MLB Player News

Pagan picked up the save Wednesday against Atlanta after allowing one hit in a scoreless ninth inning. He struck out two.

Pagan continues to pull away as Cincinnati's clear-cut closer at the moment. The right-hander has struggled with the long ball at times -- he's yielded three homers over 17.1 innings -- but he still has a 2.65 ERA to go with a sublime 0.63 WHIP and 20:4 K:BB. Pagan has successfully converted nine of his 11 save chances in 2025, and his grip on the closer's role is strengthening while Alexis Diaz resides in the minor leagues.

Estevez picked up the save Wednesday against the White Sox after allowing one run on three hits in the ninth inning. He struck out two.

It wasn't easy for Estevez, who struggled with his command as 15 of his 21 pitches hit for strikes. The hard-throwing right-hander has still managed to successfully convert his last six save opportunities, which would figure to give him a pretty long leash as Kansas City's closer going forward. Despite posting a shaky 15:9 K:BB this season, Estevez has a 2.65 ERA and 1.24 WHIP and hasn't allowed a single home run over 17 innings.

Williams (1-2) came away with the win in Wednesday's extra-inning contest against the Padres, allowing one walk while striking out three batters in a scoreless 10th inning. He did not allow a hit.

With Luke Weaver being deployed in the ninth inning, the Yankees turned to Williams in the 10th to keep the game tied at 3-3. Williams struck out two of the first three batters he faced, and after loading the bases on a hit-by-pitch, he closed things out with a six-pitch punchout of Xander Bogaerts. Williams has started the season poorly with a 9.24 ERA across 12.2 innings, but he's been unscored upon in four of his five outings since being removed from the closer role.

The Orioles designated Pennington for assignment Wednesday, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

Pennington has made two appearances in the minors this season, during which he's given up five earned runs in one combined inning between High-A Aberdeen and Triple-A Norfolk. While he continues to work on his mechanics in the minors, he'll give up his spot on the Orioles' 40-man roster for Luis F. Castillo, who was claimed off waivers from the Mariners on Wednesday.

Chapman earned the save in Wednesday's 6-4 win over the Rangers, allowing one solo home run and one walk while striking out one batter in the ninth inning.

Chapman was brought in for the ninth frame with the Red Sox up 6-3, but Boston's lead was quickly cut down to two when Josh Jung took the first pitch of the at-bat deep to left-center field for a solo home run. Chapman yielded a walk later in the frame, but the veteran closer was able to finish things off with an eight-pitch punchout of Blaine Crim, with two of the southpaw's sinkers touching 103 mph. Chapman has five saves in as many opportunities this season with a 2.19 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 18:5 K:BB over 12.1 innings, though he's been a bit shakier lately with two runs allowed in his past four outings.

Sauer came away with the save in Wednesday's 10-1 win over the Marlins, allowing one run on one hit and one walk while striking out four across four innings.

The Dodgers needed only two pitchers Wednesday, with Landon Knack serving as the starter before Sauer relieved him to toss the final four innings. The right-hander's lone blemish came in the ninth frame on a sacrifice fly, but he finished the game with seven whiffs on 42 pitches (31 strikes) to register the first save of his major-league career. Sauer should continue to serve in the Dodgers' bullpen as a bulk reliever after Evan Phillips (forearm) was placed on the 15-day injured list, but the former made three starts with Triple-A Oklahoma City and is capable of stepping in as a spot starter.

Munoz earned the save in Wednesday's 6-5 win over the A's, allowing one hit while striking out two in a scoreless ninth inning.

After taking his first blown save of the year in the 10th inning of his last appearance, Munoz responded with a strong effort Wednesday to close out a one-run victory, picking up his 13th save this season, good for second most in the majors. The 26-year-old Munoz has yet to allow an earned run through his first 18 innings, posting a pristine 0.83 WHIP with 25:8 K:BB.

The Blue Jays optioned Tate to Triple-A Buffalo on Wednesday.

Since being promoted from Triple-A on April 20, Tate has surrendered three runs while logging a 7:6 K:BB in 5.1 innings across five appearances. He'll now head back to Buffalo to make room for Braydon Fisher, who was selected to the active roster in a corresponding move.

Harvey (shoulder) came away from his most recent live batting practice session Tuesday with a bit of soreness, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Manager Matt Quatraro said the team is going to ease up a bit on Harvey's progression and will go back to having the 30-year-old righty throw standard bullpen sessions. Once he's able to pitch without triggering any soreness, he'll likely resume work against live hitters.

Walker earned the save in Wednesday's 3-1 win over the Cubs, allowing one hit in a scoreless ninth inning.

Walker failed to convert a save in Tuesday's contest, allowing the Cubs to tie the game with two runs on a hit and two walks in the ninth inning. However, Walker was called upon to close out a two-run lead again Wednesday. He'd give up a leadoff hit to Carson Kelly before inducing a double-play ball off the bat of Justin Turner en route to his seventh save of the year. Walker's had a few tough outings early in the season, though he remains the preferred ninth-inning option for San Francisco. Overall, his ERA sits at 6.08 with a 1.35 WHIP and 15:4 K:BB across 13.1 innings.