MLB Player News

Rondon (1-0) allowed a hit and three walks while striking out four in five scoreless innings to earn the win in Sunday's game against the Pirates.

Rondon was called up by the Cardinals prior to Sunday's game, and he was effective as a long reliever after starter Steven Matz (shoulder) was removed after throwing just four pitches. Rondon threw 86 pitches and picked up his first major-league win while holding the Pirates scoreless. Matz will receive an MRI to determine the extent of his injury, but Rondon will be a candidate to fill a rotation role if Matz requires a trip to the injured list.

Duran struck out two and earned a save with a perfect inning against the Royals on Sunday.

Duran threw 14 of 17 pitches for strikes and forced five whiffs in a dominant outing to earn his third save. The 24-year-old flamethrower threw seven fastballs in the appearance, all ranging between 100-102 miles per hour. He lowered his season ERA to 2.66 with an outstanding 31:3 K:BB through 20.1 innings.

Soto pitched a clean ninth inning to record the save in Sunday's 4-2 win over the Guardians.

The ninth inning started ominously, as Soto hit leadoff man Josh Naylor. However, the lefty retired the next batter, then got Andres Gimenez to ground into a double play to end the game. Soto has had a few hiccups this season, but he now has seven saves in eight chances to go with a solid 2.92 ERA. He's also pitched well lately with no runs allowed and three saves in his last three appearances. Manager A.J. Hinch has shown confidence in Soto despite some ups and downs, and fantasy managers should continue to do the same while he remains Detroit's closer.

De Los Santos had his contract selected by the Pirates on Sunday, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

De Los Santos began the season at Triple-A Indianapolis and posted a 1.72 ERA and 0.64 WHIP in 15.2 innings over 12 relief appearances. The 24-year-old hasn't yet made a major-league appearance but should provide a boost to the Pirates' bullpen. If he remains effective in the big leagues, it's possible that De Los Santos will work his way into high-leverage work at some point.

Iglesias struck out all three batters he faced as he earned the save in a 4-1 victory Sunday over Oakland.

Facing the middle of the Oakland lineup, Iglesias needed just 12 pitches to strike out the side. It was his second straight excellent outing after losing consecutive appearances. The veteran is 10-for-11 in save opportunities and has a solid 22:4 K:BB despite having a 4.02 ERA. As long as he can keep the ball in the park, his numbers should continue to improve and look more like the high-level closer he has been in recent history.

Martinez will start Monday's game against the Brewers, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Martinez struck out six in four scoreless innings as a long reliever Wednesday against the Phillies after starting in his first six appearances this season. However, he'll reclaim a starting role in Monday's series opener after Mike Clevinger (triceps) was placed on the 15-day injured list. If the Padres choose to remain with a six-man rotation in Clevinger's absence, Martinez will likely continue to work as a starter over his next few appearances.

Hendriks saved a 3-1 victory in Game 1 of Sunday's doubleheader against the Yankees, striking out two in a scoreless ninth inning.

After Chicago took the lead in the top of the ninth, Hendriks was brought in to close out the victory and sat down all three Yankees on 17 pitches. Following consecutive blown saves earlier this month, the 33-year-old has converted four straight opportunities and lowered his ERA nearly a full run to 3.72.

Hearn (2-3) took the loss during Sunday's 5-2 defeat against the Astros, allowing four runs on six hits and two walks with two strikeouts in 4.2 innings.

Hearn was done in by the top of Houston's order Sunday, with the top five batters in the lineup accounting for all the damage except for one hit. The 27-year-old has now failed to surpass five innings in any of his eight starts, and Hearn has walked multiple batters in each of his last four games. He'll carry a 5.77 ERA into a start projected to come next weekend against Oakland.

Diaz earned the save, allowing one hit and striking out two in the ninth inning of a 2-0 win Sunday in Colorado.

After striking out the first batter, Diaz allowed a one-out single to Brendan Rodgers before finishing off the final two batters in order. The closer has recorded two or more strikeouts in eight of his last nine outings, fanning a whopping 20 batters in nine frames. While he's always been known as a prolific strikeout pitcher, punching out 38.6 percent of batters coming into this season, he's improved that rate to 47.9 percent in 2022.

Pressly notched the save during Sunday's 5-2 victory against the Rangers, allowing two hits in two-thirds of an inning.

Pressly entered with two on and one out in a four-run game and served up singles to the first two Rangers but was able to induce a Jonah Heim double play with the bases loaded to end the game. The 33-year-old recorded his sixth save in 10 appearances, though his strikeout rate is down to 20.6 percent after sitting above 30 percent in each of his past four seasons.