MLB Player News
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Gus Varland RP | WAS
Nationals' Gus Varland: Picks up save
Varland earned the save Sunday against the Brewers, allowing no runs on no hits and no walks while striking out one in a clean ninth inning.
With normal closer Clayton Beeter down after pitching two days in a row, Varland rewarded the coaching staff's faith in him for Sunday's save opportunity, working a clean, efficient ninth inning. The 29-year-old hadn't had a save up to that point in his entire career, so it's a first for Varland, who snapped a two-outing streak of allowing at least a run in the process. He now holds a 5.40 ERA in five innings pitched.
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Zack Littell RP | ARI
Nationals' Zack Littell: Allows three homers in no-decision
Littell didn't factor into the decision Sunday against the Brewers, allowing three runs on six hits and no walks while striking out three in five innings of work.
Littell had a solid outing Sunday, but he made three mistakes that the Brewers punished for solo home runs that cost him a chance at a win. The good news is that those were the only three runs he surrendered in the game, as he was sharp and efficient otherwise, working through five innings in just 71 pitches. That brought Littell's season ERA to 4.20 with a 1.40 WHIP, 10 strikeouts and five walks in 15.0 innings pitched. Home runs have been an early problem for the right-hander, who has now allowed five on the season so far.
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James Wood RF | WAS
Nationals' James Wood: Smacks homer in win
Wood went 1-for-3 with a solo home run, two walks and two runs scored during Sunday's 8-6 win over the Brewers.
One day after lighting up the Brewers to the tune of four hits and an RBI, Wood followed that up by reaching base three times, including a fourth-inning homer to tie the game at one. It was the 23-year-old's fifth homer of the season and also his 14th RBI, a mark tied for seventh in MLB. His .274/.392/.613 slash line is also evidence of the hot start the young outfielder is enjoying to begin the 2026 campaign.
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Will Klein RP | LAD
Dodgers' Will Klein: Fans four in two relief frames
Klein allowed two hits and issued one walk while striking out four batters over two scoreless relief innings against the Rangers on Sunday.
Klein entered in the eighth inning with no outs and two runners on base. He allowed a single to allow one inherited runner to score and uncorked a wild pitch to permit the second inherited runner to cross the plate, but the righty reliever struck out the final two hitters in the frame to escape additional damage. Klein had a less eventful ninth inning, allowing an infield single but facing the minimum amount of batters thanks to a caught-stealing. Despite not being his sharpest Sunday, Klein lowered his season ERA to 1.17 through 7.2 innings. He's posted a 9:3 K:BB and has a win (but no holds or saves) on his ledger.
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Bradgley Rodriguez RP | SD
Padres' Bradgley Rodriguez: Continues strong start to season
Rodriguez tossed a scoreless inning against Colorado on Sunday, allowing one hit and striking out two batters.
Rodriguez was deployed in the ninth inning, though it was a relatively low-leverage situation with San Diego up by five runs. The right-hander got the job done, throwing 15 of 19 pitches for strikes while giving up just an infield single. Rodriguez has just one hold (and no saves) through seven appearances, but he's been very effective, allowing only one run while posting a 10:1 K:BB across 9.1 innings.
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Brett Sullivan C | COL
Rockies' Brett Sullivan: Knocks in two
Sullivan went 1-for-3 with a double and two RBI on Sunday against the Padres.
Sullivan has started three straight games with Hunter Goodman (finger) unable to handle defensive work behind the plate. Sullivan managed a double for the second consecutive contest, also knocking in Colorado's only two runs on the day. He has only 135 career plate appearances in the majors, but Sullivan has hit just .216 with two home runs.
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Austin Riley 3B | ATL
Braves' Austin Riley: Drives in two runs
Riley went 2-for-5 with a double, two RBI and a run scored in Sunday's win over Cleveland.
Riley added to the blowout with a two-RBI double in the eighth inning to extend Atlanta's lead to 12. It's been a slow start to the season for the third baseman, who owns a .614 OPS through 16 games with no homers to date, though his numbers have improved of late, as the 29-year-old is slashing .280/.400/.360 over his past seven contests.
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Mauricio Dubon LF | ATL
Braves' Mauricio Dubon: Trio of hits in win
Dubon went 3-for-4 with a double, two RBI and two runs scored in Sunday's 13-1 win over Cleveland.
With Michael Harris on paternity leave, Dubon started Sunday's contest in center field and continued to produce at the plate with a three-hit performance. Through 15 games, the 31-year-old has been among the most productive hitters on Atlanta, slashing .351/.373/.561 with eight extra-base hits, 10 runs and 11 RBI. With such strong play and Ha-Seong Kim (finger) not close to returning from the injured list, Dubon should continue to see regular action at shortstop and around the diamond wherever manager Walt Weiss needs him.
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Jorge Mateo SS | TB
Braves' Jorge Mateo: Tallies four hits
Mateo went 4-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored in Sunday's 13-1 victory over the Guardians.
Mateo drew the start at shortstop and made the most of the opportunity, reaching base in all four plate appearances with four singles. The veteran utility man has just 16 plate appearances on the year but has been productive when called upon, slashing .467/.500/.733 with two extra-base hits, seven runs, three RBI and a stolen base.
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Dylan Dodd RP | ATL
Braves' Dylan Dodd: Logs three-inning save
Dodd picked up the save Sunday against the Guardians. He allowed a hit and no walks while striking out two over three scoreless innings.
After six strong innings from Chris Sale, Dodd entered in the seventh frame and finished off Atlanta's lopsided win with a three-inning save. It marked the 27-year-old's first big-league outing of the season after being recalled from Triple-A Gwinnett prior to Sunday's game. He made 28 relief appearances for Atlanta last season and pitched effectively, posting a 3.60 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and a 30:5 K:BB across 35 innings.