MLB Player News

Duran struck out one batter during a perfect ninth inning to earn the save against the Rockies on Saturday.

Duran entered in the ninth frame with the task of protecting a one-run lead. He did so without any drama, retiring the side in order on just eight pitches. Duran has ended with either a decision or a save in each of his five outings this season -- overall, he has a 1-1 record with three saves in three chances. He's given up just one earned run over 4.2 innings while posting a dominant 7:0 K:BB.

Santana (2-0) earned the win in Saturday's 3-2 victory over the Orioles, striking out one while not allowing a baserunner during the ninth inning.

The right-hander entered for the top of the ninth inning with the game tied 2-2, and he retired the side in order on 13 pitches (10 strikes). That set up Santana for the victory when the Pittsburgh offense came through with a walk-off in the bottom of the frame. The veteran reliever was expected to begin the season as Pittsburgh's primary closer, but it was Gregory Soto that picked up the club's first ninth-inning save of the season Friday. Santana has given up just one hit with a 4:2 K:BB through six appearances this year, splitting those outings evenly between the eighth and ninth innings. He remains in the mix for saves and is clearly a trusted high-leverage arm, but Soto currently seems to be the favored closing option.

Megill picked up the save Saturday against the Royals, allowing no hits and two walks in a scoreless ninth inning. He struck out two.

The right-hander did make things interesting, allowing the tying run to get to the plate, but he caught Vinnie Pasquantino looking to end the game. Though Abner Uribe presents a pretty considerable threat in the bullpen, Megill looks to be Milwaukee's primary closer to begin the new year. He's converted each of his first two save chances, but Megill has walked three over three innings so far and will be looking to improve his control going forward.

Bednar picked up his fourth save in Saturday's 9-7 win over the Marlins, allowing one run on three hits and one walk with two strikeouts across one inning.

Bednar didn't make it easy on himself and needed 33 pitches to record his three outs in the ninth inning. All three hits Bednar allowed were singles, and he also walked Liam Hicks. Bednar's last two appearances have been tumultuous, surrendering two runs on six hits across 2.1 innings, but he's now a perfect 4-for-4 in save opportunities this season. After throwing so many pitches Saturday, Bednar may be unavailable for Sunday's series finale, in which case Camilo Doval and Fernando Cruz are the top candidates should a save chance arise.

Mlodzinski did not factor into the decision Saturday, allowing two runs on five hits and three walks over 4.2 innings in a 3-2 victory over Baltimore. He struck out five.

The right-hander started off strong with just two baserunners allowed through three scoreless frames, but he gave up two runs on four hits and a walk in the fourth inning and was unable to make it through the fifth. Mlodzinski's 4.00 ERA and 13 strikeouts through his first two starts of the season are decent, but his 1.56 WHIP and nine combined innings are less encouraging. A road matchup with the Cubs likely awaits next weekend.

Sewald struck out two to record the save after tossing a scoreless and hitless inning in Saturday's 2-1 win over Atlanta.

The veteran right-hander retired the side in order, but Atlanta made him work for it with a pair of eight-pitch at-bats and a total of 21 pitches (14 strikes) Sewald is 3-for-3 in save chances this season and has posted four scoreless outings in five appearances, with the lone exception being Friday's game against Atlanta, when he allowed two runs on two homers over two-thirds of an inning.

Pagan collected his third save in Saturday's 2-0 win over the Rangers, allowing one hit and two walks with one strikeout in a scoreless ninth inning.

Pagan walked Jake Burger to lead off the inning but got Joc Pederson to ground into a double play. The right-hander then got back into trouble by allowing another walk and a single, but he struck out Evan Carter to end the threat. Pagan has converted three of four saves chances this year, but his outings have been adventurous thus far, as he owns an 8.44 ERA and 6:3 K:BB across 5.1 innings.

Chapman (0-1) took the loss Saturday against the Padres, allowing one run on two hits with one strikeout across one inning.

With the game tied 2-2 headed into the ninth inning, manager Alex Cora brought on Chapman, but the closer allowed a double to Fernando Tatis followed by an RBI single from Ramon Laureano to give San Diego the 3-2 lead. It's the first run of the year allowed by Chapman, who now owns a 2.25 ERA and 3:1 K:BB across four innings this season. He's 2-for-2 in save chances.

Miller picked up the save in Saturday's 3-2 win over the Red Sox, recording three strikeouts in a hitless and scoreless ninth inning.

Miller needed just 11 pitches to blow the Red Sox away in the bottom of the ninth inning, generating four whiffs. The right-hander now has three saves in three appearances this season and has yet to allow a run with an 8:1 K:BB across 3.1 innings. Miller remains in the top tier of fantasy closers.

Vasquez (1-0) didn't factor into the decision Saturday against the Red Sox, allowing one run on six hits and one walk with three strikeouts across six innings.

Vasquez's day was done with a 2-1 lead, but Adrian Morejon allowed a couple hits and a run in the eighth inning to cost Vasquez another win. The 27-year-old's fastball velocity was back down to his 2025 levels of 93.6 mph after throwing it around 95 mph in last Saturday's win over Detroit. It will be interesting to see if Vasquez is able to get the velocity back up in next week's start against the Rockies. The right-hander will carry a 0.75 ERA and 11:4 K:BB across 12 innings into his next outing.