MLB Player News

  • Brewers' Elvin Rodriguez: Tabbed as opener Monday

    Rodriguez will start Monday's game against the Royals as an opening pitcher, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

    The right-hander didn't pitch in Milwaukee's first two games of the season versus the Yankees, but he'll take the mound as an opener Monday with Brandon Woodruff (shoulder) and Tobias Myers (oblique) on the injured list and Jose Quintana still ramping up. Rodriguez had a 15:2 K:BB across 10.2 innings during spring training but surrendered nine earned runs and three homers. He built up to 3.2 innings in Cactus League play, so he could be capable of offering more length than the typical opener.

  • Diamondbacks' Justin Martinez: Makes season debut

    Martinez pitched a scoreless ninth inning in Saturday's 4-3 loss to the Cubs.

    Martinez made his season debut, entering the top of the ninth inning with Arizona down 4-1. None of the four balls in play he allowed left the infield, and only a fielding error by Martinez extended what could have been a 1-2-3 frame. The right-hander inked a five-year extension late in spring training and is expected to pitch in high-leverage situations, potentially splitting closing duties with A.J. Puk.

  • Royals' Carlos Estevez: Picks up save vs. Guardians

    Estevez (save) threw one inning Saturday against the Guardians, earning the save and striking out one batter.

    Nursing a one-run lead, Estevez walked Kyle Manzardo on five pitches to open the bottom of the ninth inning, but he settled down to retire the next three batters he faced, preserving the 4-3 Kansas City win. Estevez should see the bulk of the save chances for the Royals, though setup man Lucas Erceg is also a quality candidate for saves.

  • Aaron Bummer RP | ATL

    Braves' Aaron Bummer: Takes loss in relief

    Bummer (0-1) took the loss against the Padres on Saturday, allowing one run on one hit and one walk while striking out two across two-thirds of an inning.

    Bummer was called into action for the seventh inning after Spencer Schwellenbach tossed six scoreless frames. Bummer came out firing with two straight strikeouts, but he was lifted after giving up a ground-rule double to Jake Cronenworth and intentionally walking Xander Bogaerts, with Cronenworth coming around to score after Bummer's exit. The left-hander has given up a run in each of his first two outings of the 2025 season, but he'll likely remain in the high-leverage mix in Atlanta for now.

  • Mason Miller RP | SD

    Athletics' Mason Miller: Dominates for first save

    Miller picked up a save against the Mariners on Saturday, allowing one hit and striking out three batters in one scoreless inning.

    Though Miller gave up a one-out single, he was locked in during the outing, throwing 14 of 17 pitches for strikes and getting all three of his outs via strikeout. The flamethrowing righty ramped up to 102.2 mph with his fastball and got five whiffs during his limited time on the mound. Despite playing for an Athletics team that isn't expected to be a contender, Miller is one of fantasy's most desirable closers after notching 28 saves in 31 chances and posting an elite 14.4 K/9 over 55 appearances last season.

  • Josh Hader RP | HOU

    Astros' Josh Hader: More efficient in second save

    Hader walked one batter in a scoreless ninth inning Saturday to record the save in a 2-1 win over the Mets.

    Hader was shaky in his first save opportunity Opening Day, and he got off on the wrong foot Saturday when he walked Juan Soto on six pitches. Hader was able to steady himself by getting Pete Alonso to pop out on the first pitch, and the southpaw closer was able to cruise through the final two batters to earn his second save of the season. Hader is already on track to log a fifth consecutive 30-save season, and he'll look to earn his third of the year during the upcoming three-game home series against the Giants starting Monday.

  • Ryan Pressly RP | CHC

    Cubs' Ryan Pressly: Struggles but nabs first save

    Pressly picked up a save against the Diamondbacks on Saturday, allowing two runs on four hits and one walk while striking out one batter over one inning.

    Pressly had a cushy three-run lead to work with when he got the ball in the ninth inning, but the veteran righty nearly gave the game away. He allowed Arizona to pull to within a run before making an out when Eugenio Suarez tagged him for a two-run homer, and Arizona put the tying run on base when Gabriel Moreno followed with a single. Pressly managed to retire the next two batters, but he walked Ketel Marte, and then allowed Corbin Carroll to reach base on an infield single. However, Garrett Hampson made a baserunning blunder on the hit and was tagged out after reaching third base, allowing Pressly to escape with his first save as a Cub. He should have some leash given his veteran status, but if Pressly were to struggle for an extended period, Porter Hodge -- who saved nine games for Chicago last season -- would be waiting in the wings.

  • Chris Martin RP | TEX

    Rangers' Chris Martin: Earns first save of 2025

    Martin struck out two batters in a scoreless ninth inning Saturday to record his first save of the season in a 4-3 win over the Red Sox.

    Martin got the call to close things out Saturday after Luke Jackson was used for the first two games of the series. Martin had no problem getting through the inning and earned the save after striking out Triston Casas. Martin needed only 13 pitches (nine strikes), and given the Rangers used five relievers in Saturday's win, he could have his number called in Sunday's series finale.

  • Hoby Milner RP | CHC

    Rangers' Hoby Milner: Credited with win vs. Boston

    Milner (1-0) picked up the win in Saturday's 4-3 victory over the Red Sox. He allowed one hit and one walk while striking out a batter across 1.1 scoreless frames.

    Tyler Mahle was lifted in the second inning after tossing 61 pitches, and the Rangers turned to its bullpen for the rest of Saturday's contest. Milner was called upon in the fourth inning to record the final out, and he was able to get through the fifth inning unscathed after giving up a walk and a single. The left-hander joined Texas on a one-year deal in December after finishing the 2024 regular season with a 4.73 ERA in 61 outings for Milwaukee, and he should primarily work as a middle reliever.

  • Mike Clevinger RP | PIT

    White Sox's Mike Clevinger: Stuck with loss Saturday

    Clevinger (0-1) took the loss Saturday, giving up a run on a hit and a walk in an inning of relief as the White Sox fell 1-0 to the Angels.

    The 34-year-old was viewed at the potential closer for Chicago this season, but each of his first two appearances this season have come before the ninth inning. Clevinger got the call Saturday in the top of the eighth of a scoreless tie, and after retiring the first two batters he walked Jorge Soler, only to see him move him up to third base on a wild pitch that Matt Thaiss couldn't find right away. Yoan Moncada then got some revenge on his former team with an RBI infield single that deflected off Clevinger's leg. The right-hander came into 2025 with zero career saves, and given his usage so far and the inability of the White Sox to build leads that need protecting, it could be a while before Clevinger records his first.

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