MLB Player News

Estevez notched the save in Wednesday's 3-2 win over the Reds after throwing 1.1 scoreless innings. He struck out two.

It was just the third time this season that Estevez worked more than one inning, and he was able to turn in his 12th scoreless outing in his last 13 appearances. The 32-year-old right-hander has successfully converted each of his 10 save chances during this span, boasting a 0.68 ERA and 13:1 K:BB over his last 13.1 innings. Estevez continues to solidify his grip on Kansas City's closing job, as he's now second in the American League with 15 saves in 2025.

Erceg was unavailable for Wednesday's game against the Reds due to an illness, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Erceg's illness helps explain why he hasn't pitched since Saturday, especially since the Royals led by only two runs entering the eighth inning of Wednesday's contest but turned to John Schreiber rather than Erceg. The 30-year-old righty will have an extra day to recover during Kansas City's day off Thursday and could be back in action for the start of the weekend series against Detroit.

Cruz (shoulder) threw a 20-pitch bullpen session Wednesday, Meredith Marakovits of YES Network reports.

Cruz said afterward that his mound session went well, and he's expected to begin facing live hitters Saturday. Assuming he doesn't experience any setbacks over the next several days, he seems to be on track to return when eligible Tuesday.

Helsley allowed two hits in a scoreless ninth inning to earn his 12th save in Wednesday's 6-4 win over the Orioles. He did not strike out or walk a batter

Helsley faced the top of the Orioles' order and worked around two singles to secure the victory. The 30-year-old has converted all eight of his save chances in May, though he's allowed at least one hit in eight of 10 appearances this month. On the year, he's 12-for-14 in save opportunities and owns a 3.15 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 21:11 K:BB across 20 innings.

Faucher tossed a perfect ninth inning with no strikeouts to earn the save in Wednesday's 10-8 win over the Padres.

Faucher was called upon to face the top of the Padres' order and needed just eight pitches to convert his first save since April 22. With Jesus Tinoco struggling and Ronny Henriquez used in the seventh and eighth innings Wednesday, Faucher may be back in the mix for closing opportunities. He ranks second on the team with three saves and owns a 5.21 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 19:10 K:BB across 19 innings this season.

Feyereisen cleared waivers Tuesday and was sent outright to Triple-A Oklahoma City.

Feyereisen was pushed off the 40-man roster Sunday after the Dodgers signed Chris Stratton to a big-league contract, but the former will officially remain within the organization after passing through waivers unclaimed. Feyereisen has posted a 3.86 ERA and 1.79 WHIP over 14 innings in Triple-A this season.

Kahnle struck out two in two perfect innings Wednesday to record his seventh save of the season in a 4-3 win over the Giants.

With Will Vest having picked up saves in the first two games of the series Monday and Tuesday, Kahnle was brought in to bail out John Brebbia with runners on second and third and nobody out in the eighth inning. After escaping that jam, Kahnle stayed on the mound and dispatched San Francisco's 2-3-4 hitters in the ninth to earn his second save in May. Vest appears to be the preferred closing option for Detroit right now, but Kahnle remains in the ninth-inning mix thanks to a 1.52 ERA, 0.80 WHIP and 22:6 K:BB through 23.2 innings.

Clase struck out one in a perfect ninth inning Wednesday to record his 11th save of the season in a 7-4 win over the Dodgers.

The Cleveland closer needed only 10 pitches (eight strikes) to carve up the Dodgers' 6-7-8 hitters, fanning Enrique Hernandez to end the afternoon contest. After an uneven beginning to the campaign, Clase has been charged with an earned run in only one of his 10 appearances in May, posting a 0.93 ERA, 0.72 WHIP and 10:2 K:BB on the month while converting all six of his save chances.

Allard didn't factor into the decision in Wednesday's 7-4 win over the Dodgers, giving up two runs on four hits over four innings. He struck out three without walking a batter.

Making his first start of the season after seven relief appearances, Allard threw 44 of 62 pitches for strikes but left the mound in line for the loss, only for the Guardians' offense to rally late against Tanner Scott and the Dodgers' bullpen. Allard has been effective as a long reliever and swingman this year, posting a 2.05 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 10:3 K:BB through 22 innings, but that lack of dominance -- not to mention a 5.71 career ERA in the majors -- makes him a risky fantasy option even in AL-only formats.

Scott (0-1) took the loss and blew the save Wednesday as the Dodgers were downed 7-4 by the Guardians, surrendering four runs on three hits and a walk over two-thirds of an inning. He struck out two.

Called in to protect a 4-2 lead with two outs in the seventh inning, Scott got the final out of that frame but fell apart in the eighth, putting the first three batters aboard before serving up a game-tying single to Nolan Jones before being replaced by Alex Vesia, who promptly surrendered a three-run homer to Angel Martinez. While he wasn't used in a save situation, it's the third time in his last five appearances that Scott has been charged with a blown save, a stretch in which he's coughed up nine earned runs in 4.2 innings. He now carries a 4.62 ERA on the season despite a 1.11 WHIP and 28:3 K:BB in 25.1 innings, and with five blown saves against 10 successful conversions, his job at closer could be in jeopardy, especially once the likes of Kirby Yates (hamstring) and Michael Kopech (shoulder) come off the IL.