MLB Player News

Almonte (1-0) pitched a scoreless inning of relief with two strikeouts to earn the win in Sunday's 8-1 victory over the Dodgers.

After the Cubs received only four innings from starter Shota Imanaga due to a lengthy rain delay, Almonte worked the fifth and walked away with his first win of 2024. The righty struggled two outings ago, allowing three runs while retiring just one batter, which has saddled him with a 9.00 ERA in the early going. However, Almonte has good raw stuff, and Chicago seems committed to letting him figure things out at the MLB level.

Diaz pitched a perfect ninth inning to earn his second save in Sunday's 3-1 victory over the Reds. He struck out two.

Diaz was dominant in picking up his second save of the series, needing just 12 pitches to finish off the Reds. Sunday represented Diaz's fifth appearance of the season. He's allowed only two baserunners and has struck out eight while not allowing an earned run over five frames.

Anderson allowed two runs on four hits and a walk over three innings Sunday, striking out one batter and earning a save over the Angels.

For the second time this month, Anderson secured a three-inning save in a blowout win. Those have also been his only two appearances so far this season. Anderson has produced a 3.00 ERA with a 4:1 K:BB through six innings. He should continue working in a long-relief role.

Finnegan earned the save Sunday against Philadelphia, allowing no hits and one walk over a scoreless inning while striking out one.

Finnegan took another step away from his March 31 blown save, registering a second consecutive scoreless and hitless outing en route to his third save of 2024. With the Nationals still in the basement of the National League, Finnegan likely won't have much room to grow from his 28-save total in 2023, but he appears to be locked in as the club's closer in the early part of the campaign.

Palencia secured a save after he pitched three innings, surrendering one run on a hit and two walks while striking out two batters in Sunday's 8-1 win over the Dodgers.

Palencia was called up from Triple-A Iowa on Sunday, and he was instantly given some extended run. Outside of an RBI double by Shohei Ohtani in the top of the eighth inning, the 24-year-old held Los Angeles down while recording the final nine outs of the contest. Palencia appeared in 27 games with the Cubs in 2023, producing a 4.45 ERA and 1.27 WHIP with 33 strikeouts over 28.1 innings, something he'll look to build off of in 2024.

Doval allowed one hit in a scoreless inning and punched out three batters to earn a save over the Padres on Sunday.

Doval coughed up a two-out single but had no trouble slamming the door to secure the 3-2 win. It was his second straight scoreless appearance and his first save of the 2024 campaign. He got four whiffs on 11 swings and now owns a 5:2 K:BB through 2.2 frames.

Santana earned the save Sunday against the Blue Jays, allowing no hits and no walks over 1.2 scoreless innings. He struck out two.

Santana was given another opportunity Sunday after allowing two runs in his first appearance of 2024 on Friday and delivered a five-out save. The reliever had his contract selected from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on April 5, but considering his career 5.18 ERA, Santana will likely be at the back end of the Yankees' bullpen and see minimal high-leverage work moving forward.

Armstrong pitched two innings, allowing one run on a hit and a walk while striking out one batter and securing a save in Sunday's 3-2 win over the Rockies.

Armstrong was called upon to protect a 3-1 lead in the bottom of the eighth frame, entering the game with no outs and the bases loaded. He was able to escape the inning unscathed before surrendering a run in the bottom of the ninth frame, but he was able to secure his first save of the 2024 campaign. Armstrong has been shaky at best so far this season, giving up five runs (four earned) over 6.1 innings in four appearances with Tampa Bay.

Taylor (biceps) was transferred to the 60-day injured list Sunday.

Taylor will now be forced to be out of action until at least late May as he recovers from a left biceps injury. The move was made in correspondence with the Royals' acquisition of right-handed reliever from the Pirates on Sunday.

Selby was traded from the Pirates to the Royals on Sunday in exchange for minor-league lefty pitcher Connor Oliver.

Selby was designated for assignment by Pittsburgh on Tuesday, and he'll now head to his new home in Kansas City. The 26-year-old made two appearances with Triple-A Indianapolis this season, tossing two scoreless innings while striking out a batter. He'll likely begin his tenure with the Royals at Triple-A Omaha, where he'll look to impress in order to earn a shot with the major-league roster down the road.