MLB Player News

Wittgren picked up the save Wednesday against the Royals after pitching a scoreless ninth inning. He didn't record a strikeout nor issue a walk.

Wittgren is part of a three-man closer committee alongside James Karinchak and Emmanuel Clase, but he got the nod for the save opportunity here and didn't disappoint -- he retired Hunter Dozier, Kyle Isbel and Michael Taylor on eight pitches. This was a big bounceback performance for the 29-year-old right-hander, who opened the year allowing three runs across two-thirds of an inning against the Tigers on April 3.

Clase (1-0) earned the win while pitching a scoreless inning with two strikeouts Wednesday against the Royals.

Clase pitched the eighth inning and looked absolutely dominant, tossing 10 of his 15 pitches for strikes and fanning Salvador Perez and Jorge Soler for two of the three outs he recorded. Clase has generated two scoreless outings to begin the season.

Junis tossed five scoreless innings and gave up one hit and two walks while fanning six Wednesday against the Indians. He didn't factor into the decision.

Junis made his first two appearances of the season as a reliever, tossing two scoreless innings while fanning three and allowing two hits, but he also delivered the goods as a starter with a dominant performance in which he tossed 37 of his 58 pitches for strikes. It remains to be seen what will be Junis' role moving forward, but he's been up to the task when called upon thus far.

Yarbrough (0-1) took the loss Wednesday against the Red Sox after allowing six runs on nine hits and a walk while fanning two across five innings.

Yarbrough opened the season with a strong performance against the Marlins, tossing 5.2 scoreless innings while striking out three. However, he wasn't able to repeat the feat against the Red Sox, barely managing to complete five innings. Yarbrough held the Red Sox without a run through the first three frames, but the wheels started coming off in the fourth and he was eventually chased by a six-run fifth inning, He will attempt to bounce back in his upcoming start, scheduled for April 13 at home against the Rangers.

Colome earned the save Wednesday against the Tigers by allowing one hit with zero walks and three strikeouts across two scoreless innings.

The 31-year-old last pitched April 3 at Milwaukee but returned to the mound Wednesday with a strong performance in Detroit. Colome blew a save Opening Day by giving up three unearned runs, and he's yet to allow an earned run through three outings this season.

Barnes struck out four over two scoreless innings in Tuesday's 6-5 extra-innings win over Tampa Bay.

Barnes entered a non-save situation in the ninth inning and stayed in the game when Boston pushed across the tying run in the bottom half of the inning. He's considered the team's primary closer, but he's yet to get an opportunity to close out a game. Barnes has pitched well in two outings, striking out six with one walk over three scoreless innings.

Wilson (shoulder) threw to live hitters Tuesday and is on track to return from the injured list this weekend, Max Goodman of Sports Illustrated reports.

The throwing session went well, according to manager Aaron Boone, increasing the likelihood that the left-hander will return from the IL when eligible this Friday. Wilson has been throwing for over a week after being shut down with shoulder tightness near the end of spring training.

Pressly (1-0) earned the win after holding the Angels scoreless over the final two innings of Tuesday's game. He allowed two hits and no walks while striking out two.

It was another non-save situation for Pressly, who entered a tie game in the eighth inning and blanked the Angels the rest of the way. Thanks to a two-run home run by Carlos Correa in the top of the ninth, the Astros secured the win for Pressly. The 32-year-old has yet to allow a run in three innings of work this season.

Iglesias (1-1) was charged with the loss after surrendering two runs on three hits against the Astros on Tuesday. He struck out three and did not issue any walks over one inning of work.

Iglesias entered the top of the ninth in a non-save situation with the score tied, 2-2. He promptly gave up a leadoff single to Yordan Alvarez before Carlos Correa broke through an 0-2 count with a two-run homer to right field, serving Iglesias the loss. The 31-year-old has recorded one save so far this season and has already allowed four runs, including two long balls, in four appearances. That said, Iglesias has struck out seven hitters in four innings and has a lengthy track record as a reliable closer, so he's likely to turn it around soon.

Martin (back) could be activated this weekend against the Padres, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

He's scheduled to pitch two innings Wednesday at the alternate training site. If that goes well, his next live action could come out of the big-league bullpen.