and pitched regularly until the rehab assignment was paused a week ago, per C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic. The pause occurred after he threw on back-to-back days.

Suarez secured the save Sunday against the Dodgers, allowing just a walk during a scoreless ninth inning.

Suarez threw only half his pitches for strikes and allowed a one-out walk to James Outman but proceeded to get Enrique Hernandez to ground into a double play to end the game. Suarez continues to excel in his first true opportunity in a closer role, boasting a 1.08 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 8:3 K:BB in 8.1 innings. He's among the league leaders in saves early on with five and should have a firm grip on the position as of now.

Iglesias pitched a perfect inning Sunday, striking out a batter on his way to a save in a 9-7 win over the Marlins.

Iglesias was called upon to protect the team's two-run lead in the bottom of the ninth inning, setting down Miami in order for his third save of the year. The right-hander rebounded well after he allowed two runs on three hits in his last outing Tuesday, improving to 3-for-3 on save opportunities in 2024. Iglesias has produced a 3.60 ERA and 1.00 WHIP with three strikeouts over five innings in five outings this season.

Alzolay worked around a hit to pitch a scoreless inning and record the save in Sunday's 3-2 win over the Mariners. He struck out two.

Alzolay allowed a run and blew a save in his first appearance of the season, but he's been pretty locked in since then, recording a 1.35 ERA and striking out nine across 6.2 innings. He's also converted three saves in that time, and the righty should stay slotted in as Chicago's closer, with Hector Neris working in a setup role.

Diaz allowed a run on one hit while striking out one batter Sunday. He picked up a save over the Royals in one inning of work.

Diaz was tasked with protecting a 2-0 lead and closed the door despite coughing up a two-out solo shot to Vinnie Pasquantino. Through six innings, Diaz owns an impressive 9:1 K:BB while giving up just one earned run and converting all three of his save chances. The homer he allowed Sunday was the first hit against him since his season debut March 30.

Willingham was optioned to Triple-A Rochester following Sunday's 7-6 loss to the Athletics.

Willingham was called up Friday, but he failed to appear in any of the team's three contests against the A's before returning to the minors. The right-hander will now have to wait for his next chance to join the major-league roster while left-hander Mitchell Parker will take his roster spot with Washington.