MLB Player News

Martinez worked a scoreless inning, retiring all three batters he faced in Wednesday's 6-2 win over the Marlins.

With the Diamondbacks holding a 4-1 lead entering the eighth inning, manager Torey Lovullo had the late-game crew -- Martinez and A.J. Puk -- warming in the bullpen. Arizona then scored twice in the top half of the inning, increasing the lead to beyond what would qualify as a save. Lovullo stuck to the plan and had Puk work the bottom of the eighth with left-handers due up, then brought in Martinez to finish up. The latter needed just eight pitches to seal the win, making his seventh straight scoreless appearance to start the season.

Scott earned a save against the Rockies on Wednesday, allowing one hit and striking out three batters in a scoreless inning of work.

Scott was tasked with protecting a one-run lead in the ninth inning. The lefty allowed a two-out single but otherwise overwhelmed Colorado, recording all three of his outs on punchouts. Scott needed just 10 pitches to record that trio of strikeouts, and he notched an impressive six whiffs on those offerings. He is tied for the third in the league with six saves on the season and has posted a standout 10:0 K:BB over 10 innings.

Jackson earned a save against the Angels on Wednesday, retiring all three batters he faced in the ninth inning.

Jackson made quick work of Los Angeles to protect a two-run lead in the ninth frame, as he needed just six pitches to get through the inning. The right-hander was rewarded with his sixth save of the campaign, though this was his first save (and first save opportunity) since April 5. Jackson is tied for third in MLB in saves on the season, and since giving up three runs in his season debut March 27, the right-hander hasn't surrendered any runs over his subsequent eight outings, covering 7.2 frames.

Miller struck out all three batters he faced in a perfect inning to earn a save against the White Sox on Wednesday.

Miller entered the game with a two-run lead in the ninth inning and retired the side in order on 12 pitches. White Sox batters looked overwhelmed against the fireballing closer, as all three batters Chicago sent to plate went down on strikes. Miller got six whiffs on just 12 total pitches, and he has now struck out at least one batter -- and allowed zero runs -- in all six of his outings this season. He's dominated with a 12:1 K:BB over six frames to cement his status as one of the league's top closers.

Cruz picked up the save in Wednesday's win over the Royals after allowing one hit and one walk in two innings. He struck out two.

With both closer Devin Williams and setup man Luke Weaver having worked each of the past two days, Cruz was given a rare save chance and recorded six outs to get the job done. Cody Bellinger made a spectacular diving catch in right field for the final out of the game. Cruz has a strong 2.79 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and 16:3 K:BB over 9.2 innings this year, but he's unlikely to see more than a handful of save opportunities in 2025 as long as the top of the Yankees' bullpen is healthy.

Slaten earned the save after throwing a clean ninth inning in Wednesday's win over the Rays. He struck out two.

Slaten faced little resistance, retiring the side on just 11 pitches (eight strikes) for his second save of the season. Aroldis Chapman remains the favorite for save opportunities out of the Boston bullpen, although the left-hander can cede the occasional chance based on certain matchups. The right-handed Slaten, who now holds a 5.14 ERA, 0.71 WHIP and 5:1 K:BB through seven innings, was called upon to face three right-handed batters Wednesday.

Long (elbow) is expected to resume playing catch this weekend, MLB.com reports.

After Long was placed on the 15-day injured list Sunday due to left elbow inflammation, doctors advised him not to throw for five days while he waited for the swelling to subside. Assuming Long is cleared to start throwing again after the five-day shutdown, he likely won't require a lengthy ramp-up period, given that the Royals plan to deploy him as a 1-to-2-inning reliever once he's activated.

Munoz earned the save Wednesday against the Reds after tossing a scoreless ninth inning.

Munoz was called in for the ninth frame to protect a two-run lead, and he needed 19 pitches (of which 13 were strikes) to close things out. It was Munoz's seventh save of the season, which leads the American League and is second-most in the majors behind Robert Suarez (eight). Munoz has converted on all of his save opportunities this season and has not yielded a run with a 12:4 K:BB across nine innings.

Newcomb didn't factor into the decision Wednesday against the Rays after allowing four hits and two walks in 4.2 scoreless innings. He struck out four.

Despite falling one out shy of nabbing the potential win, Newcomb scattered four singles and didn't allow a single runner to reach third base during his time on the bump. Through 17.1 innings (four starts) this season, the journeyman southpaw holds a solid 3.63 ERA and 19:9 K:BB but a concerning 1.90 WHIP. Newcomb will be looking to work into the fifth inning for the first time this year in his next time out, currently slated for next week at home against the Mariners.

Little allowed one run and retired two batters in relief during Wednesday's 4-2 loss to the Padres while also walking four.

After getting recalled from Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday with Eli Morgan (elbow) moving to the injured list, Little struggled to find the plate in his 2025 MLB debut. Command has been the lefty's weakness so far in the majors, as he posted a 5.4 BB/9 during a brief stint in 2023 and then followed that up with a 6.2 mark last year while logging 26 innings for the Cubs. Little has good stuff, but if he keeps walking batters at a high rate, he will remain a low-leverage reliever at best with limited fantasy upside.