MLB Player News

Alvarado recorded the final out of Saturday's 11-10 win over the Marlins to pick up his fifth save of the season.

The Phillies took an 11-4 lead into the ninth inning, but Jordan Romano served up two homers en route to giving up six runs in two-thirds of an inning, forcing Alvarado into the game to clean up the mess. The southpaw needed just two pitches to get Xavier Edwards to line out to right field. Alvarado has been dominant to begin the season, going 5-for-5 in converting save chances while posting a 2.79 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 14:2 K:BB through 9.2 innings. While the Phillies have plenty of high-leverage options in the bullpen, Alvarado appears to have a lock on the closer job for the moment.

Holderman (knee) will start his rehab assignment with Triple-A Indianapolis on Saturday, Danny Demilio of PittsburghBaseballNow.com reports.

Holderman was placed on the 15-day injured list April 6 due to a right knee sprain. He was able to progress enough in his recovery to throw live batting practice, and he'll take the next step in his program by embarking on a rehab assignment. Holderman posted a 9.64 ERA and 2.14 WHIP across 4.2 innings before going on the IL.

Topa will open Saturday's game against Atlanta, Phil Miller of The Minnesota Star Tribune reports.

Topa has given up just one run in 6.2 innings this season, and he'll now be tasked with facing the top of Atlanta's lineup Saturday in what will be the first start of his major-league career. The 34-year-old righty will likely remain in the game for just one inning before handing things over to Simeon Woods Richardson, who is due to pitch in bulk relief.

The Pirates placed Mayza on the 15-day injured list Saturday due to a left shoulder lat muscle strain, Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Mayza may have picked up the injury in his last outing Friday against the Guardians, when he gave up two hits while striking out one over 1.2 frames. He will be eligible to return from the IL in early May, though how he responds to treatment over the next few days should determine the length of his rehab program. David Bednar was recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis in a corresponding move.

Lopez had his three-game suspension reduced to two games Saturday following his appeal to MLB, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

Lopez was ejected from Wednesday's game against the Pirates after inciting a bench-clearing brawl when he threw near Andrew McCutchen's head in the seventh inning. Lopez was initially handed a three-game suspension by MLB, but he was able to reduce that to two games, meaning he'll be available out of the Nationals' bullpen for the second leg of Sunday's doubleheader against the Rockies.

The Pirates recalled Bednar from Triple-A Indianapolis on Saturday, Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Bednar was optioned to Triple-A after a rough start in the majors, but he's found his form in Indianapolis, where he has not issued a walk while allowing one hit and striking out six batters across four scoreless innings. Even with Dennis Santana faring well as the Pirates' closer, Bednar should get another chance at the role as long as he carries his strong play from Triple-A into the majors.

The Dodgers activated Phillips (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list Saturday.

Phillips was expected to return from the injured list next week, but he will rejoin the Dodgers on Saturday after Blake Treinen (forearm) was placed on the IL. Phillips has not pitched at the MLB level since Game 6 of the NLCS against the Mets in October due to a right shoulder strain, but he's appeared in six rehab games with Triple-A Oklahoma City. Across those six rehab outings, Phillips registered a 6.35 ERA, 1.92 WHIP and 9:1 K:BB across 5.2 innings.

The Dodgers placed Treinen on the 15-day injured list Saturday due to right forearm tightness, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Manager Dave Roberts said Saturday that Treinen started feeling discomfort in his right forearm after his last outing against the Cubs on April 13. The hope was that some rest would improve the issue, but Treinen experienced more tightness in his forearm while warming up in the bullpen during Friday's contest against the Rangers, prompting his placement on the IL. Evan Phillips (shoulder) will be activated off the 15-day IL in a corresponding move, and he could see some save opportunities behind Tanner Scott for as long as Treinen is sidelined.

The Astros optioned Hernandez to Triple-A Sugar Land on Saturday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

With Forrest Whitley (knee) returning from the injured list, Hernandez will head back to the minors in order to create space on the active roster. The 30-year-old righty never made an appearance for Houston after being recalled Tuesday, but he could be an option for the Astros later in the year after starting with a 1.29 ERA at Sugar Land.

The Diamondbacks selected Morillo's contract from Triple-A Reno on Saturday.

Morillo has allowed one run in 6.1 innings to begin the season at Triple-A, and he'll now be called upon to provide the team with relief depth while Joe Mantiply and Bryce Jarvis head to the minors to correct their early struggles. The 26-year-old Morillo will be making his MLB debut whenever he gets into a game.