MLB Player News

Varland earned the save Tuesday against the Pirates, allowing one hit and one walk with one strikeout in a scoreless ninth inning.

Curiously, manager Blake Butera called Varland's number again for a second straight save opportunity after he pitched a clean ninth inning against the Brewers to pick up his first career save Sunday. Prior to Sunday, Clayton Beeter had recorded both of Washington's saves. Beeter, however, recorded the final two outs of the bottom of the eighth Tuesday before Varland got the ball to open the ninth with a 5-4 lead. It appears as if Butera may be willing to use both pitchers in save situations moving forward. Varland has a 4.50 ERA and 7:3 K:BB through his first six innings.

Fairbanks (0-1) blew the save and took the loss during Tuesday's game against Atlanta. He allowed three runs on three hits while striking out one batter across one inning.

The Marlins brought out Fairbanks for the bottom of the eighth while holding a 5-3 lead. He retired two of the first three batters he faced before loading the bases, and he was unable to get out of the frame unscathed after yielding a bases-clearing double to Dominic Smith. Fairbanks collected a save in two of his first three outings of the season while striking out five batters across three innings. However, he has allowed three earned runs in each of his last two appearances. If Fairbanks can't figure out his command, then that might force the Marlins look to other closing options out of the bullpen such as Michael Petersen, Tyler Phillips, Calvin Faucher or Anthony Bender.

Lopez did not factor into Tuesday's decision against the Marlins, allowing four runs (three earned) on five hits and three walks while striking out six across five innings.

Lopez was back in the rotation for Atlanta after serving his five-game suspension. He got off to a rough start by allowing four runs through the first two innings, but he settled in to keep the Marlins off the board for the rest of his outing. Lopez generated only five whiffs on 96 pitches (53 strikes) but struck out five of the last 10 batters he faced. Through four starts, Lopez has a 2.18 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 19:8 K:BB over 20.2 innings. His next start is tentatively slated for this weekend on the road against the Phillies.

Iglesias earned the save against the Marlins on Tuesday, striking out two batters in a perfect ninth inning.

Atlanta's three-run eighth inning gave the team a 6-5 lead heading to the ninth, prompting the call for Iglesias to close things out. He needed just 10 pitches (seven strikes) to secure the win for his team, striking out the first two batters he faced before getting Graham Pauley to fly out to center field. Iglesias has collected a save in three of his last four outings and has yet to yield a run across 6.2 innings this season.

The Padres placed Pivetta on the 15-day injured list Tuesday due to right elbow inflammation.

In a corresponding move Tuesday, the Padres recalled right-handed reliever Alek Jacob from Triple-A El Paso. Pivetta suffered the injury during his latest start against the Rockies on Sunday, when he exited in the fourth inning. Though the Padres are labeling Pivetta's injury as inflammation, he could be sent in for further tests as the team looks to establish a timeline for his return.

The Padres recalled Jacob from Triple-A El Paso on Tuesday.

In a corresponding move Tuesday, the Padres placed Nick Pivetta (elbow) on the 15-day injured list, retroactive to April 13. Jakob began the 2026 season with Triple-A El Paso, where he has notched a 0.00 ERA and 0.99 WHIP through 7.1 innings across five appearances.

The Mets placed Gerber on the 15-day injured list Tuesday with a right finger blister.

Gerber struck out five batters across two shutout innings during his season debut Monday against the Dodgers, but a blister will now keep him sidelined for at least a couple of weeks. Austin Warren was recalled from Triple-A Syracuse to fill the open bullpen spot.

The Mets recalled Warren from Triple-A Syracuse on Tuesday.

With Joey Gerber (finger) headed to the injured list, Warren will join the big-league roster to fill the open spot in New York's bullpen. The 30-year-old righty allowed just one earned run over 9.1 innings with the Mets last season but finished with a 5.16 ERA and 1.42 WHIP over 52.1 frames in Triple-A. He's off to a much better start this year (1.23 ERA through 7.1 IP) but will still likely be limited to middle relief while in the majors.

Stewart (shoulder) is beginning a rehab assignment with Single-A Ontario on Tuesday.

Tuesday's action will be Stewart's first in a game since his short rehab assignment in September. Seemingly on pace in his recovery as of Tuesday, the right-hander may join the Dodgers' bullpen before the end of the month.

The Cubs recalled Little from Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday.

Little boasts a 2.80 ERA with 44 strikeouts over 35.1 innings at the big-league level, but he's also issued 28 walks. Those control problems remained present in his first five outings with Iowa, as he had a 9:10 K:BB over 7.2 frames. It's unlikely Little will be trusted with high-leverage innings, but the Cubs were in need of fresh bullpen arms.