MLB Player News

The Guardians will have Allard start Wednesday's game against the Dodgers at Progressive Field, Joe Noga of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Slade Cecconi had been slated to take the hill Wednesday, but he ended up being scratched while he tends to mild groin tightness. As a result, Allard will be called upon to make his first start of the season in the big leagues, as the 27-year-old lefty has previously made all of his appearances out of the bullpen since getting called up from Triple-A Columbus on April 26. Allard will likely be operating on somewhat of a restricted workload Wednesday, though he did make four starts for Columbus earlier this season and has made six-, four- and three-inning relief appearances for the Guardians over the past month. If he fares well Wednesday and if Cecconi's groin issue is more serious than anticipated and forces him to go on the injured list, Allard could be in line for additional turns through the Cleveland rotation.

Chapman was charged with a blown save in Tuesday's loss to the Brewers after allowing a run on two hits and a walk over an inning of work. He struck out one.

Chapman came in to close the door in the ninth with a one-run lead after Richard Fitts and the bullpen blanked the Brewers. Chapman found himself with runners on the corners and one out before Sal Frelick knocked in a run that would end up sending the game to extras. Tuesday marked Chapman's first outing this season allowing multiple base hits and it was his first blown save of the year. He's allowed five hits and three walks over his last six appearances but has kept the damage to a minimum. The 37-year-old owns a 2.14 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 28:8 K:BB in 21 innings this season.

Williams picked up the save Tuesday in a 3-2 win over the Angels, allowing two runs on three hits and no walks over one inning. He did not record a strikeout.

The right-hander was removed from the closer role due to early-season struggles but was called on to pitch the ninth inning, with Luke Weaver likely unavailable after working the previous two days. Williams saw his streak of eight consecutive scoreless appearances snapped by a Yoan Moncada solo homer and Jo Adell RBI, but Williams narrowly escaped with the save. The former Brewer didn't issue a walk against the Angels but has posted a career-worst 5.40 BB/9 through his first 23 appearances and 20 innings as a Yankee, contributing to a disappointing 6.75 ERA and 1.55 WHIP. While Williams filled in as closer, it's unlikely he reclaims the full-time role anytime soon, with Weaver sporting a 0.73 ERA.

Kowar (elbow) could be nearing his activation from the 60-day injured list, MLB.com reports.

Kowar has produced solid results in the minor leagues amidst his recovery from 2024 Tommy John surgery, posting a 2.57 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 4:3 K:BB over seven innings (eight appearances) on his rehab assignment. The 28-year-old right-hander should be ready to make both his Mariners and season debut by early June, and he'll likely operate as a multi-inning reliever in Seattle's bullpen once he's fully up to speed.

Bazardo threw a scoreless ninth inning in Tuesday's 9-1 win over the Nationals. He struck out one.

Bazardo is searching for some consistency, as he's given up at least one run in three of his seven appearances this month. His longest scoreless stretch of the season is just five outings, which he accomplished from April 6 through April 15, but he's still kept his ratios in check with a 4.21 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 21:11 K:BB over 25.2 innings. However, Bazardo owns zero holds or saves in 2025, and he'll likely remain primarily in a middle-relief role going forward.

Green (1-1) took the loss in Tuesday's 2-0 defeat to Texas after allowing two runs (one earned) on two hits and one walk in one inning. He struck out one.

Although it was a non-save situation, Green was unable to keep the game tied in a high-leverage spot. It's still been a strong month for the veteran right-hander, who owns a 2.61 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 10:3 K:BB over 10.1 innings in May. The Blue Jays have displayed continued trust in Jeff Hoffman as their closer while he works through his struggles, but they may have to rely more heavily on Green in high-leverage situations until Yimi Garcia (shoulder) returns to the fold.

Garcia picked up the save in Tuesday's 2-0 win over Toronto by throwing a scoreless ninth inning. He struck out two.

Garcia's usage is becoming noteworthy -- he worked the ninth inning in his second straight outing in place of Luke Jackson, who was called upon for the eighth frame Tuesday. Given Jackson's struggles this season -- he has a 4.86 ERA and 1.56 WHIP through 16.2 innings -- it wouldn't be surprising to see Garcia receive additional save opportunities in the future. Although the Rangers' bullpen could remain a committee approach as it pertains to ninth-inning work, Garcia sports a 2.35 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 21:8 K:BB while converting three of his four save chances over 23 frames.

Vest allowed a run on two hits over one inning during Tuesday's win against the Giants. He struck out one batter and earned a save.

Vest served up an RBI double to Wilmer Flores in the ninth frame but retired the next three batters to finish off the 3-1 win. It was Vest's seventh save in nine chances. He had thrown 12 innings in May without giving up an earned run before Tuesday, and he still owns a strong 1.73 ERA across 26 frames this season.

Kelly was optioned to Triple-A Worcester on Tuesday.

Kelly got the call Sunday and gave up two runs (one earned) on one hit and one walk with zero strikeouts in two innings against the Orioles. Richard Fitts (pectoral) was activated in a corresponding move.

Penrod (elbow) was activated from the 60-day injured list Tuesday and optioned to Triple-A Worcester, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Penrod opened the year on the IL with a left elbow UCL sprain and he was activated after one scoreless rehab appearance Saturday in the Florida Complex League. The 27-year-old lefty will knock some rust off at Triple-A before potentially being an option in the majors later this summer.