MLB Player News

Slaten picked up the save in Monday's 4-2 win against the White Sox, pitching a clean inning with one strikeout.

Slaten efficiently secured the win, requiring only 12 pitches -- 10 of which were strikes -- to retire the side in order. Aroldis Chapman pitched the eighth inning, as he was called upon to face the top of the Chicago lineup. However, this outing shows that Slaten could be in line for more save opportunities as Boston manager Alex Cora may look to deploy Chapman in the highest leverage spots. Although Slaten owns a 4.00 ERA, his performance has been much better under the hood, pitching to a 1.59 FIP, 0.56 WHIP and 8:1 K:BB across nine innings.

The Guardians designated McKenzie for assignment Monday.

McKenzie has struggled in a mop-up role this season, allowing seven runs with a 4:7 K:BB over 5.2 innings. The 27-year-old holds just a 5.46 ERA, 21.2 percent strikeout rate and 15.6 percent walk rate since the start of the 2023 campaign and has dealt with arm issues during that stretch. McKenzie comes with team control through 2027, but his lack of minor-league options is likely to hurt his appeal on waivers.

Schultz gave up two hits and struck out eight over 4.1 scoreless innings of relief in Sunday's loss to the Mariners.

Per Keegan Matheson of MLB.com, the eight Ks tied a major-league record for a pitcher making his MLB debut in a relief role, a mark most recently matched by Hayden Wesneski in 2022 with the Cubs. Schultz began a conversion to the bullpen at Triple-A Buffalo last season and was having a good start to the season at that level, posting a 2.08 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 9:2 K:BB in 8.2 innings over four appearances. With the Blue Jays struggling to fill their fifth starter spot -- Easton Lucas, who took the loss Sunday, has been tagged for five homers and 14 runs in 7.2 innings over his last two starts -- Schultz made a strong case in his debut to stick around as a long reliever, and potentially even get a look as a primary pitcher working behind an opener.

The Marlins recalled Soriano from Triple-A Jacksonville on Monday.

Soriano is back in the majors after spending 48 hours at the Triple-A level. He's pitched in seven games out of the bullpen for Miami this season, posting a 6.94 ERA and 10:5 K:BB across 11.2 innings.

Beeter (shoulder) struck out all four batters he faced in his first rehab appearance with Single-A Tampa on Sunday.

It was a good start for Beeter, who should move up to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre eventually before being activated from the 15-day injured list. Beeter did not make any spring training appearances, so it could be a relatively lengthy rehab assignment.

The Reds optioned Wynne to Triple-A Louisville on Monday.

Wynne had his contract selected ahead of Sunday's game against the Orioles, and he earned a three-inning save in the Reds' 24-2 rout of Baltimore. Across his three innings of work, Wynne allowed three hits, including a solo home run, and struck out three batters with one walk. He'll head back to Triple-A, where Wynne has operated as a starter.

Suarez earned the save in Sunday's 3-2 win over the Astros, not allowing a baserunner while punching out two in a scoreless ninth.

Suarez continued his dominant ways and closed the door on the Astros to jump back into a solo lead for saves in all of baseball. He's yet to give up a run and has allowed just five baserunners in 10 innings while posting a 12:2 K:BB.

Hendriks allowed two runs on three hits while striking out one over one inning in Sunday's 8-4 loss to the White Sox.

It had been 22 months since Hendriks last pitched in a major-league game. The right-hander first beat non-Hodgkin's lymphoma before Tommy John elbow surgery sidelined him. He opened the eighth inning, allowing a single to the first batter faced then a two-run home run two batters later. "Some good things to take from it, some not so great things to take from it," Hendriks told Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic. "But, now I can say I've gone out there. Now I can say I've pitched for the Boston Red Sox. Now there's no sentimental value to anything like that. It's go and perform." Returning to the role as a closer may not be in the cards for Hendriks, but the Red Sox want him eventually to be part of a late-game crew.

Cruz earned a save against Tampa Bay on Sunday, issuing three walks and striking out one batter over 1.1 scoreless and hitless innings.

Max Fried gave New York 7.2 splendid scoreless frames, and Cruz was called upon in the bottom of the eighth to get the final out after the Rays put a runner on base. Cruz walked the first batter he faced but escaped further danger by getting Junior Caminero to pop out. The Yankees plated a run in the top of the ninth to eliminate a save opportunity for closer Devin Williams, and Cruz ended up finishing off the victory successfully despite issuing two more free passes. It's been a great start to the season for the 35-year-old reliever, as he's posted a 2.25 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 19:6 K:BB over 12 innings while working as one of New York's top high-leverage relievers. Cruz has two saves over his past four appearances, but he's unlikely to see consistent save chances with Williams still the team's primary closer despite some early-season struggles and Luke Weaver the top candidate for most save chances when Williams is unavailable.

Dubin (shoulder/ankle) rolled his ankle while on a rehab assignment with Triple-A Sugar Land, MLB.com reports.

Dubin is working his way back from a shoulder injury and suffered the ankle injury while playing catch during batting practice. He received imaging Sunday, though the new injury is not expected to be serious.