MLB Player News

Hand gave up a run on two hits while striking out three in the ninth inning Wednesday to record his fifth save of the season in a 4-3 win over the Cubs.

A solo shot by Javier Baez made things nervous for the Nats, but Hand eventually got the job done. The veteran closer has converted two straight save chances after blowing two straight earlier this month and he's been scored upon in four of six appearances in May, leading to an 8.44 ERA in his last 5.1 innings despite a strong 10:3 K:BB.

Yang (0-1) allowed two runs on three hits and four walks while striking out two over 5.1 innings as he was charged with a loss against the Yankees on Wednesday.

Yang held the Yankees scoreless for the first five innings largely due to three double-play balls that got him out of potential trouble. The 33-year-old couldn't make it out of the sixth after he allowed two runs on a triple, two walks and a sacrifice fly before being taken out of the game. Yang has split his time between the bullpen and rotation so far this season while posting a 3.38 ERA and a 15:9 K:BB over 21.1 innings. It's unclear whether manager Chris Woodward plans to give him another start or move him back to the bullpen.

Melancon didn't allow a baserunner and had zero strikeouts during the ninth inning to earn the save during Wednesday's 3-0 win against Colorado.

The veteran right-hander was handed a three-run cushion and retired the side in order with little fanfare. Melancon has converted all 15 save opportunities with a 0.87 ERA, 0.82 WHIP and 16:5 K:BB across 20.2 innings this season.

Hendriks recorded two strikeouts and didn't allow a baserunner during the ninth inning to record the save during Wednesday's 2-1 win at Minnesota.

The right-hander needed only nine pitches to retire the side in order while holding onto a one-run advantage. Hendriks is 9-for-11 in save chances with a 2.50 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and 28:2 K:BB through 18 innings.

Smith (1-4) pitched a perfect ninth inning and struck out two to earn the win Wednesday versus the Mets.

Smith kept the game tied at 4-4 in the top of the ninth inning, and Ronald Acuna hit a walkoff home run in the bottom half of the frame. The 31-year-old Smith has now gone six outings without a save, although that's more from a lack of close games in Atlanta's favor recently. The closer has a 4.50 ERA, 1.33 WHIP, 24:8 K:BB and seven saves in 18 innings this year.

Staumont allowed one run (none earned) on one hit and one walk while striking out one in the ninth inning to earn the save Wednesday against the Brewers.

Staumont was called upon to protect a three-run lead in the ninth inning and was able to do so to record his fifth save of the season. While the leadoff hitter reached base on an error, Staumont did surrender a double and a walk to make the frame a bit adventurous. Even so, Staumont has now recorded each of the team's last five saves, meaning it appears he has emerged as the team's preferred option in the closer role -- at least for the time being. He's pitched well enough to maintain high-leverage usage, as he currently owns a 2.18 ERA and 23:11 K:BB across 20.2 frames.

Fairbanks notched the save Wednesday against the Orioles after giving up one run on two hits and a walk across one inning.

Fairbanks entered the game in the bottom of the ninth with the Rays holding a three-run cushion, and while he put runners on the corners with two outs, he retired Maikel Franco on a groundout to end the game. This was Fairbanks' first save of the campaign, and he's yet to give up more than one run in any of the seven appearances he's made so far.

Yarbrough gave up six runs (three earned) on seven hits and two walks while fanning two across six innings Wednesday against the Orioles. He didn't factor into the decision.

Yarbrough can consider himself fortunate to have posted his first quality start of the campaign, as half of the runs he gave up were unearned. Between poor outings and short starts, the 29-year-old left-hander has been unable to become a reliable presence in the rotation for the Rays and owns a 2-3 record with a 4.24 ERA through nine starts. He' s next slated to take the hill Monday at Toronto.

Garcia picked up his eighth save of the season Wednesday against the Phillies after tossing 1.1 scoreless innings, giving up two hits and fanning two.

Garcia entered the game with one out to go in the eighth inning and got the job done before things got a bit complicated in the ninth. The right-hander had runners on the corners with one out, but he struck out Alec Bohm and induced Andrew Knapp into a flyout to close things out. He's gone 7-for-8 in save opportunities in 2021 and should remain the Marlins' closer moving forward -- he has given up just two runs across 13.2 innings of work since April 10, the day he compiled his first save.

Rainey (undisclosed) was placed on the COVID-19 injured list Wednesday, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

Erik Fedde was also placed on the specialized injured list, with one player having tested positive for the virus while the other is out for contract tracing, though it's unclear which is which at this point. Regardless, Fedde and Rainey will be sidelined until they clear the league's COVID-19 protocols.