MLB Player News

Hudson saved Saturday's 5-2 win against Cincinnati, recording one strikeout in two-thirds of an inning.

Los Angeles held a 5-0 lead entering the ninth inning, but the bullpen surrendered two runs before Hudson was brought in to shut the door on the victory. The 35-year-old got the opportunity with Craig Kimbrel having pitched the previous night, though he would stand to gain significant traction if Kimbrel were to falter.

Barlow logged 1.1 scoreless innings Saturday versus the Tigers. He allowed one hit and struck out two to earn a hold.

Barlow entered the campaign as the Royals' primary closer, but he's yet to record a save in four appearances. He has a win and and a hold while allowing just one run, four hits and a 6:1 K:BB across 4.2 innings. The right-hander is doing well, and the save chances should follow, but it appears manager Mike Matheny is opting to deploy Barlow at the most important moments in a game rather than just in the ninth inning. Josh Staumont pitched a scoreless inning to earn the first save by any Royals pitcher this season.

Snider (2-0) earned the win Saturday versus the Tigers. He allowed a hit and struck out one in 1.2 scoreless innings.

Snider has kept runs off the board in all four of his appearances this season, and he's earned the win in two of them. He was able to get the last two outs of the fifth inning and then also pitched the sixth Saturday. The 26-year-old right-hander has added four strikeouts and has yet to walk a batter through four innings. Snider is still likely to see work in the middle innings, but he's quickly building trust with good performances.

Leiter (0-1) allowed seven runs on five hits across 3.1 innings to take the loss Saturday against the Rockies. He walked four and struck out four.

Leiter was too hittable to succeed at Coors Field, and the walks didn't help the cause either. The big blow was a C.J. Cron two-run home run in the third inning, which came after two free passes in the frame. Leiter was making his first MLB appearance since 2018, so it was probably wise to temper expectations, especially in such a notorious hitter's park. The 31-year-old may stick in the rotation, however, with Wade Miley (elbow) and Alec Mills (back) both out. Leiter may also shift into a long-relief role moving forward.

Bard picked up the save during Saturday's 9-6 win against the Cubs, allowing one hit with one strikeout in the ninth inning.

Bard allowed a two-out single before striking out Willson Contreras to nail down his second save in as many nights. The outings haven't been as dominant since he struck out the side in his first appearance, but the 36-year-old has yet to err, with a save or win in all five appearances for the up-start Rockies.

Staumont struck out two in a perfect ninth inning Saturday to record his first save of the season in a 3-1 win over the Tigers.

Scott Barlow came into the year as the presumed closer for manager Mike Matheny, but it was Staumont who got the Royals' first save of 2022 while Barlow entered the game with two outs and one on in the seventh inning to pick up a hold. Both right-handers had worked the day before, so it seems clear they are the top two arms in the Kansas City bullpen for now, but if Barlow gets deployed in more of a fireman role, Staumont's fantasy value will rise quickly.

Martinez (0-1) took the loss Saturday as the Padres fell 5-2 to Atlanta, giving up four runs on seven hits -- including three home runs -- and four walks over five innings. He struck out three.

It was a rough outing for Martinez, who had trouble finding the plate and caught too much of it when he did. The 31-year-old right-hander has a 4.50 ERA and 9:5 K:BB through his first 10 innings in his return to MLB, and the jury is still out on how reliable he'll be this season from a fantasy perspective.

Winder gave up two runs on four hits and one walk over 5.1 innings of relief with two strikeouts in Saturday's loss to Boston.

Winder entered the game in the second inning after Sonny Gray left with a hamstring injury. He gave up a two-run home run to Xander Bogaerts but was otherwise impressive. Even if Gray misses additional action, Winder is likely to remain in a long-relief role since the Twins were already deploying a six-man rotation, but the rookie could get a shot at starting if another spot opens up.

Jansen struck out one in a perfect ninth inning Saturday to record his second save of the season in a 5-2 win over the Padres.

The veteran closer saw little use through the first week of the season, but Jensen is now 2-for-2 on save chances with Atlanta over the last two days. Will Smith worked the eighth inning Saturday and Collin McHugh the seventh, so if the team has another late lead to protect Sunday, it's not clear who manager Brian Snitker might turn to.

Alcala (elbow) threw from 60 feet and 90 feet on Friday, the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports. "I didn't feel quite where I wanted to be, but we're progressing and that's what matters. We're moving forward, so hopefully soon I'll get back," he said.

Alcala said he felt pain in his elbow when throwing a fastball Sunday, but said the pain was 20 on a 100 scale. That sounds encouraging that this isn't a major injury, but there's still no timetable for his return.