MLB Player News

Manager Aaron Boone said Wednesday that Cruz hasn't been available for the past few days due to a shoulder injury, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Boone didn't go into specifics about the injury, but he noted that imaging on the reliever's shoulder came back negative. With a 2.66 ERA and a 0.97 WHIP over 23.2 innings on the season, the 35-year-old righty has been a reliable high-leverage arm for New York, though it's unclear when he might be cleared to pitch in a game again.

Lawrence recently received a platelet-rich plasma injection in his right elbow and will rest for three weeks before beginning a throwing program, Danny Demilio of PittsburghBaseballNow.com reports.

Lawrence has resided on the injured list since April 23 after being diagnosed with inflammation in his right elbow. Though he's been out for nearly a month, Lawrence's condition hadn't shown much improvement, but the Pirates are hopeful that the PRP injection will provide some relief. The right-hander will likely operate as a middle reliever or setup man once he's ready to return from the IL, perhaps shortly before the All-Star break or soon after.

Soto threw a clean eighth inning Wednesday against the Brewers. He struck out one.

Soto continues to work as a setup man for closer Felix Bautista, picking up his ninth hold of the season Wednesday. Through his first 16.2 innings of the year, Soto owns a 3.78 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 17:7 K:BB. The hard-throwing 30-year-old remains one of Baltimore's top left-handed relievers, but he's without a single save opportunity over 19 appearances on the campaign.

Munoz earned the save in Wednesday's 6-5 win over the White Sox, allowing one hit in a scoreless ninth inning.

Munoz allowed a leadoff single to Andrew Vaughn before setting down the next three White Sox in order, locking down his league-leading 16th save this season. Munoz has now gone 21.2 innings without allowing an earned run to open the year, posting a 0.74 WHIP and 28:8 K:BB.

Baker (3-0) earned the win Wednesday against the Brewers after allowing an unearned run on one hit in the 10th inning. He struck out one.

Although it does go down as his first blown save due to the automatic runner coming around to score, Baker continued his strong campaign in the victory. Through 21.1 innings, the right-hander carries a 2.11 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and 27:5 K:BB. That said, Baker has just two holds and one save chance in 2025, so he appears to rank fairly low in Baltimore's bullpen hierarchy.

Bautista gave up a run on one hit and two walks in the ninth inning Wednesday to blow his first save of the season in an 8-4 extra-innings win over the Brewers. He struck out one.

With the Orioles nursing a 3-2 lead, Bautista came in and fanned Rhys Hoskins to begin the ninth, but walks to Sal Frelick and Jake Bauers set up Caleb Durbin to slap a game-tying single into right field. Bautista has now been tagged for at least one run in four straight appearances while posting a 3:5 K:BB in 3.2 innings, and the rough stretch has sent his ERA soaring from 1.64 to 4.30. There's been no indication that the right-hander's spot as Baltimore's closer is in jeopardy, but Andrew Kittredge's return from the IL on Wednesday gives new manager Tony Mansolino another high-leverage option to turn to if he decides to make a change.

Santana struck out two in a perfect ninth inning Wednesday to record his fifth save of the season in a 3-1 win over the Reds.

David Bednar worked Monday and Tuesday and collected the save in the latter game, leaving him unavailable Wednesday afternoon. Santana also worked the eighth inning Tuesday but was still fresh enough to remain a perfect 5-for-5 in converting save chances this season. Bednar appears to have inched back ahead in the pecking order for the Pirates' closer job, but Santana's 1.77 ERA, 0.79 WHIP and 13:3 K:BB through 20.1 innings on the year will keep him firmly in the high-leverage mix.

Lee (1-0) tossed two scoreless innings of relief with two strikeouts to earn the win in Wednesday's 5-1 victory over the Cardinals.

Lee followed Brant Hurter, who tossed three innings as the opener, and kept St. Louis off the board in the fourth and fifth. The effort earned Lee his first career win in his ninth appearance at the MLB level, all of which have come this season. The righty has pitched well when given an opportunity, as he's now sitting with a 0.82 ERA and 11 strikeouts across 11 innings of work.

Palencia tossed a scoreless ninth inning to record the save in Wednesday's 2-1 win over the Marlins.

After blowing a save and taking the loss Monday, Palencia pitched much better Wednesday, earning his first save of the season and just his second ever at the MLB level. The righty is seeing some time in the closer role with Porter Hodge (oblique) currently on the injured list and Ryan Pressly struggling. Palencia could strengthen his grip on the job if he pitches well while Hodge is on the shelf, and he's mostly done that in 2025, as he's now sitting with a 2.16 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 16 strikeouts across 16.2 innings.

King has been scored upon in seven of 16 appearances this season out of the Cardinals' bullpen.

King was a trusted reliever for manager Oliver Marmol the previous two seasons, collecting a 2.75 ERA across 75 appearances. The sinker baller is still inducing grounders at an elite 64.3 percent rate, but an ugly 4.91 ERA, 1.84 WHIP and 8:6 K:BB over 14.2 frames has reduced the southpaw to low-leverage appearances in 2025, as King's lone hold this season came back on Opening Day.