MLB Player News

Abreu earned the save against the Dodgers on Wednesday, pitching a scoreless inning and allowing two walks while striking out one.

The Astros held a 5-2 lead heading into the ninth frame, but regular closer Ryan Pressly was unable to pitch due to a stiff neck. Houston consequently turned to Abreu, who put a pair of runners on base with walks but rebounded to strike out Albert Pujols and wrap up the first save of his career. It remains to be seen how much additional time, if any, Pressly will miss, and Abreu could be in the mix for additional save chances if the Astros are without their primary closer for future contests.

Feyereisen (1-2) allowed one earned run on one hit and struck out one to earn the win Wednesday against the Royals.

Feyereisen entered the game in the ninth inning to protect a one-run lead, but he promptly allowed a leadoff home run that tied the score. The Rays stuck with him, and he went on to retire the next six batters he faced to earn the win. It was the second time the Rays have used Feyereisen in a save situation since he was acquired May 21, though Diego Castillo still figures to work as the primary closer for the time being.

Armstrong pitched a perfect seventh inning in Wednesday's 3-2 loss to Minnesota.

The 30-year-old has struggled to put together clean outings this season, but he's posted two in a row after Wednesday. Armstrong has a 7.64 ERA, 1.87 WHIP and 18:9 K:BB across 17.2 innings this year. He's given up seven runs in 9.2 innings during May, and his inability to pitch consistently has led to a low-leverage role after he opened the season in the closer conversation.

Pressly wasn't available for Wednesday's game against the Dodgers due to neck stiffness, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Manager Dusty Baker said the right-hander was unavailable since he was unable to "even turn his head," resulting in Bryan Abreu picking up the save Wednesday. Pressly will have Thursday's scheduled off day to aid in his recovery before Friday's series opener against the Padres.

Soto worked around a walk to pitch a scoreless ninth inning and earn the save in Wednesday's win over the Indians. He struck out one.

The save was only the fifth of the season for Soto, which isn't too surprising given Detroit's 19-30 record. Michael Fulmer, who pitched the eighth inning and earned the win in this one, has also emerged as a solid bullpen option and has recorded four saves to date. Soto should continue to see most of the save chances for the Tigers, but don't expect that volume to be particularly high.

Robles recorded the save Wednesday against the Orioles after allowing one run on two hits with zero strikeouts and zero walks during the ninth inning.

The right-hander surrendered a leadoff double to Trey Mancini, and he came around to score on Maikel Franco's two-out double. Robles has three saves in five chances and also has eight holds, so he's clearly established himself as a high-leverage piece for manager Rocco Baldelli. Taylor Rogers picked up the save Tuesday and should continue to operate as the primary closer, but Robles is now in the mix for ninth-inning opportunities.

Lopez (1-6) took the loss Wednesday at Minnesota after allowing three runs on four hits with four walks and three strikeouts across six innings.

The 28-year-old kept the Twins off the board through five frames, but he gave up a single and a walk before surrendering a two-out, three-run homer to Miguel Sano during the sixth inning. It's the third straight loss for Lopez, whose lone win of the season came April 16 at Texas. The right-hander has a 5.80 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 45:20 K:BB over 45 innings this season.

Rays manager Kevin Cash said Patino (finger) threw a light side session Wednesday, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.

Tampa Bay will re-evaluate Patino on Thursday, and if the finger laceration on his throwing hand is no longer proving bothersome, he should return from the injured list for this weekend's two-game series versus the Phillies. The 21-year-old had been working as a starter prior to landing on the IL, but Tampa Bay could choose to reintegrate him in a bullpen role.

Garcia will rejoin the Yankees starting rotation this weekend against the Tigers, Lindsey Adler of The Athletic reports.

The 22-year-old has been at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre for the past month after making his lone big-league start of the season, but he'll rejoin New York this weekend in Detroit with Corey Kluber (shoulder) facing an extended absence. Garcia struggled in four starts at Triple-A with a 5.17 ERA, 1.64 WHIP and 21:12 K:BB over 15.2 innings, but he'll now have a chance to solidify a rotation spot in the majors for the foreseeable future.

Baker (elbow) has tossed 8.2 scoreless innings across seven appearances for Triple-A Buffalo this season, notching two saves while striking out 13.

Baker missed a good chunk of spring training due to a Grade 1 right elbow strain, but he was cleared for game action ahead of the Triple-A season, which began earlier this month. The 26-year-old has looked good thus far in the closing role for Buffalo, converting both of his save opportunities and holding opposing hitters to a .133 average. If he continues to thrive in the late innings for Buffalo, he should earn his first MLB call-up later in 2021.