MLB Player News

Pagan turned in a perfect ninth inning to earn the save in Saturday's 5-2 win over the Pirates.

Pagan now has saves in back-to-back days as he's established himself as the Reds' preferred ninth-inning option in the absence of Alexis Diaz (hamstring). The 33-year-old Pagan is now 4-for-4 in save chances while allowing two runs (one earned) on two hits through 7.1 innings to start the year.

Iglesias earned the save in Saturday's 5-4 win over the Rays, allowing one run on one hit in the ninth inning. He did not record a walk or a strikeout.

Iglesias was able to protect a two-run lead in the ninth, though he did allow a two-out solo shot to Jonathan Aranda. On the season, the veteran owns a 4.50 ERA, 0.83 WHIP and 7:1 K:BB across six innings while converting two of his three save chances. It's worth noting he has yielded three home runs already after surrendering just four across 69.1 innings in 2024.

Kerkering logged a hold Saturday against St. Louis after recording two outs in the seventh inning. He struck out one.

With the potential tying run at the plate, Kerkering was called upon to safeguard a 4-1 lead in the seventh inning and retired Nolan Gorman and Lars Nootbaar to close the frame. Jose Alvarado has taken over as Philadelphia's favorite for saves for the time being amid Jordan Romano's early-season struggles, but Kerkering remains an option for high-leverage work as well. Although he's blown his lone save opportunity while logging a shaky 1.50 WHIP and 4:3 K:BB, the right-hander has posted three holds and managed to allow just one run through 5.1 innings thus far.

Cano picked up his second hold of the season Saturday against the Blue Jays after giving up one hit in a scoreless seventh inning.

Cano threw six of his nine pitches Saturday for strikes without registering a punchout, and Toronto was able to scratch an inherited runner across via a Bo Bichette groundout. Although Cano has no save opportunities so far this season, the right-hander has yielded just two hits and zero walks while fanning six across five shutout frames. Cano should remain one of Baltimore's primary setup men ahead of closer Felix Bautista going forward, although that role likely won't translate to much fantasy appeal outside of leagues that record holds.

Cubs manager Craig Counsell told reporters Saturday that Rea is "likely" to start in Sunday's series finale against the Dodgers, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Rea served in the Brewers' rotation for the past two seasons, but after signing with the Cubs in January, he earned the spot on the 26-man roster as a long reliever. However, with Justin Steele (elbow) joining Javier Assad (oblique) on the 15-day injured list Wednesday, the Cubs are turning to Rea to make some starts to give the starting rotation the five-day break it needs. Rea appeared in 32 regular-season games (27 starts) for the Brewers in 2024, posting a 12-6 record with a 4.29 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 135:43 K:BB across 167.2 innings.

Miller earned the save in Friday's 3-1 win over the Mets. He allowed one hit while striking out one batter in a scoreless ninth inning.

Miller needed 15 pitches (11 strikes) to get through the ninth inning, with his only blemish coming on a two-out single by Tyrone Taylor. Miller has registered a save in each of his last three outings and is up to four on the year. He has yet to give up a run across five innings of work, recording nine strikeouts against just one walk.

Bautista earned the save in Saturday's 5-4 win over the Blue Jays. He allowed two walks while striking out one batter in a scoreless ninth inning.

Bautista got the call from the bullpen to maintain the Orioles' one-run lead. He walked two batters in a row, and after forcing a groundout, he managed to close things out by striking out Bo Bichette. Bautista missed the entire 2024 season while rehabbing from Tommy John surgery that he underwent October of 2023, and Saturday's save was his first since Aug. 24, 2023, also against the Blue Jays.

Soto picked up a hold Saturday against the Blue Jays after throwing a clean eighth inning, striking out one batter.

Soto made quick work of the heart of Toronto's order to preserve a 5-4 lead, retiring Anthony Santander, Andres Gimenez and George Springer on just nine pitches. It was the first hold of the campaign for Soto, who has now hurled six scoreless innings to go with a 9:2 K:BB so far. The hard-throwing left-hander is one of Baltimore's top setup men and remains a candidate for the occasional save chance when closer Felix Bautista is unavailable, but the Orioles didn't see their first save opportunity of the season until Saturday's contest.

Baker (1-0) was credited with the win Saturday against the Blue Jays despite allowing one run on one hit and one walk in one inning. He struck out one.

Baker replaced Keegan Akin in the sixth inning, recording three outs in the frame before giving up a Nathan Lukes leadoff double in the seventh. Baker was immediately pulled for Yennier Cano, who allowed the inherited runner to score on a Bo Bichette groundout. Baker has zero holds or save opportunities in 2025, so he holds very little fantasy appeal in most formats despite producing a 1.29 ERA, 0.71 WHIP and 8:1 K:BB over seven innings to begin the season.

Akin recorded one out in the fifth inning Saturday against the Blue Jays.

After relieving Tomoyuki Sugano, Akin got Andres Gimenez to fly out to end the frame, stranding Bo Bichette at third base. Akin hasn't seen a save opportunity in 2025 or made a start for the Orioles since 2023, so his fantasy value in most settings is minimal at the moment. That said, the 30-year-old left-hander does have a 2.45 ERA and 1.09 WHIP with two holds over 7.1 innings so far this year.