MLB Player News

Alvarado struck out two in a perfect inning to earn the save in Wednesday's 4-3 win over the Brewers.

The right-hander was trusted to lock things down in the ninth inning while pitching for the second day in a row, becoming the fifth different Athletics' pitcher to record a save since May 30. Alvarado struggled early in the season after making the Opening Day roster and was demoted in mid-April, but he's allowed just one hit while striking out nine over 4.1 innings across three appearances since returning to the majors last week. He's collected a save, four holds and a 2-0 record on the year despite a 5.79 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 18:7 K:BB through 14 innings. Alvarado is the ninth pitcher overall to earn a save for the team this season, as the closer situation remains a muddled committee for the A's.

Perkins allowed three runs on five hits and three walks while striking out four over four innings in a no-decision versus the Brewers on Wednesday.

Perkins was a little better this time out, but he still wasn't very efficient in his second start of the year. He threw 56 of 89 pitches for strikes and allowed two home runs while pitching at hitter-friendly Las Vegas Ballpark. In his two starts, he's allowed eight runs on 10 hits and five walks while striking out 10 over eight innings. Combined with his work out of the bullpen this season, Perkins has a 6.25 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 43:12 K:BB through 36 innings over 19 appearances. If the Athletics still need his help in the rotation, Perkins would be tentatively lined up for a home start in Sacramento against the Pirates next week.

Senzatela (6-0) allowed a run on two hits and struck out one over one inning, earning the win after taking a blown save versus the Cubs on Wednesday.

All three of Senzatela's blown saves have come over his last four appearances, a span in which he's allowed five runs (four earned) in 5.1 innings. The right-hander's move to the bullpen has still largely been successful, but the cracks are starting to show with his recent outings. He's at a 2.11 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 32:11 K:BB through 38.1 innings over 20 appearances, all in relief. Senzatela has a .245 BABIP, suggesting there's a fair amount of luck fueling his surface stats, though his 7.5 K/9 and 2.6 BB/9 are both improvements on his marks from last year. He still appears to be the preferred option for saves in Colorado's closer committee.

Soto secured the save Wednesday against the Dodgers, allowing two runs on two hits and no walks in the ninth inning.

Soto served up a two-run home run to Shohei Ohtani, so he needed every bit of the 9-6 lead the Pirates mounted following a late-inning comeback. The 31-year-old left-hander is serving as Pittsburgh's top closer, but he's now given up five runs over his past two outings. Through 29.1 innings, Soto still has a strong 3.38 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 34:12 K:BB while converting nine of his 12 save chances.

Gomez picked up the save in Wednesday's 6-4 win over the Tigers, allowing one run on two hits and one walk with one strikeout over one inning.

The saves leader for the Twins secured another one Wednesday despite a shaky ninth inning that saw him give up his first earned run since May 24. Gomez has now converted all five of his save chances with Minnesota this season as he maintains a light grip on the closer role. Since coming over from Tampa Bay in early May, the right-hander has given up only two earned runs with a 19:7 K:BB across 15 innings.

Paredes allowed a run on one hit and two walks with four strikeouts over three innings during Wednesday's win against the Tigers. He did not factor in the decision.

Paredes stepped into a starting role for the Twins after two long-relief outings to begin his big-league career. The 25-year-old set a season-high in strikeouts and now has a 4.35 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 8:6 K:BB across 10.1 major-league innings. Parades has not pitched more than five frames with Triple-A St. Paul or the Twins this season, so his potential upside as a starting pitcher is limited until he can work deeper into games.

Palencia (1-1) didn't record any outs and allowed a run on two hits and a walk to take the loss in Wednesday's 3-2 defeat to the Rockies.

Working in a 2-2 game in the bottom of the ninth inning, Palencia walked the leadoff hitter, then allowed a pair of quick singles to take his first loss of the season. The flamethrowing righty is still searching for his first save since May 14 as the Cubs have struggled lately, but Palencia is pitching well overall with a 2.87 ERA and 16 strikeouts across 15.2 innings this year. He should remain locked in as Chicago's unquestioned closer despite the small hiccup.

Brieske worked around three hits and a walk to toss 1.2 scoreless innings of relief in Wednesday's 6-4 loss to the Twins.

Brieske wasn't particularly sharp, but it was still a step in the right direction for him, as he had allowed three runs in each of his first two outings of the season. The righty had been on the injured list all year after suffering a left adductor strain toward the end of spring training, and it looks like he's still shaking off some rust after being reinstated in late May. Brieske should see his bullpen role grow as he settles in, though he may have limited fantasy upside working in middle relief.

Duran secured the save Wednesday against the Blue Jays, allowing no runs on two hits and no walks in the ninth inning. He struck out one.

After blowing his first save of the season Tuesday versus Toronto, Duran was shaky again Wednesday but managed to hold on for a scoreless save. The hard-throwing right-hander continues to maintain a strong grip as Philadelphia's closer, posting a 1.99 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 34:5 K:BB while converting 17 of his 18 save opportunities. Duran is tied for second in the National League in saves with Riley O'Brien.

Gusto gave up no runs on three hits and one walk while striking out four over four innings during the win against the Diamondbacks on Wednesday. He did not factor in the decision.

After working as a traditional starter at Triple-A prior to his call-up last Tuesday, Gusto delivered his longest outing in the majors this season Wednesday. The right-hander suffered his first loss of 2026 during his previous start while serving up three runs across two innings while working as more of an opener, but he pitched well versus Arizona and threw 45 of his 66 pitches for strikes as he continues to get stretched out.