MLB Player News

Kilian is expected to join the Cubs' rotation for good at some point this summer, Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney of The Athletic report.

His surface numbers at Triple-A Iowa are excellent, but his 10.1 BB% is a career-worst mark and he only recently started touching the upper-90s with his fastball, which is where that pitch was touching last year in the Arizona Fall League. Kilian has a 1.57 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and career-best 60.8 GB% through seven starts.

Chafin pitched a clean eighth inning with two strikeouts to earn a hold in Saturday's win over the Orioles.

Despite some hiccups lately, Gregory Soto saw the save opportunity Saturday, and he was able to shut the door on Baltimore. Chafin has pitched pretty well with a 2.57 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 10 strikeouts across seven innings this season, which has earned him some trust in a setup role. Soto should stick as the closer for now, though Chafin could be an option at some point, along with Michael Fulmer and Will Vest.

Chapman (0-1) was tagged with the loss Saturday against the White Sox, allowing one run on two hits and a walk over one-third of an inning.

After the Yankees got to White Sox closer Liam Hendriks for a game-tying run in the top of the ninth inning, Chapman was summoned to try to send the game to extra frames. He retired the first batter he faced but then gave up a single, walk and another single as Chicago pulled out the win. Chapman didn't allow any earned runs over his first 12 appearances of the season but has now yielded a run in back-to-back outings. His 1.37 WHIP and 6.9 BB/9 are red flags, but the veteran closer is 8-for-8 in save chances on the campaign, so his job appears safe for now.

Treinen (shoulder) said Saturday that he hasn't picked up a baseball since going on the injured list, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Treinen's last mound appearance came over a month ago, so the fact that he isn't doing any sort of throwing supports the Dodgers' notion that he won't be able to return until sometime after the All-Star break. Per Ardaya, the right-hander isn't experiencing discomfort in day-to-day activities, and he believes the injury will "work itself out." Daniel Hudson has worked as the primary bridge to closer Craig Kimbrel while Treinen has been out.

Hernandez (0-3) took the loss against Colorado on Saturday, allowing nine runs on eight hits and three walks while striking out three batters over four innings.

Hernandez fell behind early and yielded seven runs over his first three innings. Though he pitched a perfect fourth frame, he was pulled after starting the fifth by giving up a walk and a run-scoring double. Hernandez has given up 15 runs over his past two starts to push his season ERA to 9.11. He's in danger of losing his spot in the rotation, but if he gets another chance to smooth things out, it will likely come at home against the White Sox next week.

Sandlin (3-1) allowed one hit over 1.1 scoreless innings to earn the win Saturday versus the Twins.

Sandlin got the last out of the eighth inning and also pitched the ninth before the Guardians rallied for the lead in the 10th. The right-hander has picked up all three of his wins this season in his last five outings. He's struggled with control a bit this year, posting a 6:8 K:BB with a 3.65 ERA and 1.30 WHIP across 12.1 innings, but he's also picked up four holds, so he has at least some trust to pitch in high-leverage situations.

Oller (0-3) took the loss during Game 2 of Saturday's doubleheader, allowing eight runs on six hits and three walks with three strikeouts in five innings.

Oller escaped the first inning unscathed, but it was all downhill from there. He surrendered five runs in the second, capped by a Taylor Ward grand slam, and three more in the fifth, and likely would have been removed sooner had he not been the 27th man. Oller will likely return to the minors, though he could have a role later in the season as Oakland looks to the future.

Diaz earned the save against the Mariners on Saturday, striking out all three batters he faced in a perfect ninth inning.

Diaz was tasked with protecting a one-run lead in the ninth inning and did so in dominant fashion, striking out a trio of batters on 18 pitches. The right-hander has worked exactly one inning in all 15 of his appearances on the season, and this was the third time that he struck out the side. Diaz has been one of the game's best closers again in 2022, tallying eight saves in nine chances while posting a 1.80 ERA, 0.80 WHIP and 27:5 K:BB.

Smeltzer pitched five innings against Cleveland on Saturday, allowing one run on three hits and two walks while striking out two. He did not factor in the decision.

Smeltzer was called up from Triple-A St. Paul earlier in the day to make the start against the Guardians. The left-handed hurler held his own with five innings of one-run ball, pitching to contact but allowing only one extra-base hit. This was Smeltzer's first big-league start since 2020, as he missed most of last season with a left elbow injury. It's not yet clear if he'll get another turn in the rotation.

Melancon (0-5) took the loss during Saturday's 4-2 defeat at the hands of the Cubs, allowing three runs on two hits and two walks while failing to record an out.

Melancon was brought into a tie game in the ninth inning and permitted the first four Cubs to reach base before being pulled. That's now two poor outings in his last three appearances for the 37-year-old, whose ERA jumped to 8.49, and his days as the closer may be numbered.