MLB Player News

Kelly earned a save against the Red Sox on Wednesday, striking out two batters in a perfect inning of work.

Kelly entered in the ninth inning with Tampa Bay clinging to a one-run lead, and he dispatched the first two batters he faced on strikeouts before getting Ceddanne Rafaela to ground out to wrap up his first save of the campaign. Meanwhile, Pete Fairbanks -- who is usually Tampa's closer -- pitched in the eighth inning against the heart of Boston's order and notched a hold. That usage suggests that manager Kevin Cash won't hesitate to deploy Fairbanks in the highest-leverage situations, even when they come before the ninth frame. As such, other Rays relievers (including Kelly) could get save opportunities from time to time, though those chances are probably too unpredictable for fantasy managers to hassle with in leagues that don't reward holds.

Coulombe (1-0) allowed a hit in a scoreless inning and earned the win Wednesday over the Blue Jays. He did not issue a walk or strikeout a batter.

Coulombe did his part in the top of the ninth inning to keep the game within reach for the Orioles, and Adley Rutschman rewarded him by walking it off with a two-run home run. Coulombe has not allowed a run over his last seven appearances, covering 6.1 innings with a 3:0 K:BB in that span. He's at a 2.16 ERA, 0.54 WHIP and 17:2 K:BB through 16.2 innings while adding a save, eight holds and a blown save as a reliable high-leverage arm. With Craig Kimbrel's struggles jolting the Orioles into a closer committee, it appears Coulombe remains more of a setup man at this stage of the campaign.

Weaver struck out three batters, walked one and gave up two hits over two scoreless innings in relief in Wednesday's 4-0 win over the Twins.

Weaver covered the seventh and eighth frames Wednesday, allowing a single in each inning but keeping the Twins off the scoreboard. The veteran right-hander has gone 17.1 frames without giving up an earned run, lowering his season ERA to 2.25 in the process. Weaver has posted an outstanding 30:5 K:BB across 28 innings on the season and has tallied the first five holds of his career after spending most of his previous eight campaigns as a starter.

Thompson (1-1) recorded Wednesday's win over Cincinnati, allowing one hit and striking out one over a scoreless eighth inning.

Thompson, who made an eighth consecutive scoreless appearance, has been the Diamondbacks' best reliever through the first month-and-a-half. The side-arming right-hander sports a 1.00 ERA with just two walks while striking out 13 over 18 innings. He leads the team with six holds.

Kopech walked two and struck out two in a scoreless ninth inning Wednesday to record his fifth save of the season in a 2-0 win over the Nationals.

After working a scoreless frame in the nightcap of Tuesday's doubleheader in a non-save situation, Kopech was called upon again and labored through 33 pitches (20 strikes) before finally getting the job done. The last time the right-hander pitched on back-to-back days, he got the next four days off, so Kopech could be unavailable at least until the weekend. Through 19 appearances this season, he sports a 3.32 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 29:14 K:BB through 21.2 innings.

Brieske tossed a scoreless inning of relief in Wednesday's 2-0 loss to the Marlins. He allowed a hit and a walk, while striking out one.

Brieske was recalled from Triple-A Toledo on Monday and made his 2024 debut for the Tigers in this one. The righty, who made 15 starts for Detroit back in 2022, worked exclusively in relief for Toledo, where he compiled a strong 2.95 ERA and 22:11 K:BB over 21.2 innings. However, as a former starter, Brieske may be able to give the Tigers some length from the bullpen for however long he sticks around.

The Angels recalled Daniel from Triple-A Salt Lake on Wednesday, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

The 26-year-old had a one-day stint in the majors in late April but didn't see game action. Daniel made three appearances for the Angels last season and posted a 2.19 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 9:9 K:BB over 12.1 innings.

Scott earned the save in Wednesday's 2-0 win over the Tigers, allowing two hits while striking out one in a scoreless inning.

The Tigers made things interesting with a pair of two-out singles off Scott in the ninth inning before the left-hander struck out Riley Greene, who represented the winning run, closing out Miami's shutout victory. Scott hasn't allowed an earned run in his last 10.1 innings, striking out 12 in that span. He's 5-for-6 in save opportunities with a 2.00 ERA, 1.56 WHIP and 19:17 K:BB across 18 innings this season.

The Dodgers designated Crismatt for assignment Wednesday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Crismatt was added to the active roster April 27 and has since given up two earned runs through five innings across four appearances. The Dodgers are in need of fresh bullpen arms for Wednesday's game against San Francisco, so they will cast the 29-year-old right-hander off the 40-man for the second time this year and select Elieser Hernandez from Triple-A Oklahoma City to replace Crismatt.

The Dodgers optioned Varland to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Wednesday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Since coming up from the minors in late April, Varland has given up one earned run through 5.1 innings while striking out three batters and walking four. He last pitched Tuesday, so he'll return to the minors to make room for a fresh arm in Eduardo Salazar, as the Dodgers prepare to rely on their bullpen to get them through Wednesday's affair with the Giants.