MLB Player News

Ginkel earned a save after he pitched one inning, allowing one run on two hits while striking out a batter in Sunday's 5-3 win over the Giants.

Ginkel was tasked with protecting a 5-2 lead in the bottom of the ninth inning, giving up a run on a pair of doubles before striking out Mike Yastrzemski to end the game. The 30-year-old has now converted four out of six save opportunities this season while operating as the team's primary closer with Paul Sewald (oblique) on the shelf. Ginkel sports a 3.48 ERA and 1.16 WHIP with 11 strikeouts over 10.1 innings in 10 appearances this year.

Munoz (1-2) suffered a blown save and picked up the loss after he failed to record an out while allowing two runs (one earned) on three hits in Seattle's 2-1 extra-inning defeat to the Rockies in Game 1 of Sunday's doubleheader.

Munoz was called upon to protect a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the 10th inning, surrendering three consecutives singles and ultimately being tagged with the loss. The right-hander suffered his first blown save of the year while the runs given up were his first since April 5, ending a streak of four straight scoreless appearances. Munoz now owns a 3.68 ERA and 1.64 WHIP with 11 strikeouts over 7.1 innings while going 2-for-3 in save opportunities in eight appearances this season.

Winckowski didn't factor into the decision in Sunday's 6-1 win over the Pirates, allowing one run on three hits over 3.1 innings while striking out one.

Winckowski made his first start of the season in place of Garrett Whitlock (oblique), tossing a season-high 3.1 innings while limiting the Pirates to one run. After tossing no more than 28 pitches over his three previous outings, Winckowski was pulled after 46 pitches Sunday. The 25-year-old righty will get a chance to stretch out his arm more, with Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe noting that Winckowski will stick around in the rotation. His next start is expected to come next weekend, when the Red Sox welcome the Cubs to Fenway Park.

Payamps struck out one in a perfect ninth inning to earn the save in Sunday's 2-0 win at St. Louis.

Payamps rebounded from blowing a save in the series opener by retiring the side in order Sunday on just nine pitches. The right-hander allowed only an inherited runner to score in that outing Friday and has been scored upon in just one of his 10 appearances this season -- though he surrendered four runs in that one outing. Payamps appears to be the current favorite of manager Pat Murphy for the ninth inning, but there's already been significant shifts in usage throughout the first few weeks of the campaign with four different relievers collecting saves. Abner Uribe and Trevor Megill also remain in the mix for now.

Hartwig was recalled from Triple-A Syracuse on Sunday, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

The right-hander was demoted to Triple-A on Wednesday but will quickly rejoin the big club since Brooks Raley (elbow) landed on the injured list. Hartwig delivered a scoreless frame in his lone outing of the season for the Mets.

Bednar tossed one clean inning, striking out one during Sunday's 6-1 loss to the Red Sox.

While the Pirates were down five heading into the ninth, the much-needed nondescript outing was noteworthy for Bednar who had allowed nine runs over his first six innings of the season including seven runs over the last two innings coming into Sunday's action. Bednar's hold on the closer's job in PIttsburgh remains strong as Sunday's outing will hopefully serve to get him back on the right track.

The Angels transferred Stephenson (elbow) to the 60-day injured list Sunday.

It was recently announced Stephenson would undergo season-ending surgery on his right elbow, so it was only a matter of time before he moved to the 60-day IL. The 31-year-old joined the Angels on a three-year, $33 million contract in January but came into spring training injured and has yet to pitch for his new team.

Raley was placed on the 15-day injured list Sunday with left elbow inflammation, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

It's unclear when Raley suffered the injury, but he last pitched Friday and delivered a scoreless two-thirds of an inning. The left-hander landed on the shelf with a similar injury last April and missed just the minimum 15 days, though it's unclear how long he's expected to be out this time around.

Leiter should be one of the Cubs' top options for saves after manager Craig Counsell indicated Sunday that Adbert Alzolay isn't currently considered the club's closer, Steve Greenberg of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Alzolay blew his fourth save of the season in Saturday's doubleheader against Miami, and Counsell has apparently seen enough. Leiter has collected a hold in four straight appearances and has given up just two unearned runs across 10.2 innings this season. Hector Neris earned the save in Game 2 on Saturday and is likely the top candidate for saves, but Counsell hasn't officially named a new closer.

Neris should be one of the top options for saves after manager Craig Counsell indicated Sunday that Adbert Alzolay isn't currently considered the closer, Steve Greenberg of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Neris picked up his first save of the year in Game 2 of Saturday's doubleheader after Alzolay blew his fourth save. Counsell didn't name a replacement, but Neris is the obvious candidate given his usage Saturday and his experience as a high-leverage arm. Mark Leiter should also be in the mix.