MLB Player News

Neris allowed one run on two hits and one walk but recorded the final three outs of Saturday's game against the Brewers to earn his sixth save of the season. He struck out one batter.

Neris put the tying run in scoring position with just one out, but he then buckled down and retired Tyler Black and Willy Adames to preserve the win for starter Jameson Taillon. With six saves in as many attempts since April 20, and with Adbert Alzolay struggling to get on track in lower-leverage situations, Neris appears to be shoring up his spot in the ninth inning under manager Craig Counsell.

Myers (0-2) took the loss to the Cubs on Saturday, allowing four runs on three hits and four walks over three innings. He struck out two batters.

Nico Hoerner and Christopher Morel touched Myers up for homers, sending the right-hander to his second loss in three starts. Walks had not been an issue for Myers in his first two turns, as he walked only one batter in his first 10 innings, but he couldn't find the strike zone and/or didn't trust his stuff enough on this particular day to fill up the zone. While it was a step backward, Myers projects to remain in the rotation for the time being with DL Hall (knee) and Jakob Junis (shoulder) still without definitive timetables.

Atlanta selected Stephens' contract from Triple-A Gwinnett on Saturday.

Stephens has posted a 3.86 ERA and 13:2 K:BB over 9.1 innings with Gwinnett this season. He pitched in five games for Atlanta last season, yielding four runs over 12 frames. Stephens will operate in low-leverage situations.

Alexander (ribs) started Single-A Stockton's loss to Visalia on Friday, allowing an earned run on two hits over one inning. He struck out one.

Alexander located 12 of his 16 pitches for strikes and came away from his first game action in nearly two months feeling good, per MLB.com. The veteran left-hander is due for another rehab appearance with the Ports on Tuesday against San Jose, and if he remains free of setbacks, his rehab assignment will move to Triple-A Las Vegas.

Banks struck out the only batter he faced to record the final out of Saturday's 6-5 extra-inning win over the Cardinals and collect his first save of the season.

The 32-year-old southpaw faced Ivan Herrera with the bases loaded and two outs after a rain delay that lasted over three hours interrupted the 10th inning, and Banks got the job done on four pitches. John Brebbia had originally gotten the call in the save situation before the delay, while Michael Kopech pitched the ninth, so Banks' usage was more due to the unusual circumstances than his prominence in the White Sox bullpen. On the season, Banks has a 5.65 ERA and 1.88 WHIP through 14.1 innings, but his 18:4 K:BB suggests he's been unlucky so far.

The Blue Jays acquired Kuhnel from the Astros on Saturday in exchange for cash considerations, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

Kuhnel had been designated for assignment by the Astros and now finds himself in a new organization. The big righty holds a career 6.30 ERA at the major-league level and will head to Triple-A Buffalo where he'll give the Jays experienced relief depth.

Sands struck out one in a perfect ninth inning Saturday to record his second save of the season in a 3-1 win over the Red Sox.

Jhoan Duran surprisingly worked the eighth and got the hold against the heart of Boston's order, leaving Sands to face the 7-8-9 hitters. With Brock Stewart (shoulder) on the shelf, Sands could be moving up in the bullpen pecking order for the Twins, but Griffin Jax and Caleb Thielbar had also both pitched Friday and were likely only available in an emergency. Sands has pitched well enough to earn a high-leverage role, posting a 2.93 ERA, 0.85 WHIP and 22:2 K:BB through 15.1 innings.

Duran gave up a hit and struck out two in a scoreless eighth inning Saturday to record his first hold of the season in a 3-1 win over the Red Sox.

The right-hander got the call to face the heart of Boston's order in the eighth rather than being held back for the save chance, and he got the job done without issue. Cole Sands then worked the ninth inning for the save. Duran had only one hold last season along with his 27 saves, and Twins manager Rocco Baldelli typically favors set roles in his bullpen over playing matchups in high-leverage spots, so there's no reason yet to assume this is a sign Duran will see less ninth-inning work than expected. He's appeared in three games since making his season debut Tuesday, posting a 5:0 K:BB over three scoreless frames and collecting saves in the other two contests.

Cano allowed one walk but retired the final two batters of Saturday's game against the Reds to earn his first save of the season.

Craig Kimbrel was pulled from the game after allowing two hits and a walk in the bottom of the ninth. Cano entered and walked the first batter he faced to load the bases, but the 30-year-old ultimately worked his way out of it with a strikeout and a flyout. Kimbrel earned the save in Friday's game but had back-to-back blown saves to end April and has been nursing a back issue recently. If Kimbrel needs some time to get right, Cano would presumably step into the closer's role after he recorded eight saves and 31 holds a season ago.

Holmes gave up a hit and struck out two in 1.1 scoreless innings Saturday to record his 11th save of the season in a 5-3 win over the Tigers.

The right-hander is tied with the Cardinals' Ryan Helsley for the league lead in saves. Holmes kept his ERA a pristine 0.00 with Saturday's performance, although he did give up three unearned runs in his one blown save, and through 15 innings he's delivered a 0.92 WHIP and 18:1 K:BB.