MLB Player News

Smith will receive the bulk of the save opportunities for the Rangers moving forward, manager Bruce Bochy told Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News on Wednesday.

Smith collected his team-leading fourth save Tuesday in the Rangers' win over the Diamondbacks. He's recorded each of the club's last three saves to emerge as Bochy's clear lead option. Jose Leclerc entered the season seemingly at the top of the pecking order, and while he has a 0.93 ERA, his velocity has been down and he's walked seven in 9.2 innings.

Karinchak (0-4) allowed a run on two hits and a walk with one strikeout in 1.1 innings, taking the loss and a blown save Tuesday versus the Yankees.

Karinchak relieved starter Tanner Bibee with one out in the sixth inning and promptly allowed an inherited runner to score on Anthony Rizzo's single. Willie Calhoun added a one-out solo home run in the seventh, putting the Yankees ahead and saddling Karinchak with his fourth loss in 16 appearances. The right-handed reliever has given up six runs over 7.1 innings in his last seven appearances, and he now has a poor 5.87 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 19:7 K:BB through 15.1 innings overall. To make matters worse, Karinchak's got a 6.89 FIP and .212 BABIP, which suggests that he's not a victim of bad luck here. He may be at risk of losing a high-leverage role once Sam Hentges (shoulder) is ready to return.

The Marlins outrighted Smeltzer to Triple-A Jacksonville after he cleared waivers Tuesday.

Smeltzer was designated for assignment last week after the Marlins selected the contract of Johan Quezada from Jacksonville. In 12 innings with Miami prior to being removed from the roster, Smeltzer registered a 6.75 ERA and 1.83 WHIP.

Double-A New Hampshire reinstated Danner (forearm) from its 7-day injured list Wednesday.

The 24-year-old reliever was sidelined for just under a month to begin the season due to right forearm inflammation. He received the green light to join New Hampshire after he made a pair of one-inning rehab appearances at Single-A Dunedin, striking out five while allowing one earned run on one hit and two walks.

White was called up from Triple-A Toledo ahead of the Tigers' doubleheader with the Mets on Wednesday, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

White will serve as an additional bullpen arm Wednesday, operating as Detroit's 27th man on the roster. The right-hander has produced a 2.08 ERA and 1.23 WHIP with 14 strikeouts over 13 innings in nine appearances with Toledo this season. White will likely be returned to Triple-A following Wednesday's action, though his minor-league numbers may warrant a longer look at the big-league level down the road.

Finnegan gave up a hit and struck out one in a scoreless ninth inning Tuesday to record his sixth save of the season in a 4-1 win over the Cubs.

The right-hander got rocked early this season, but he's settled down since. Finnegan has converted five straight save chances and been scored upon only once in his last nine appearances, posting a 1.04 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 10:2 K:BB through 8.2 innings over that stretch. His numbers on the year still look shaky, but with the Nats' offense not capable of running up the score on many opponents and likely to produce narrow wins when the team does manage to come out on top, Finnegan's fantasy value could be underrated right now.

King walked one and struck out three over 1.2 scoreless innings to record his second save of the season in Tuesday's 4-2 win over the Guardians.

Clay Holmes blew his second save of the year Monday, opening the door for King to collect a save in his second straight appearance. Yankees manager Aaron Boone gave Holmes the dreaded vote of confidence after Monday's performance, but King is making a strong push for more save opportunities with a 1.56 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 20:4 K:BB through 17.1 innings. The 27-year-old right-hander has recorded at least four outs in each of his nine appearances to begin the season, so even if Holmes' grip on the closer role slips further, King could still find himself in a high-leverage fireman role rather than limited to the ninth inning.

Winckowski allowed one hit over a scoreless inning to pick up the save in Tuesday's 7-6 win over Toronto.

The Red Sox were working with a short bullpen Tuesday. Kenley Jansen (back spasms) was unavailable, Kutter Crawford threw four innings Friday, Chris Martin was just off the injured list and wasn't going to be used on back-to-back nights, and Brennan Bernardino had pitched three days in a row. As such, manager Alex Cora turned to Winckowski to close out the game. He recorded the save on seven pitches, which was needed after the right-hander threw 30 pitches to record a win the night before. It was the first save in the majors for Winckowski, who was used mostly as a starter in the minors and majors until assuming a multi-inning relief role for Boston in 2023.

Burke (2-0) pitched a scoreless 1.1 innings to earn Tuesday's win over the Diamondbacks.

Burke retired all four batters faced on balls that never left the infield. After starter Jon Gray worked 5.1 innings, Burke was the pitcher of record when Ezequiel Duran put Texas ahead for good with a two-run home run in the bottom of the sixth inning. The left-hander has remained unscathed in a bullpen that's taken its lumps recently. He's not overpowering, but Burke hasn't allowed a run in seven innings and has a 2.03 ERA over 13.1 innings.

Leclerc was not used in a save situation in Tuesday's 6-4 win over Arizona.

Will Smith closed out the win instead of Leclerc, who hasn't been given a save opportunity since blowing his second of the season, April 24, against the Reds. Leclerc hasn't pitched in five days and was rested, but manager Bruce Bochy opted for Smith for a second straight save opportunity. Leclerc's 0.93 ERA hides the seven walks he's allowed and a 6.14 xFIP over 9.2 innings.