MLB Player News

Nelson allowed two hits and struck out one over four relief innings in Saturday's 11-7 loss to Washington.

The right-hander helped bail out the bullpen after starter Brandon Pfaadt was removed without recording an out. Nelson, who has been filling in for injured starter Eduardo Rodriguez (shoulder), said he learned Friday that he would return to the bullpen, Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports reports. He was lined up to start Tuesday but now appears to have higher-leverage opportunities on the horizon, per Weiner.

Faucher picked up a save against the Giants on Saturday, allowing one hit in a scoreless inning of work.

Faucher was tasked with protecting a one-run lead in the ninth frame, and he was able to work around a two-out single to get the job done. The right-hander is now tied for the team lead with Jesus Tinoco with four saves on the campaign. Tinoco hasn't logged a save since mid-May, but Ronny Henriquez has pitched well and recorded a save May 25 against the Angels. However, Henriquez entered in the sixth inning Saturday with two on and two out in a 1-0 game. The team's bullpen hierarchy remains highly unpredictable, but Henriquez appears to be manager Clayton McCullough's top choice for a high-leverage fireman role, while Faucher -- who has the Marlins' last two saves -- might be settling into a more traditional ninth-inning assignment.

Thornton (abdomen) started a minor-league rehab assignment with Triple-A Tacoma on Friday, MLB.com reports.

Thornton, who is recovering from appendicitis, tossed 16 pitches and fanned two in a scoreless inning Friday. The 31-year-old veteran right-hander has been on the injured list since May 9, but he's now tracking toward a return to Seattle's bullpen sometime around the first or second week of June. Thornton has a 5.87 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 11:4 K:BB over 15.1 innings this season, and he'll likely work as a middle reliever once he rejoins the Mariners.

Helsley picked up the save Saturday against the Rangers. He allowed no hits or walks while striking out two over a perfect inning.

Helsley was rock solid Saturday, tossing a clean ninth inning to seal a victory for the Cardinals. The hard-throwing right-hander has converted nine consecutive save opportunities, delivering a scoreless frame in eight of them. On the year, the 30-year-old has a 3.00 ERA and 1.43 WHIP across 21 innings.

Bautista walked two and struck out three in a scoreless ninth inning Saturday to record his 10th save of the season in a 4-2 win over the White Sox.

The right-hander had some trouble finding the plate as he pitched on back-to-back days for just the second time this season, tossing only 11 of 23 pitches for strikes, However, after putting the potential tying run aboard with one out, Bautista rallied to strike out Luis Robert and Austin Slater. Bautista has been struggling over the last few weeks, posting a 7.04 ERA, 1.96 WHIP and 10:8 K:BB over his past 7.2 innings, but he's still converted three of his four save chances during that span.

Clase pitched a perfect ninth inning in Saturday's 7-5 win over the Angels to record his 12th save of the season.

Clase needed only 10 pitches (seven strikes) to retire the side in the ninth. He'll finish the month of May with seven saves, and his 12 saves on the year is tied with Edwin Diaz and Mason Miller for ninth most in the majors. Clase has a 4.13 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 24:5 K:BB across 24 innings this season, as he's appeared to stabilize himself after a rough start to the campaign.

The Red Sox are expected to promote Guerrero from Triple-A Worcester on Sunday, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Guerrero has spent most of the season in Triple-A, where he has a 4.43 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 16:11 K:BB across 20.1 innings. He's made four appearances out of the Red Sox's bullpen this season and has allowed one run on three hits and three walks while striking out four across 5.1 innings.

Hoffman gave up two runs on two hits and a walk in the ninth inning Saturday to record his 13th save of the season in an 8-7 win over the A's. He struck out one.

Keeping the ball in the yard was once again an issue for Hoffman, who served up a two-run blast to Brent Rooker with two outs. The right-hander's woes didn't end there -- his next pitch after the homer resulted in a double for Tyler Soderstrom, and Hoffman only avoided blowing the save when Ernie Clement robbed Shea Langeliers of a line-drive RBI single with a diving catch. Hoffman wraps up a nightmarish May with a 13.50 ERA over 10 innings thanks largely to five home runs allowed, and he blew three of his 10 save chances. Toronto hasn't indicated his job as closer is in jeopardy as of yet, but the 32-year-old will need to turn things around quickly in June to keep it that way.

Estevez earned the save in Saturday's 1-0 win over the Tigers, allowing one hit with no walks or strikeouts in a scoreless ninth inning.

Estevez was brought in for the ninth to maintain the Royals' lead and shutout bid. He allowed a single after retiring the first two batters, but he closed things out by inducing a Riley Greene groundout. Estevez has converted 16 of his 18 save opportunities this season and has not allowed a run over his last eight outings. He has a 1.78 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 23:3 K:BB across 25.1 innings this season.

The Nationals recalled Salazar from Triple-A Rochester on Saturday, Spencer Nusbaum of The Washington Post reports.

Salazar had a hard time finding his footing in the majors to begin the season, posting a 9.77 ERA and 2.23 WHIP in 15.2 innings. Since returning to Triple-A on May 7, he's given up just two runs in 10.1 frames while striking out eight batters and walking seven. His turnaround will buy him another chance in the Nationals' bullpen, though he likely won't see many high-leverage opportunities. Jorge Lopez was DFA'd in a corresponding move.