MLB Player News

Lopez (6-0) picked up the win Friday against the Orioles, giving up two hits and striking out one in a scoreless eighth inning.

Once again, the veteran right-hander was in the right place at the right time to vulture a victory, as Lopez entered the game with the score tied 3-3 and watched unlikely hero Nasim Nunez drive home the winning run in the top of the ninth on an infield single. Lopez is tied with five starting pitchers for the major-league lead in wins, a list that includes Max Fried, Hunter Brown and Robbie Ray, but that's come at a price for his fantasy investors -- he has a 7.20 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 14:6 K:BB through 20 innings.

Henriquez struck out one in a perfect sixth inning Friday to record his fifth hold of the season in a win over the Rays.

The back of the Marlins' bullpen has been something of a mess so far this season, but Henriquez has been one of the few bright spots. The 24-year-old righty was claimed off waivers from Minnesota during spring training and has delivered a 2.14 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 28:12 K:BB through his first 18 appearances and 21 innings with Miami. Jesus Tinoco, Calvin Faucher and Anthony Bender have been manager Clayton McCullough's most frequently used high-leverage arms, but Henriquez is making a push to join that group.

Pagan pitched a perfect ninth inning while striking out a batter to collect his 10th save of the season in Friday's 5-4 win over the Guardians.

After giving up four runs in 1.2 innings and taking a loss against the White Sox in his previous outing, Pagan did a great job rebounding against Cleveland. He retired all three batters he faced on 16 pitches, ending the game with a six-pitch strikeout of Gabriel Arias. By collecting his 10th save, Pagan has now reached double digits for the first time since 2019.

The Mets optioned Nunez to Triple-A Syracuse on Saturday.

Nunez will be sent to the minors as the roster casualty necessary to make room for Jose Castillo, who was acquired by the Mets in a trade with Arizona on Thursday. Nunez allowed three earned runs in 3.2 innings during his time in the big leagues.

The White Sox recalled Shuster from Triple-A Charlotte on Saturday.

Shuster was sent down to Triple-A on Friday, but he'll now come right back up to the majors to replace Tyler Gilbert (knee), who landed on the injured list Saturday. Shuster hasn't been very effective with Chicago this season, giving up nine earned runs in 10.2 innings while posting a 9:3 K:BB.

The White Sox placed Gilbert on the 15-day injured list Saturday with a sprained MCL in his left knee.

Gilbert was pulled from Friday's game against the Cubs after facing just two batters and will now miss at least the rest of May upon moving to the IL. Jared Shuster will come up from Triple-A Charlotte to fill Gilbert's place in the South Siders' bullpen.

Alvarado retired the final two batters of the ninth inning to collect a save in Friday's win over the Pirates.

The Phillies began the ninth inning with Daniel Robert on the mound in a non-save situation, but after the 30-year-old reliever walked in a run, Alvarado entered the game with an 8-4 lead and the bases loaded with one out. He needed just six pitches to put an end to Pittsburgh's late rally and pick up his seventh save of the young season. He now owns a 2.70 ERA and 1.20 WHIP through 20 frames.

Sands struck out two in a perfect ninth inning Friday to record his second save of the season in a 3-0 win over the Brewers.

Jhoan Duran was unavailable after pitching Wednesday and Thursday, but manager Rocco Baldelli elected to use Griffin Jax in the eighth inning Friday against the top of Milwaukee's order before handing the ball to Sands for the ninth. Sands has earned his spot in Minnesota's high-leverage crew with a 2.55 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 14:6 K:BB through 17.2 innings on the season, but despite picking up two saves in the last three days -- his first came in the second game of Wednesday's twin bill after Duran had worked the matinee -- the 27-year-old righty still appears to be no higher than third in the pecking order for closing duties.

Nelson will re-enter the Arizona rotation as a replacement for the injured Eduardo Rodriguez (shoulder) and is expected to make his next start Monday or Tuesday versus the Dodgers in Los Angeles, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.

Nelson made a spot start for last Monday against the Mets in place of Corbin Burnes, but the former had since shifted back to a relief role this week after Burnes didn't require a stint on the injured list. During that start, Nelson tossed 30 pitches, and he's been able to stay fairly stretched out while working out of the bullpen for much of the season, throwing at least 50 pitches in four of his nine relief outings. Manager Torey Lovullo said Friday that he's comfortable with Nelson working in the 65-to-70 pitch range for a couple of starts before ramping up beyond that, though it's not clear how long Nelson will be needed in the rotation. He currently holds a 5.13 ERA but a 3.93 xERA and a 16.1 K-BB% over 26.1 total innings on the season.

Finnegan earned the save in Friday's 4-3 win over the Orioles, allowing one hit with one strikeout in a scoreless ninth inning. He did not issue a walk.

The Nationals brought Finnegan in for the ninth inning to protect a one-run lead. He was able to work around a Jackson Holliday single to secure the save while tossing 15 pitches (nine strikes). Finnegan has earned a save in each of his last five outings, and his 14 saves are second-best in the majors behind Robert Suarez (15). Finnegan has a 2.70 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 17:7 K:BB across 16.2 innings this season.