MLB Player News

Colome notched his first save of the season after pitching a scoreless ninth inning Saturday against the Brewers.

Colome tossed nine of his 12 pitches for strikes and made quick work of the final three outs, forcing Kolten Wong and Luis Urias to ground out and finishing the game with a popout from Christian Yelich. Colome is now 1-of-2 on save opportunities to start the season but seems to have gotten back on track after his subpar debut on Opening Day. In any case, his role as the Twins closer appears safe for now.

Raley struck out one over 1.2 scoreless innings to record his first save of the season in Saturday's 9-1 win over the A's.

The southpaw was called on to squelch a rally in the eighth inning and protect a 5-1 lead after Enoli Paredes had loaded the bases, creating a save situation for Raley as the tying run was on deck, and the Astros then tacked on four more insurance runs in the top of the ninth. It's only the second career save for the 32-year-old, who coughed up two runs Friday in one-third of an inning, but Raley could see semi-consistent high-leverage work this season with Blake Taylor being the only other left-hander in the Houston bullpen at present.

Valdez earned his second save of the season Saturday against the Red Sox, striking out one while allowing a walk and a hit by pitch in a scoreless ninth inning.

The Orioles didn't announce a closer prior to the start of the year, but it sure seems as though Valdez has the job, as he's gotten the save opportunity in the Orioles' first two games, with Tanner Scott pitching in the eighth on both occasions. He didn't make it easy on himself Saturday, allowing the first two batters he faced to reach base, but he got the job done in the end.

Green picked up his first save of the season Saturday against the Blue Jays, striking out two of the four batters he faced and getting the other two to pop out.

Green entered in the sixth inning on Opening Day, but he was saved for a save situation this time around. He entered the game with two on and two out in the eighth, tasked with holding onto a two-run lead, and he was able to get the job done. He won't be picking up too many more saves this season, however, as Aroldis Chapman's suspension expired following the conclusion of Saturday's game.

Kittredge (1-0) allowed an earned run on two hits and a walk over one inning in Friday's win over the Marlins. He struck out one.

The right-hander was bailed out by the Rays' four-run ninth inning, affording him his first win since 2019. Kittredge should see his fair share of work in the middle innings this coming season, with his ability to work multiple frames making him especially valuable.

Fairbanks was credited with his second hold in a win over the Marlins on Friday, firing a scoreless one-third of an inning during which he allowed no hits and issued one walk.

Fairbanks' quick five-pitch appearance Friday was preceded by a one-inning stint Opening Day. The 27-year-old logged 47.2 frames over the past two seasons, and his high-90s fastball should play well in the later innings again in 2021.

Pearson (groin) has not yet thrown off a mound, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

It was reported earlier in the week that he would advance to mound work Friday, but that apparently didn't happen. Pearson remains without a timetable to return to game action.

Wilson (shoulder) will be activated prior to next weekend's series against the Rays, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Manager Aaron Boone said he liked what he saw in Wilson's live batting practice session Saturday, adding that the veteran southpaw is "pretty much ready to go." Wilson should occupy a low-to-mid leverage role out of New York's bullpen once healthy.

Diekman gave up three runs (two earned) on three hits and one walk while striking out two for his only outs in Friday's game against the Astros.

He came in for the ninth inning with the A's trailing 6-5, so this was not a save situation, but it was a high-leverage spot nonetheless. Sergio Romo, who is Diekman's perceived top competition for saves while Trevor Rosenthal (shoulder) is out, logged a scoreless eighth inning.

Iglesias gave up two runs on two hits while recording just one out in a non-save situation Friday against the White Sox.

Manager Joe Maddon brought his closer on with the Angels down 7-6 in the top of the ninth inning, but Iglesias promptly served up a solo shot to Tim Anderson and later gave up a hit to Jose Abreu, who scored after Iglesias was pulled from the game. Considering Iglesias notched a save on Opening Day, it's frustrating that he was used the very next day without a lead to protect, but the Angels ended up needing seven pitchers in this one.