MLB Player News

Sands (0-1) took the loss Saturday, giving up one run on two hits in the ninth inning as the Twins were downed 5-4 by the Reds. He didn't walk or strike out a batter.

None of Minnesota's high-leverage relievers were particularly effective while trying to protect the 4-2 lead they got handed by Taj Bradley, and Sands got left holding the bag after allowing a pair of singles that were sandwiched around a sacrifice bunt. Sands headed into the season as the nominal favorite to close for the Twins and did convert his only save chance so far back on March 28, but since then he's collected three holds in eight appearances while posting a 4.91 ERA, 1.64 WHIP and 5:3 K:BB over 7.1 innings.

Fermin (head) will start at catcher and bat eighth Saturday against the Angels.

Fermin missed the Padres' last two games after taking a foul tip off his mask Wednesday, but he's been given the go-ahead to return behind the plate Saturday. The 30-year-old backstop hasn't found much offensive success in the early going, slashing .161/.270/.226 through his first 15 games.

Bradley came away with a no-decision in Saturday's 5-4 loss to the Reds, allowing two runs on five hits and two walks over six innings. He struck out five.

The 25-year-old right-hander actually put together his worst performance of the season after giving up one run or fewer in his first four trips to the mound, but Bradley was still in line for his fourth straight win until the Twins' patchwork bullpen fell apart late. Bradley racked up 31 called or swinging strikes among his 99 pitches (62 total strikes) while producing his third quality start of 2026. He'll take a 1.63 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 34:10 K:BB through 27.2 innings into his next outing, which lines up to come on the road next weekend in Tampa Bay.

Santillan struck out two in a perfect ninth inning Saturday to record his first save of the season in a 5-4 win over the Twins.

Emilio Pagan was able to pitch Friday night after sustaining a minor hamstring strain earlier in the week and picked up up his sixth save, but he was held out Saturday afternoon while Santillan handled the ninth. Santillan has gotten better results in the early part of the season -- he has yet to allow a run in 10 innings with a 0.90 WHIP and 12:6 K:BB, compared to Pagan's 4.35 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 10:6 K:BB in 10.1 frames -- but as yet, there's been no suggestion the Reds are thinking about making a switch at closer as long as their incumbent is healthy.

Abbott didn't factor into the decision in Saturday's 5-4 win over the Twins, giving up four runs (three earned) on six hits and three walks over 4.2 innings. He struck out three.

The southpaw didn't have his best stuff, tossing just 52 of 97 pitches for strikes and managing only eight swinging strikes. Abbott left the mound headed for his third loss of the season, but the Reds were able to rally late to take him off the hook. He failed to complete five frames for a second consecutive start. Abbott will carry a 5.84 ERA, 1.74 WHIP and 15:11 K:BB through 24.2 innings into his next outing, which is set to come at home next weekend against the Tigers.

Manager Walt Weiss said Saturday that Kim (finger) has resumed taking batting practice, Chad Bishop of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Kim has been on the shelf since the beginning of the season as he finishes up his rehab from offseason finger surgery. Atlanta's skipper said that the team plans to have the 30-year-old shortstop begin playing in sim games Thursday, and he'll likely be sent out on a minor-league rehab assignment shortly afterward.

Henry (shoulder) played catch Saturday, Mark Zuckerman of NatsJournal.com reports.

Saturday marks the first time Henry has done any sort of throwing since he landed on the injured list Monday with a right rotator cuff strain. He said afterward that he felt good while throwing and remains optimistic that his stay on the injured list will be brief.

Sosa isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Diamondbacks.

Sosa's 0-for-3 performance Friday ended what had been a seven-game hitting streak. The Blue Jays will give him a break Saturday, providing Eloy Jimenez with an opportunity to work as the DH.

Varsho (knee) isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Diamondbacks.

Varsho was taken out of Friday's contest due to left knee discomfort, and the Blue Jays will give him a day off Saturday so he can recover. Myles Straw will fill in as Toronto's center fielder and bat eighth.

Scott isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Astros.

Scott will receive a day off to regroup Saturday after going just 3-for-22 (.136) over his last 10 games. While he sits, Jose Fermin, Nathan Church and Jordan Walker will form St. Louis' outfield trio.