MLB Player News

King retired the only batter he faced in the ninth inning to earn a one-out save in Saturday's 8-7 win over the Nationals.

King entered to protect a one-run lead with a runner on first and two outs in the ninth inning and got CJ Abrams to fly out for his first career save. It was likely a lefty-on-lefty matchup play by manager Clayton McCullough, but the 31-year-old southpaw also owns a stellar 0.54 ERA, 0.54 WHIP and 15:6 K:BB across 16.2 innings this season. Closer Pete Fairbanks (hand) is hopeful to return soon, but King has at least worked his way into the ninth-inning equation until that happens.

Johnson threw a perfect ninth inning to earn the save in Saturday's 3-1 win over the Astros. He did not record a strikeout.

With Emilio Pagan (hamstring) expected to miss significant time and presumed replacement Tony Santillan struggling, the Reds turned to Graham Ashcraft in the eighth inning and then Johnson in the ninth. Johnson needed just 12 pitches to retire the heart of the Astros' order, and he now owns a 3.38 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 15:5 K:BB across 16 innings with two holds and a save. While the Reds' closer situation is likely still unsettled, the 34-year-old certainly helped his case for future save chances with Saturday's performance.

The Dodgers placed Stewart on the 15-day injured list Saturday due to a left foot bone spur, Noah Camras of SI.com reports.

Stewart was cleared to make his 2026 debut Wednesday after opening the season on the 15-day IL while continuing to recover from right shoulder surgery that he underwent in September. He appeared in two games out of the bullpen for the Dodgers, tossing two scoreless and hitless innings while striking out three batters. Stewart is eligible to return from the IL in late May, though it's unclear whether he'll be ready by then. Blake Snell (shoulder) was activated from the 15-day IL in a corresponding move.

Martinez (elbow) tossed a bullpen session Friday, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports.

This was Martinez's first time throwing off a mound since he underwent Tommy John surgery on his right elbow last July. Per Piecoro, the reliever was at 96-to-99 mph with his fastball during the bullpen session. Martinez still has several more hurdles to clear in his rehab program, and he's not expected to be ready to return to Arizona's bullpen until sometime after the All-Star break.

The Rockies moved Herget to the bereavement/family medical emergency list Saturday.

Herget spent time on the paternity list in late April, and he's now going to be away from the team again while dealing with a personal matter. The parameters of the bereavement list require Herget to miss at least three, and no more than seven, games. Seth Halvorsen was called up from Triple-A Albuquerque in a corresponding move to fill Herget's spot in Colorado's bullpen.

Martinez and the Rays won't face the Red Sox on Saturday, as the game was postponed due to inclement weather, Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald reports.

Saturday's game will be made up during a doubleheader July 17, and the Rays will likely push Martinez's next outing back to Sunday. The 35-year-old righty has been outstanding on the mound so far this season, posting a 1.71 ERA through 42 innings and allowing two or fewer runs in all seven of his starts.

Fairbanks (hand) is scheduled to throw live batting practice Sunday and will then travel with the Marlins for the team's road series in Minnesota, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Fairbanks landed on the IL on April 28 due to nerve irritation in his right hand, but he tossed two bullpen sessions this week and is now lined up to throw to hitters. The veteran reliever is eligible to be activated May 13, and it sounds like he could be back in action that day. Fairbanks will likely reclaim the team's closer role upon his return. Calvin Faucher and Tyler Phillips have notched one save apiece during Fairbanks' absence.

The Red Sox optioned Anderson to Triple-A Worcester on Saturday, Ari Alexander of 7 News Boston reports.

Anderson was recalled from Triple-A on Friday, but Justin Slaten's (oblique) return from the injured list Saturday will cause Anderson to return to the WooSox without appearing for the big club. The 26-year-old righty has surrendered three earned runs in eight innings with Boston and owns a 4.50 ERA through 18 frames in the minors.

The Red Sox reinstated Slaten (oblique) from the injured list Saturday, Ari Alexander of 7 News Boston reports.

After pitching two shutout innings during his rehab assignment with Triple-A Worcester, Slaten will return to Boston's bullpen, ending a month-long absence due to an oblique strain. Jack Anderson was optioned to Worcester in a corresponding move.

The Rays optioned Englert to Triple-A Durham on Saturday.

Englert pitched 3.1 shutout innings in bulk relief Friday, giving up just two hits and striking out three batters in the process. The 26-year-old righty now owns a 5.63 ERA and 1.56 WHIP through 16 big-league innings this season and could be an option for additional opportunities with the Rays down the road as a starter or multi-inning reliever. Right-hander Aaron Brooks was promoted from Durham in a corresponding move.