MLB Player News

Fairbanks allowed one hit across a scoreless inning to earn the save Wednesday against the Red Sox.

Fairbanks entered the game with a two-run lead. He allowed a leadoff single but went on to retire the next three batters he faced to record his second save of the new season. While the Rays have provided limited save opportunities early in the new campaign, Fairbanks appears to be the team's primary closer for the time being.

Quijada struck out one in a perfect ninth inning Wednesday to record his second save of the season in a 3-2 win over the Nationals.

The southpaw needed only seven pitches (six strikes) to breeze through the heart of Washington's order. Quijada is the surprising saves leader for the Angels in the early going, but he's also tied for the lead in holds with three. While he might be the most reliable arm in the team's bullpen, Quijada's more likely to be deployed in a situational high-leverage role than be the full-time closer.

Puk (1-0) picked up the win in Wednesday's 3-2 extra-inning victory over the Phillies, giving up one hit and striking out two over two scoreless innings.

After Dylan Floro worked a shutout eighth inning, Puk entered a 2-2 tie in the bottom of the ninth and needed only 23 pitches (18 strikes) to record his six outs. The southpaw has looked good to begin his Marlins tenure, posting a 3.60 ERA and 6:1 K:BB through his first four appearances and five innings with a win and a save. While manager Skip Schumaker figures to play matchups to some extent in the late innings, Puk has been his top high-leverage option so far.

Merryweather, who allowed two runs in an inning of work during Wednesday's loss to the Mariners, now has a 12.71 ERA this season.

Merryweather started the season with a dud, allowing five earned runs in his first appearance, and he's been scored on in two of his four outings since then. The righty should remain in a low-leverage role, and that plus his poor performance to date are keeping his fantasy value to a minimum.

Duran gave up two hits including a home run Wednedsay against the White Sox, but held on to record his third save of the season.

Duran entered the game with a 3-0 lead in the ninth, but gave the White Sox a glimmer of hope after allowing a solo homer to Lenyn Sosa. The 25-year-old closer now improves to 3-for-4 in save chances this season, but he has also allowed two home runs in as many days.

The Nationals released Perez on March 24.

Perez attended big-league spring training with Washington as a non-roster invitee, but he ended up parting ways with the organization shortly after being reassigned to minor-league camp. The 25-year-old lefty appeared in 10 games with Washington in 2022, logging a 7.27 ERA and 2.54 WHIP across 8.2 innings.

Holmes collected his fourth save of the season Wednesday against the Guardians, allowing zero hits and two walks over one scoreless inning with a strikeout.

After getting hit around in his first appearance of the season against the Giants on April 1, Holmes has now responded by throwing five consecutive shutout innings while earning a save in each of his last four appearances. It's a promising return to form for the 30-year-old closer, who boasts a 2.34 ERA since joining the Yankees in 2021.

Kelly left Wednesday's game against Tampa Bay with an apparent arm injury, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

Kelly immediately collapsed to the ground after hitting Yandy Diaz with a pitch. He appeared to be in quite a bit of pain and was grabbing at his arm/elbow. He should be considered day-to-day for now, but early signs don't look promising for the 28-year-old reliever.

Ottavino walked one in a scoreless ninth inning Wednesday to record his first save of the season in a 5-2 win over the Padres.

David Robertson got the call with two outs and two on in the seventh inning and kept San Diego off the board through the eighth, leaving the save chance to Ottavino. Robertson remains the favorite for saves in the Mets' bullpen, but if manager Buck Showalter is flexible about using him in highest-leverage spots, there will be ninth-inning opportunities left over for Ottavino and Brooks Raley. Through six appearances and five innings this season, Ottavino has a 1.80 ERA and 7:1 K:BB with one hold in addition to Wednesday's save.

Antone said Wednesday his elbow is "feeling great" and he will resume throwing next week.

Antone has been sidelined since undergoing Tommy John surgery in August of 2021 and then suffering a flexor strain in January. There remains no timetable for when the 29-year-old reliever could rejoin Cincinnati's bullpen, but this is a step in the right direction.