MLB Player News

Hader picked up his sixth save of the season in Wednesday's victory over the Orioles.

The save was Hader's sixth of the season and third since Sunday. Hader has been a fantasy force early on, as in addition to tying for the league lead in saves, he has yet to allow a run and has given up just two hits while posting a 9:2 K:BB over six innings.

Bender (0-1) took the loss Wednesday as the Marlins fell 2-0 to the Cardinals, giving up two runs on one hit and one walk while striking out two in the ninth inning.

The right-hander entered a 0-0 game in the top of the ninth and promptly struck out Paul Goldschmidt, but after walking Tyler O'Neill, Bender served up the game-winning homer to Nolan Arenado on a fastball that didn't get far enough inside to jam the third baseman. Bender has had a rough start to the season, posting an 8.31 ERA and 1.62 WHIP over 4.1 innings, and while he's converted two of his three saves chances, his hold on the closer job for Miami seems very tenuous.

Gallegos gave up a hit and a walk while striking out two in a scoreless ninth inning Wednesday to record his third save of the season in a 2-0 win over the Marlins.

There was some concern in the spring whether Gallegos would have to share save opportunities for the Cardinals this season or be the team's primary closer, but he's answered those questions decisively through the first couple weeks. The 30-year-old right-hander has yet to allow a run over five appearances, converting all three of his save chances and posting a 5:2 K:BB over 5.1 innings.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora wants Barnes to be the closer and believes the pitcher is close to being able to fill the role, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports. "I've been saying all along, for me, if Matty (Barnes) gets to where we want to and we do believe he's very close, it will be great for him to get that ninth inning because he can get lefties and righties out," Cora said.

Cora has managed with a closer-by-committee for now, but he prefers the structure of set roles. Three relievers -- Jake Diekman, Hansel Robles and Garrett Whitlock -- have recorded saves thus far. Barnes made his fourth appearance of the season Wednesday, allowing a run on one hit and a wild pitch while striking out one. He's allowed three runs on three hits, two walks and a hit batsman while striking out three over four innings.

Leiter will start Thursday's game against the Pirates in Chicago.

Despite getting lit up for seven earned runs over 3.1 innings in his Cubs debut last weekend in Colorado, Leiter will make a second turn in the rotation while starting pitchers Wade Miley (elbow) and Alec Mills (back) remain on the injured list. Once one of those two pitchers are healthy, Leiter will likely lose his spot in rotation, and potentially his spot on the 40-man roster, too.

Pivetta (0-3) was charged with the loss after allowing five runs on seven hits and four walks while striking out four over four innings in Wednesday's 6-1 loss to the Blue Jays.

Pivetta's ERA climbed to 10.03 following his third start, and none of have offered much promise. He's been fighting mechanics and reduced velocity, which reared itself early Wednesday, particularly in Toronto's five-run second inning. His final two innings were better after pitching coach Dave Bush talked to the right-hander about his mechanics, per Christopher Smith of MassLive.com. "Honestly, I believe the last two innings were his best innings so far out of the three outings (this season)," manager Alex Cora said. "Velocity went up. There was some 95, 96 (mph). It seems like he was more aggressive with the fastball." Pivetta will get a chance for revenge in his next scheduled start, which lines up for Monday on the road in Toronto.

Santana (COVID-19 injured list) is symptom-free and will rejoin his teammates on the road in the next couple days, Doug Miller of MLB.com reports.

Rangers manager Chris Woodward was uncertain whether Santana would join the club Thursday in Seattle or Friday in Oakland. Santana, who registered holds in two consecutive outings before hitting the IL, is expected to return to a setup role in the Texas bullpen.

Howard (finger) will be activated off the injured list and start Friday's game in Oakland, Doug Miller of MLB.com reports.

Texas manager Chris Woodward confirmed the news that Howard would start barring any unforeseen circumstances. The right-hander has been on the 10-day IL with a blister after coughing up six runs and four home runs in three innings during his season debut against Toronto.

Kahnle (elbow) pitched two-thirds of an inning for Triple-A Oklahoma City on Tuesday, allowing one run on one hit and one walk while striking out one.

This was Kahnle's first rehab appearance at the Triple-A level following three outings with Low-A Rancho Cucamonga. The right-hander has struck out four batters over 3.2 innings combined while issuing just one walk. He's expected to be ready to return to the big club in early May.

Shaw pitched a perfect inning in the first game of Wednesday's doubleheader versus the White Sox.

Shaw worked the seventh inning after starter Shane Bieber tossed six innings of one-run ball. This was the first time in five outings Shaw has been tasked with a full inning of work, and he's allowed just one run, two hits and three walks with two strikeouts across 2.2 innings this season. In 2021, he picked up a 6-7 record, 20 holds, two saves and six blown saves, but the 34-year-old's not currently part of the Guardians' late-inning mix.