MLB Player News

Thielbar struck out two in a perfect ninth inning Saturday to record his first save of the season in a 4-2 win over the Mets.

Daniel Palencia (oblique) landed on the IL on Friday, and Thielbar got the call for the Cubs' first save chance in his absence with two left-handed hitters due up for the Mets in the ninth. While the veteran southpaw didn't end up facing either of them as New York emptied its bench for pinch hitters Tommy Pham and Tyrone Taylor, Thielbar still got the job done. It's not yet clear how Cubs manager Craig Counsell intends to navigate closing situations without Palencia, but Thielbar has staked a strong early claim to being the primary option. Through eight appearances and seven innings this season, he sports a 2.57 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 10:4 K:BB.

Jansen earned the save in the Tigers' 4-1 win over the Red Sox on Saturday, allowing one hit with no strikeouts or walks in a scoreless ninth inning.

Jansen gave up a single to Willson Contreras but needed just nine pitches to record the next three outs, earning the save against the team he suited up for in 2023 and 2024. Jansen has converted five of six save opportunities this season (including four straight) and has a 1.59 ERA and 0.88 WHIP over 5.2 innings.

Skubal (3-2) earned the win against the Red Sox on Saturday, allowing one run on four hits and two walks while striking out 10 across six innings.

Skubal hit the ground running in Saturday's start, striking out the side in two of his first four innings while retiring 12 of the first 13 batters he faced. He dealt with some adversity in the fifth and sixth frames but yielded only one run on six total baserunners. He has four quality starts through five outings with a 2.08 ERA and 0.96 WHIP over 30.1 innings, and his 33 strikeouts are tied with Gavin Williams for fourth most in the American League. Skubal is lined up to face the Brewers at home next week.

Taillon (1-1) picked up the win Saturday, allowing one run on five hits and three walks over six innings in a 4-2 victory over the Mets. He struck out four.

The veteran right-hander delivered his second quality start of the season on 100 pitches (61 strikes), and the only blemish on his line was a Mark Vientos solo shot in the second inning. Taillon has given the Cubs six innings in three straight trips to the mound, and he'll take a 3.97 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 21:9 K:BB through 22.2 innings into his next outing, which is set to come on the road next weekend against the Dodgers.

Peralta (1-2) took the loss Saturday as the Mets fell 4-2 to the Cubs, giving up three runs on three hits and two walks over 5.2 innings. He struck out three.

The right-hander was locked in a 1-1 pitchers' duel with Jameson Taillon through five innings, but Peralta ran out of gas with two outs in the sixth, walking two straight batters before getting lifted after 93 pitches (54 strikes) and watching both come around to score. Peralta has allowed three runs or fewer in four straight outings but hasn't been rewarded with a win in any of them as the Mets' offense continues to struggle. He'll take a 4.05 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 28:10 K:BB over 26.2 innings into his next start, which is scheduled to come at home next weekend against the Rockies.

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.