MLB Player News

Smeltzer didn't factor into the decision in the first game of Saturday's doubleheader against the Guardians, allowing one run on three hits and a walk over four innings in a 6-1 win. He struck out three.

Making his first start of the season after a couple relief appearances, the former Twin gave the Marlins a solid outing but wasn't able to qualify for the win, exiting after 65 pitches (42 strikes). It was an impressive turnaround for Smeltzer, who served up four homers in his first five innings this year, and with the Miami rotation in tatters right now due to a rash of biceps injuries to Trevor Rogers, Johnny Cueto and Sandy Alcantara, the 27-year-old southpaw could get stretched out further to handle more than just a spot start in a twin bill.

Fujinami (0-4) took the loss Saturday, allowing eight runs on seven hits and three walks over 2.1 innings against Texas. He struck out two.

Fujinami has gotten off to a brutal start this season, posting a 14.40 ERA and 2.07 WHIP over four appearances. The rookie has plenty of time to right the ship, but he cannot be trusted in fantasy until he strings together some quality starts. The right-hander is tentatively slated to face the Angels on the road in his next appearance.

Thompson (1-1) allowed two runs on a hit and a walk while striking out one over two-thirds of an inning, taking the loss Saturday versus the Mariners.

Thompson replaced Miles Mikolas with one out in the sixth inning and finished the frame. In the seventh, Thompson put two batters aboard, and Giovanny Gallegos let them both come around to score. These were the first earned runs on Thompson's line through nine appearances this season. The southpaw owns a 1.80 ERA through 10 innings, but his 1.40 WHIP and 15:5 K:BB aren't all that encouraging. He'll likely continue to serve as a middle-relief option.

Cuas (1-0) allowed two runs on two hits and struck out two over one inning but earned the win Saturday over the Angels.

Cuas surrendered a two-run home run to Matt Thaiss in the eighth inning that put the Royals behind 8-6. They rallied for five runs in the ninth, and that allowed Cuas to back into the win. The right-hander has been far from steady so far -- he's been scored on in six of his nine outings while yielding three home runs in 9.1 innings. He has a 6.75 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 14:3 K:BB. With Scott Barlow and Aroldis Chapman seeing the bulk of the high-leverage work, Cuas is likely to remain a middle reliever.

Sewald earned a save against the Cardinals on Saturday, allowing one run on one hit while striking out two batters.

Sewald entered in the top of the ninth inning with Seattle up by two runs. He gave up a one-out homer to Tommy Edman but retired the other three batters he faced, including two by strikeout. The save was Sewald's second in as many days, and he's a perfect 6-for-6 in save chances on the campaign. Among MLB hurlers, only David Bednar, Jordan Romano and Josh Hader have more saves than Sewald at this point in the campaign.

Quijada (0-1) blew the save and took the loss against the Royals on Saturday, allowing five runs on two hits and two walks over two-thirds of an inning.

Quijada had been great this season coming into Saturday, holding opponents scoreless and notching four saves while posting an 8:1 BB:K over eight innings. However, he couldn't seal the deal in the ninth inning against Kansas City, allowing six of the eight batters he faced to reach base. The southpaw plunked two hitters and walked another two while throwing just 15 of 27 pitches for strikes, so he clearly didn't have his stuff working for him. Despite the poor outing, Quijada's strong start to the campaign should allow him to remain in contention for save chances alongside Carlos Estevez for the Angels.

Barlow earned the save against the Angels on Saturday, striking out two batters in a perfect inning.

Aroldis Chapman hasn't been scored upon this season, leading many to assume that he would take over as Kansas City's closer, but the left-hander was used in the seventh inning of a tie game Saturday. Meanwhile, after the Royals scored five runs in the top of the ninth inning to take the lead, Barlow was called upon to close things out, and he did so with a pair of punchouts while retiring the side in order on 12 pitches. Barlow has been very shaky this season while Chapman has been outstanding, but the former appears to still have traction as the Royals' closer given the relievers' usage Saturday.

Hader earned the save against the Diamondbacks on Saturday with a perfect inning of work.

Hader came on in the bottom of the ninth inning to protect a two-run lead and needed 16 pitches to retire Arizona in order. The left-hander didn't record a strikeout for the first time this season, but he completed his fifth straight scoreless and hitless outing. Hader is tied with David Bednar and Jordan Romano for the MLB lead with seven saves on the campaign.

Thompson (2-1) earned the win in Saturday's 10-4 win over the Twins. He allowed one unearned run on two hits in relief without issuing a walk and striking out four over 2.1 innings.

Thompson allowed the one run after an error on a throw by Riley Adams, but it was another impressive outing for the reliever. He threw 27 of 35 pitches for strikes while earning the win, and Thompson's been able to go more than inning in six of his nine appearances while lowering his ERA to a minuscule 1.15 over 15.2 frames. Thompson's current role doesn't carry much fantasy relevance, but the 25-year-old could earn save opportunities for the Nationals if his strong play continues into the summer months, though he has only one hold so far.

Underwood picked up the save Saturday against the Reds. He struck out one over two perfect innings.

Teammate David Bednar was likely unavailable after pitching the previous two days. Underwood has now posted eight scoreless appearances out of 10 total opportunities this season. The right-hander has been effective as both a setup man and backup closer, recording three holds and two saves thus far. The 28-year-old has also commanded the strike zone well, issuing just one free pass over 10.1 innings pitched so far.