MLB Player News

Finnegan earned the save in Saturday's 12-11 win against the Rockies, allowing one run on one hit and one walk with three strikeouts in the ninth inning.

Finnegan was called upon to protect a 12-10 lead in the ninth inning and made things interesting, surrendering an RBI triple to Mickey Moniak before ending the game with a strikeout. It was the second time through eight outings this year that Finnegan has been scored upon. On the year, the 33-year-old is a perfect 7-for-7 in save chances with a 2.08 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 11:5 K:BB across 8.2 innings.

Clase earned the save in Saturday's 3-0 win over the Pirates, allowing one hit in a scoreless ninth inning. He did not issue a walk or record a strikeout.

Clase allowed a triple to Enmanuel Valdez to start the ninth inning, but the latter ended up being tagged out by Jose Ramirez after unsuccessfully calling for time. Clase needed only three pitches to retire the next two batters to capture his fourth save of the season. He's now delivered three straight scoreless appearances and has a 5.79 ERA, 1.93 WHIP and 9:2 K:BB across 9.1 innings to start the year.

Bautista earned the save in Saturday's 9-5 win over the Reds, striking out one in a perfect ninth inning.

Bautista was called upon to protect a 9-5 lead in the ninth after Matt Bowman allowed the first three batters to reach. The closer needed just 10 pitches to lock down the save, stranding a pair of baserunners in the process for his fourth straight scoreless appearances. On the season, he owns a 3.00 ERA, 1.67 WHIP and 7:6 K:BB across six innings while converting both of his save opportunities.

Diaz earned the save after striking out two batters in a scoreless ninth inning to close out Saturday's 3-0 win over the Cardinals. He did not issue a walk.

Diaz needed 19 pitches (12 strikes) to get through the ninth inning, but he struck out the first two batters he faced before forcing a Yohel Pozo groundout to end the game. Diaz has converted on all five of his save opportunities this season and has struck out six batters without allowing a run over his last three innings of work.

Vest gave up a hit and a walk in a scoreless ninth inning Saturday to record his first save of the season in a 3-1 win over the Royals.

Tommy Kahnle and Tyler Holton had both pitched Thursday and Friday and were unavailable, leaving closing duties to Vest. The right-hander wasn't exactly sharp, but after putting two runners aboard with two outs, he coaxed a pop-up from Kyle Isbel to end the afternoon. Vest has had an impressive start to the season overall in a high-leverage role for the Tigers, posting a 1.04 ERA, 0.69 WHIP and 9:3 K:BB through 8.2 innings with one win and one hold in addition to Saturday's save.

Alvarado recorded the final out of Saturday's 11-10 win over the Marlins to pick up his fifth save of the season.

The Phillies took an 11-4 lead into the ninth inning, but Jordan Romano served up two homers en route to giving up six runs in two-thirds of an inning, forcing Alvarado into the game to clean up the mess. The southpaw needed just two pitches to get Xavier Edwards to line out to right field. Alvarado has been dominant to begin the season, going 5-for-5 in converting save chances while posting a 2.79 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 14:2 K:BB through 9.2 innings. While the Phillies have plenty of high-leverage options in the bullpen, Alvarado appears to have a lock on the closer job for the moment.

Holderman (knee) will start his rehab assignment with Triple-A Indianapolis on Saturday, Danny Demilio of PittsburghBaseballNow.com reports.

Holderman was placed on the 15-day injured list April 6 due to a right knee sprain. He was able to progress enough in his recovery to throw live batting practice, and he'll take the next step in his program by embarking on a rehab assignment. Holderman posted a 9.64 ERA and 2.14 WHIP across 4.2 innings before going on the IL.

Topa will open Saturday's game against Atlanta, Phil Miller of The Minnesota Star Tribune reports.

Topa has given up just one run in 6.2 innings this season, and he'll now be tasked with facing the top of Atlanta's lineup Saturday in what will be the first start of his major-league career. The 34-year-old righty will likely remain in the game for just one inning before handing things over to Simeon Woods Richardson, who is due to pitch in bulk relief.

The Pirates placed Mayza on the 15-day injured list Saturday due to a left shoulder lat muscle strain, Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Mayza may have picked up the injury in his last outing Friday against the Guardians, when he gave up two hits while striking out one over 1.2 frames. He will be eligible to return from the IL in early May, though how he responds to treatment over the next few days should determine the length of his rehab program. David Bednar was recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis in a corresponding move.

Lopez had his three-game suspension reduced to two games Saturday following his appeal to MLB, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

Lopez was ejected from Wednesday's game against the Pirates after inciting a bench-clearing brawl when he threw near Andrew McCutchen's head in the seventh inning. Lopez was initially handed a three-game suspension by MLB, but he was able to reduce that to two games, meaning he'll be available out of the Nationals' bullpen for the second leg of Sunday's doubleheader against the Rockies.