MLB Player News

Moran will serve as the Red Sox's opening pitcher Saturday against the Twins, Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald reports.

The Red Sox have taken a liking to using Moran as an opener in front of Brayan Bello this month, and the two will work in tandem again Saturday. Moran has been one of Boston's most effective bullpen arms this season, posting a 2.81 ERA and 1.13 WHIP through 25.2 innings. He'll likely remain on the mound for an inning or two before Bello takes over.

Banda earned the save in Friday's 8-6 win over the Red Sox, striking out one over 1.1 perfect innings.

Banda entered a 7-6 game with two men on and two outs in the eighth inning, and he was able to put out the fire before retiring the side in the ninth. It marked the southpaw's first save chance of the season, and he now owns a 6.23 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 19:8 K:BB across 21.2 innings. The Twins have had 10 pitchers record a save in 2026, so this is a closer situation to be avoided until there appears to be a change in philosophy.

Varland earned the save in Friday's 6-2 win over the Pirates, striking out three without allowing a baserunner over two scoreless innings.

Varland was called on to protect a 3-1 lead with two men on and no outs in the eighth inning and escaped the jam while allowing one inherited runner to score. He then returned for the ninth after the Blue Jays tacked on three more runs and retired the side once again. It marked the second time the 28-year-old has logged two frames in his past four outings, and he's now yielded just two earned runs through 25 appearances this season. Overall, he's 7-for-7 in save chances with a 0.65 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 40:9 K:BB across 27.2 innings.

Tong didn't factor into the decision Friday against the Marlins, allowing one walk with two strikeouts across three hitless and scoreless innings out of the Mets' bullpen.

The 22-year-old was recalled from Triple-A Syracuse earlier Friday and worked the final three innings after Tobias Myers and Sean Manaea covered the first 15 outs. Tong flashed his plus stuff, including a 95.9 mph fastball, and generated five whiffs on 28 pitches. The right-hander could make starts for the Mets or be deployed as a multi-inning reliever.

Baker earned the save in Friday's 4-2 win over the Yankees, allowing one hit and no walks with one strikeout in a scoreless ninth inning.

Baker was summoned to finish off a late Rays comeback and worked around a one-out walk to slam the door on 19 pitches. The 31-year-old has now converted three straight save chances after blowing a save May 13, and he owns a 1.80 ERA across 11 appearances in the month. On the year, he's 14-for-17 in save opportunities with a 2.53 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 25:9 K:BB across 21.1 innings.

Duran (1-2) took the loss Friday, giving up a run on two hits in the ninth inning of a 1-0 loss to the Guardians. He struck out one.

Called in to protect a 0-0 tie, Duran instead served up a game-winning solo shot to Kyle Manzardo on a first-pitch splitter that caught too much of the plate. It was the first home run Duran has allowed this season, and while he does have two losses, the Phillies closer is a perfect 8-for-8 in converting save chances while posting a 1.98 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 22:5 K:BB through 13.2 innings.

Fairbanks picked up the save in Friday's 2-1 win over the Mets, issuing one walk with two strikeouts in a hitless and scoreless ninth inning.

It's been a rough start to the season for Miami's closer, as he entered Friday having allowed at least one run in three straight outings and at least three runs in three of nine appearances since the beginning of April. Fairbanks struck out the first two batters he faced Friday and closed it with a flyout from Bo Bichette. It was Fairbanks' sixth save of the season to go with an 8.25 ERA and 19:6 K:BB across 12 innings.

Smith struck out one in a perfect ninth inning Friday to record his 17th save of the season in a 1-0 win over the Phillies.

Kyle Manzardo produced the game's only run with a solo shot off Jhoan Duran in the top of the ninth, setting the stage for Smith to complete a combined shutout with Gavin Williams. Smith's 17 saves leads the majors, and he's been tagged for an earned run in only one of his last 12 appearances, posting a 0.71 ERA, 0.79 WHIP and 21:1 K:BB in 12.2 innings over that dazzling stretch.

King worked 1.1 scoreless innings Friday to record his fifth save of the season in a 4-2 win over the Cubs. He didn't walk or strike out a batter.

The only baserunner to get aboard against King came on a Jeremy Pena throwing error with two outs in the eighth inning, but the southpaw got Nico Hoerner to ground out to end the threat. King has been splitting closing duties with Bryan Abreu of late, but Josh Hader (bicep) is on track to come off the IL before the end of the month to reclaim that job. King should remain one of the Astros' top setup men once that happens, and through 10.2 innings in May he's posted a 1.69 ERA and 1.22 WHIP, albeit with a 4:4 K:BB.

The Tigers placed Smith on the 15-day injured list Friday with right shoulder inflammation.

Smith gave up one run in two-thirds of an inning during his appearance Thursday and came away from his outing with soreness in his shoulder. He received a cortisone injection Friday to help treat the issue, but he won't be able to avoid spending a couple of weeks on the injured list. Brenan Hanifee was recalled from Triple-A Toledo to fill the open spot in Detroit's bullpen.