MLB Player News

Edwards earned a save against the Rockies on Saturday, allowing one run on three hits and striking out one batter over one inning.

Kyle Finnegan opened the season as Washington's presumptive closer, but he was used in the eighth inning Saturday with Washington holding a five-run lead. After Anthony Banda allowed three baserunners without getting an out in the ninth, Edwards was brought in to shut the door in a save situation. The right-hander didn't look great, allowing an inherited runner to score as well as having a run charged to himself while surrendering three hits, but he was able to strike out Kris Bryant to close things out. It remains to be seen if Finnegan's recent blowup has dropped him out of the closer role -- if that's the case, Edwards could see more ninth-inning opportunities despite his shaky save Saturday.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Friday that Phillips will be given ninth-inning opportunities more often than the team's over relievers, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

While Roberts didn't directly name Phillips the team's full-time closer, it certainly appears that the right-hander is in line for something close to that role. Phillips has earned two of Los Angeles' three saves so far, with the other being a three-inning save by Andre Jackson in a rout of Arizona. Brusdar Graterol -- among others -- could still see an occasional save chance, but for fantasy purposes, Phillips is the Dodgers reliever to roster. He's yet to give up a run while allowing only one baserunner through three innings this season.

Through four appearances this season, Vesia has given up four earned runs on eight hits over three innings.

Vesia was one of the Dodgers' best relievers in both 2021 and 2022, posting a collective 2.19 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 133:46 K:BB over 94.1 innings. It's been a different story for the southpaw so far in 2023, as he's given up at least one run in three of his four appearances and has yet to get through an outing without giving up at least one hit. Vesia was thought to be a contender for save chances in Los Angeles' closer committee when the season opened, but he's unlikely to see any such chances until he gets things straightened out.

Weathers will make his next start Tuesday on the road against the Mets, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

Weathers pitched well in his season debut April 3, allowing two runs over five innings in a no-decision against Arizona. The left-hander was initially thought to be in line to make his next start Monday, but he'll instead flip spots with Yu Darvish, who will pitch the opener of the series against the Mets while Weathers takes the mound Tuesday. After this upcoming outing, Weathers will likely head to the bullpen or to Triple-A, with Joe Musgrove (toe) in line to rejoin San Diego's rotation.

Hader allowed a hit and a walk in a scoreless ninth inning to earn the save in Saturday's 4-1 win over Atlanta. He struck out three.

Hader struggled with his command early and put runners on first and second with no outs, but he rebounded to strike out the next three batters. The left-hander has yet to give up a run through four outings this season and has an 8:1 K:BB. Hader has thrown 46 pitches over the past two days, so manager Bob Melvin could turn to Luis Garcia, Steven Wilson or Tim Hill should a save situation arise Sunday.

Robertson picked up the save Saturday against Miami, striking out one in a perfect inning.

Robertson got Nick Fortes to go down swinging, and he then retired Jon Berti and Jazz Chisholm on groundouts to cement the victory for the Mets. The right-hander has his second save of the season, and he hasn't allowed a run over four innings in his four appearances.

Diaz (0-1) took the loss in Saturday's 3-2 loss against the Phillies. He allowed three runs on two hits and one walk while striking out three over one-plus inning.

Manager David Bell called upon Diaz in the eighth inning with the top of the Phillies' order due up, and the right-hander struck out the side. However, Diaz looked like a completely different pitcher in the ninth as he went for the two-inning save, allowing two singles, a walk and uncorking a wild pitch before getting the hook. Technically, Ian Gibaut gets the blown save since he allowed the walkoff single. Diaz was well rested, having last pitched April 2. While this won't affect Diaz's standing in the Cincinnati bullpen, Bell may think twice next time about going to the 26-year-old for multiple frames.

Doval (0-1) took the loss Saturday against the Royals while allowing a run on a hit with one strikeout over an inning of work.

The run scored on a wild pitch in the top of the ninth inning, and it gives Doval his first loss of the season. The right-hander has struggled over his first three appearances, allowing a pair of runs in three innings. Doval should still continue to see the majority of save chances despite his slow start to the 2023 season, and it's important to note that Saturday's shaky outing was in a non-save situation.

Manaea did not factor into the decision Saturday, allowing one run on three hits and one walk over six innings in a 6-5 loss to the Royals. He struck out eight.

Manaea deserved better, but Ross Stripling and the San Francisco bullpen couldn't hold the lead after he exited. The only run Manaea allowed came in the sixth when he gave up a solo home run to Bobby Witt, and outside of that there was very little trouble for the 31-year-old southpaw. Manaea was making his first start of the year after throwing two ineffective innings of relief Monday against the White Sox, and he's forged a 4.50 ERA over his first eight frames of 2023.

Cabrera was recalled from Triple-A Memphis on Saturday, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

The 26-year-old missed out on the Cardinals' Opening Day roster but will join the MLB club Saturday with Packy Naughton (forearm) headed to the injured list. Cabrera made 39 appearances for St. Louis last season and had a 4.63 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 32:30 K:BB over 44.2 innings.