MLB Player News

Duffey (1-0) pitched a perfect inning and earned the win over the Angels on Friday.

The Royals saved their offense for the ninth inning in a 2-1 win, and Duffey ended up benefiting after he prevented the Halos from adding to their lead in the eighth. He's kept runs off the board in four of his six major-league appearances this season. The right-hander has a 4.05 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 8:5 K:BB over 6.2 innings while adding one hold, though he's primarily served as a low-leverage option.

Estevez (0-2) blew the save and took the loss Friday against Kansas City. He allowed two runs on three hits and no walks with one strikeout over one inning.

Estevez allowed a lead-taking, two-run homer to Adam Frazier in the ninth inning to blow his third save on the year. Remarkably, the Angels closer has yet to issue a free pass this season after posting a shaky 11.0 percent walk rate in 2023, but he has allowed three homers over 11.2 innings, leading to a 6.17 ERA. Despite the ugly ERA, Estevez's hold on the ninth-inning role seems to be fairly secure thanks in large part to a career-high 30.4 percent strikeout rate.

Schreiber picked up the save Friday against the Angels. He pitched a shutout inning, allowing one hit with no strikeouts.

Schreiber collected his first save of the season and the 10th of his career. Royals closer James McArthur had worked back-to-back nights on Tuesday and Wednesday, so manager Matt Quatraro could have been giving him extra rest Friday night. However, McArthur also blew saves Sunday and Tuesday and has seen his ERA jump from 2.87 to 4.15 in the last week, so his hold on the ninth-inning role could be slipping.

Holmes earned the save in Friday's 2-0 win over the Rays, working around a hit and two walks while striking out three in a scoreless ninth inning.

The Rays loaded the bases against Holmes in the ninth before the right-hander struck out Jonny DeLuca for the final out. Holmes has yet to allow an earned run this year, pitching to a 1.04 WHIP with 21:3 K:BB over 17.1 innings. He's up to 12 saves, tied with Kyle Finnegan and Robert Suarez for the league lead.

Leasure threw 1.1 shutout innings and earned a save against Cleveland on Friday.

Leasure fired 12 of 16 pitches for strikes to quickly finish off the 6-3 victory. He's converted two of his three save chances this season, with both conversions coming in his last six appearances. Leasure lowered his ERA to 2.20 with an 11:6 K:BB through 16.1 innings. Michael Kopech was seemingly unavailable after pitching Wednesday and Thursday.

Hader earned the save in Friday's 5-2 win over the Tigers, working around a walk while striking out two in a scoreless inning.

Hader's allowed just one earned run over his last 7.1 innings while improving to 5-for-6 in converting save chances. After a shaky start to the year, the left-hander's lowered his ERA to 5.29 with a 1.35 WHIP and 27:8 K:BB across 17 innings.

Lynch was optioned to Triple-A Omaha on Friday, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Lynch will return to Omaha after tossing five scoreless innings in a start Sunday against the Rangers and two perfect relief innings Thursday against the Angels. With Alec Marsh (elbow) being activated from the IL on Friday, Lynch was the odd man out in Kansas City. The left-hander has struggled to a 5.86 ERA over 27.2 innings in six starts at Triple-A this season and he'll look to find a groove ahead of his next big-league opportunity.

Saucedo (knee) underwent an MRI on Friday which was encouraging, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.

Saucedo was placed on the 15-day injured list with a hyperextended right knee Wednesday, and after Friday's imaging, the Mariners are hoping he will return to the bullpen when he's first eligible to be activated May 23. The left-hander might need to make a rehab appearance before being activated.

General manager Justin Hollander said Friday that Santos (lat) will likely remain out until July, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.

Santos has primarily been throwing from flat ground at the Mariners' complex in Arizona. He will now move his rehab from Arizona to Seattle, though it remains unclear how far away the 24-year-old righty is from throwing off a mound. Santos has been on the IL all season due to a strained right lat.

Brash underwent Tommy John surgery Wednesday, Shannon Drayer of Seattle Sports 710 AM reports.

Brash injured his right elbow during spring training and was pulled off his throwing program after suffering a setback in late April. He will now miss the remainder of the year as a result of his procedure, and the Mariners are hoping he can return by early June next season.