MLB Player News

The Royals returned Morgan to Triple-A Omaha following Saturday's doubleheader with the Brewers.

Morgan will head back to Omaha following a dominant relief outing in his Royals debut Saturday. After Kansas City called up the veteran righty from Omaha ahead of the second game of the twin bill and designated him as its 27th man, Morgan proceeded to strike out five batters while allowing two baserunners over three scoreless frames en route to earning his second career save in the Royals' 8-2 win.

With Cade Horton (forearm) set to land on the injured list, Assad is an option to get promoted from the minors and fill his rotation spot, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Horton departed Friday's contest after only an inning of work due to right forearm discomfort, and he will be examined more fully to determine the extent of the injury. Following a rainout Saturday, the Cubs don't have to worry about Horton's spot in the rotation again until Wednesday. Assad is a candidate to get the call from Triple-A Iowa, though it appears to be more likely that Ben Brown or Colin Rea moves over from the bullpen and into the rotation. Even if Assad isn't needed right away, he could be next in line if any other Chicago pitchers go down.

Romano earned a save against the Mariners on Saturday, striking out one batter in a perfect inning of work.

Romano entered in the ninth frame with the task of protecting a 1-0 lead. He got through the inning unscathed thanks in part to right fielder Jo Adell, who robbed J.P. Crawford of what had appeared to be a game-tying leadoff homer. Romano retired the next two batters on a popout and a punchout, giving him three saves in three chances to begin the campaign. He's putting a stranglehold on the Angels' closer role with 4.2 scoreless frames and a 7:2 K:BB through five appearances.

Holmes (2-0) earned the win over San Francisco on Saturday, allowing three hits and walking two batters while striking out four over seven scoreless innings.

Holmes allowed exactly one baserunner in each of his first four innings and then went into shutdown mode. Over his final three frames, he yielded just one baserunner (a single). Holmes wasn't overpowering, getting just seven whiffs and four punchouts, but he picked up his second win and first quality start of the campaign. Through two outings, he has allowed just two runs across 12.2 frames while posting a 9:5 K:BB.

Duran struck out one batter during a perfect ninth inning to earn the save against the Rockies on Saturday.

Duran entered in the ninth frame with the task of protecting a one-run lead. He did so without any drama, retiring the side in order on just eight pitches. Duran has ended with either a decision or a save in each of his five outings this season -- overall, he has a 1-1 record with three saves in three chances. He's given up just one earned run over 4.2 innings while posting a dominant 7:0 K:BB.

Santana (2-0) earned the win in Saturday's 3-2 victory over the Orioles, striking out one while not allowing a baserunner during the ninth inning.

The right-hander entered for the top of the ninth inning with the game tied 2-2, and he retired the side in order on 13 pitches (10 strikes). That set up Santana for the victory when the Pittsburgh offense came through with a walk-off in the bottom of the frame. The veteran reliever was expected to begin the season as Pittsburgh's primary closer, but it was Gregory Soto that picked up the club's first ninth-inning save of the season Friday. Santana has given up just one hit with a 4:2 K:BB through six appearances this year, splitting those outings evenly between the eighth and ninth innings. He remains in the mix for saves and is clearly a trusted high-leverage arm, but Soto currently seems to be the favored closing option.

Megill picked up the save Saturday against the Royals, allowing no hits and two walks in a scoreless ninth inning. He struck out two.

The right-hander did make things interesting, allowing the tying run to get to the plate, but he caught Vinnie Pasquantino looking to end the game. Though Abner Uribe presents a pretty considerable threat in the bullpen, Megill looks to be Milwaukee's primary closer to begin the new year. He's converted each of his first two save chances, but Megill has walked three over three innings so far and will be looking to improve his control going forward.

Bednar picked up his fourth save in Saturday's 9-7 win over the Marlins, allowing one run on three hits and one walk with two strikeouts across one inning.

Bednar didn't make it easy on himself and needed 33 pitches to record his three outs in the ninth inning. All three hits Bednar allowed were singles, and he also walked Liam Hicks. Bednar's last two appearances have been tumultuous, surrendering two runs on six hits across 2.1 innings, but he's now a perfect 4-for-4 in save opportunities this season. After throwing so many pitches Saturday, Bednar may be unavailable for Sunday's series finale, in which case Camilo Doval and Fernando Cruz are the top candidates should a save chance arise.

Mlodzinski did not factor into the decision Saturday, allowing two runs on five hits and three walks over 4.2 innings in a 3-2 victory over Baltimore. He struck out five.

The right-hander started off strong with just two baserunners allowed through three scoreless frames, but he gave up two runs on four hits and a walk in the fourth inning and was unable to make it through the fifth. Mlodzinski's 4.00 ERA and 13 strikeouts through his first two starts of the season are decent, but his 1.56 WHIP and nine combined innings are less encouraging. A road matchup with the Cubs likely awaits next weekend.

Sewald struck out two to record the save after tossing a scoreless and hitless inning in Saturday's 2-1 win over Atlanta.

The veteran right-hander retired the side in order, but Atlanta made him work for it with a pair of eight-pitch at-bats and a total of 21 pitches (14 strikes) Sewald is 3-for-3 in save chances this season and has posted four scoreless outings in five appearances, with the lone exception being Friday's game against Atlanta, when he allowed two runs on two homers over two-thirds of an inning.