MLB Player News

Graterol earned a save against the Cubs on Sunday, allowing three hits and no walks over two scoreless innings.

Graterol got the call in the eighth inning with Los Angeles up by two runs. He gave up a two-out double but completed the scoreless frame on just 12 pitches. The Dodgers put up a pair of runs in the top of the ninth, and Graterol was allowed to finish off the win despite allowing two singles in the bottom of the frame. The save was his first of the season, and the outing extended his streak of appearances without allowing a run to six. Evan Phillips, who has two saves this season, wasn't with the team Sunday while on paternity leave, so it's not certain how manager Dave Roberts would have deployed the pair of relivers under normal circumstances. However, the team hasn't yet indicated a commitment to a full-time closer, so both Phillips and Graterol should be seen as candidates for ninth-inning duties for the time being.

Barnes struck out two over 1.2 perfect innings of relief in Sunday's loss to the Guardians.

Jesus Luzardo got the hook with one out in the fifth inning and his club down 4-1, but Barnes kept Miami in the game for another couple frames with an impressive performance. The veteran right-hander hasn't been in the high-leverage mix to begin the season, but that could soon change as he sports a 1.93 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 9:3 K:BB through 9.1 innings to begin his tenure with the Marlins.

McHugh (shoulder) is expected to be activated from the 15-day injured list Monday, MLB.com reports.

McHugh made a three-inning rehab appearance with High-A Rome this past Friday and has bounced back with no issues. He's been out since early April with right shoulder soreness but is ready to rejoin Atlanta's bullpen.

Minter (1-2) blew the save and took the loss Sunday, coughing up three runs on three hits and a walk in one inning as Atlanta fell 5-2 to the Astros. He struck out three.

It was a tough outing for the southpaw, who entered the game with the bases loaded and two outs in the top of the eighth inning and promptly allowed a two-run single to Yordan Alvarez to tie the game. Minter then gave up another run himself before getting the hook in the ninth and watching Danny Young allow two of the runners he inherited to cross the plate. Minter has been tagged for five runs over his last two appearances, sending his ERA soaring to 5.73, and he's just 4-for-6 in converting save chances. With Raisel Iglesias (shoulder) set to throw live batting practice Monday before embarking on a rehab assignment, Minter's stint as closer could be ending on a sour note.

Kinley (elbow) threw a 20-pitch bullpen session Tuesday, MLB.com reports.

The side session marked Kinley's first mound work since he underwent surgery last June to repair the flexor tendon in his right elbow. Though Kinley is said to be on track in his recovery from surgery, he's still likely to remain on the 60-day injured list for much of the first half of the season while he gradually builds up the intensity of his throwing workouts.

Smith (1-1) took the loss Sunday, giving up one run on one hit, one walk and one HBP in the eighth inning as the Mets fell 5-4 to the Giants. He struck out one.

Called in to keep the game tied at 4-4, Smith instead got tagged for a one-out double by Mike Yastrzemski that brought home the game-winning run. Despite the stumble, the right-hander has been solid in a high-leverage role for the Mets to begin the season, recording six holds in 11 appearances with a 2.79 ERA and 13:6 K:BB through 9.2 innings.

Alexander (2-0) pitched a perfect inning and earned the win in Sunday's 5-4 victory over the Mets.

Alexander got three groundouts to set down the Mets in order in the top of the eighth inning. A Mike Yastrzemski double put the Giants ahead in the bottom of the frame. Through 10 appearances, Alexander has allowed just two runs on eight hits over 9.1 innings, good for a 1.93 ERA and 0.86 WHIP. He has neither significant strikeout stuff nor a clear high-leverage role, but he's been effective when called upon. With Taylor Rogers shaky early in the season, there's a path for Alexander to serve as a key southpaw in the late innings.

Doval struck out two batters in a perfect inning to earn a save over the Mets on Sunday.

Doval quickly mowed through three Mets with just nine pitches to finish off the 5-4 victory. It was his first save chance since his season debut April 1. Doval lowered his ERA to 3.00 with a 13:5 K:BB across nine innings this season.

Hader struck out one batter in a perfect inning and earned a save over Arizona on Sunday.

Hader needed just 10 pitches to put the Diamondbacks down Sunday. The elite closer has been his usual self in 2023, posting a 0.82 ERA with a 16:4 K:BB through 11 frames. Hader has turned in six straight scoreless outings and has now converted each of his eight save opportunities.

Jameson (2-1) allowed three runs on three hits and three walks in one inning Sunday, striking out one and taking a loss against the Padres.

Jameson needed 43 pitches to get through a disastrous first inning and didn't even get the opportunity to go back out. The Padres batted around the lineup, and most of the damage came on Matt Carpenter's two-run double. Prior to Sunday's outing, Jameson had allowed just four runs through 16 innings this season. He saw his ERA jump from 2.25 to 3.71 alongside a 16:12 K:BB. Jameson's next outing is currently scheduled to be in Colorado.