MLB Player News

Ottavino allowed two runs on three hits and struck out one over one-plus innings in Saturday's 6-4 extra-inning win over Baltimore.

Ottavino entered with one out in the seventh inning as Boston clung to a one-run lead. He and Matt Barnes were the main competitors for the closer role since spring training, but manager Alex Cora never made an official announcement. The manager brought Ottavino in to shepherd a lead through innings seven and eight. He retired both batters faced in the seventh with a man on second but ran into eighth-inning trouble. The game was shaping up to be the first that Boston would need a closer, and Cora made a decision to go with Barnes, but the save chance for Barnes never materialized.

Martin allowed one unearned run on three hits and struck out one over one inning in Saturday's 7-4 loss to the Padres.

Martin made his first appearance of the season after being activated off the injured list. He returns to help a bullpen challenged by injury, youth and inexperience.

Stanek surrendered a solo home run and struck out one in one inning of Saturday's 7-3 loss to the Athletics.

Seth Brown took Stanek deep in the eighth inning, launching a 424-foot shot to right field that left the bat at 106.1 mph. It was the first hit and run Stanek's allowed in six innings over five appearances. The right-hander has struck out eight, walked one and hit two batters.

Barnes (1-0) pitched a perfect ninth inning, striking out two en route to his first win of the season over the Orioles on Saturday.

After Boston tied it up in the top of the ninth inning, Barnes was called upon to force extras. Barnes secured the win after the Red Sox took a 6-4 lead in the 10th inning. The 30-year-old has been close to perfect this season, tossing five innings and striking out 11 while allowing just one walk. Barnes is slated to be the primary closer for the Red Sox, but he has not received a save opportunity yet.

Stephan allowed two runs on two hits and struck out one in one inning in Saturday's 11-3 win over the Tigers.

Stephan pitched the ninth inning and allowed a two-run home run to Jeimer Candelario. Luckily for Cleveland, it wasn't a close game. Stephan had one scoreless appearance this season prior to Saturday's rocky outing. The 25-year-old right-hander will likely see low-leverage assignments like he did Saturday. As a Rule 5 pick, Stephan has to be kept on the roster all season, or he'll be offered back to the Yankees.

Barria pitched two innings against Toronto on Saturday, allowing seven runs on six hits and four walks without striking out any batters.

Barria was recalled from the team's alternate training site on Saturday and immediately got a chance to contribute after starter Jose Quintana lasted only 1.2 innings. Barria inherited a seven-run deficit and retired his first batter to end the second frame and stop some of the bleeding, but he was subsequently knocked around himself and left with the Angels down by a score of 14-1. The right-hander threw 72 pitches in the relief appearance, likely taking him out of the picture for another outing for the next several days.

Montero blew a save Saturday after giving up one run on two walks with one strikeout during the eighth inning against the Twins.

The 30-year-old entered for the eighth inning but threw only 10 of 22 pitches for strikes, as he also hit a batter and allowed a run to score via a wild pitch. Montero is now 1-for-3 in save chances and has given up two runs on one hit with a 7:2 K:BB across 4.1 innings this season.

Kittredge (2-0) picked up the win Saturday, giving up one hit and one walk over 1.2 scoreless innings of relief while striking out one in a 4-0 victory over the Yankees.

After Chris Archer (forearm) was forced from the game in the third inning, the Rays' bullpen took over and finished off the combined shutout, with Kittredge getting credit for the win as the first man on the mound after Archer. Tampa Bay hasn't yet resorted to its patented openers-and-bulk-relievers formula on a consistent basis this year, but if it does, Kittredge would be one of the bullpen arms likely to benefit from the relief wins generated.

Borucki (illness) was reinstated from the COVID-19 injured list Saturday.

Borucki missed Friday's game due to vaccine-related symptoms, but he'll be available once again Saturday. Ty Tice was sent back down by the Blue Jays in a corresponding move.

Barria was recalled by the Angels on Saturday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Barria was part of the Angels' taxi squad for their current road trip, and he'll join the major-league bullpen after right fielder Dexter Fowler (knee) was placed on the 10-day injured list. Barria made seven appearances (five starts) for the Angels last year and posted a 3.62 ERA and 1.11 WHIP in 32.1 innings.