MLB Player News

Hudson picked up a save against the Diamondbacks on Saturday, pitching a scoreless ninth inning during which he allowed one hit and struck out two.

Hudson found himself in immediate trouble when Ketel Marte led off the bottom of the ninth inning with a double, but the veteran reliever escaped with the save by following with a groundout and two strikeouts. Hudson was granted the save opportunity because regular closer Craig Kimbrel threw 26 pitches Friday and realized that his body "just didn't feel good" Saturday, per Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times. Kimbrel is expected to be available Sunday, but with three saves in three opportunities on the campaign, Hudson has shown that he can be an effective option when Kimbrel is unavailable.

Bednar saved Saturday's 4-2 win against the Padres, striking out one in a perfect ninth inning.

After Pittsburgh took the lead in the top of the ninth inning, Bednar entered for the bottom of the frame and retired the side in order on 12 pitches. It was a nice rebound from Tuesday's loss and the 27-year-old has compiled a strong May that features seven successful save opportunities, a 0.63 ERA, 0.49 WHIP and 17:1 K:BB in 14.1 innings.

Thompson (5-0) earned the win over the White Sox on Saturday, allowing one run on five hits and one walk over five innings. He struck out four.

As has been the case throughout the season so far, Thompson was stingy on the mound against the Cubs' crosstown rivals, allowing only one run over five frames. The right-hander has started in only three of his 11 appearances, but he's logged at least 2.2 innings in every outing and has yet to allow more than two earned runs. In addition to a perfect 5-0 record, Thompson has posted a 1.58 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 35:11 K:BB over 40 innings.

Santillan allowed two hits and a walk with two strikeouts in 1.1 innings to earn the save in Saturday's 3-2 win over the Giants.

Santillan escaped a two-on, two-out jam in the eighth inning with little trouble before putting more traffic on base in the ninth. He was able to get a little help from his defense, as Joey Bart was thrown out at home on a two-out Wilmer Flores single that would have counted as the game-tying run. Santillan has not given up a run in his last five appearances, logging six scoreless inning with two saves, two holds and a 4:4 K:BB in that span. For the season, he's posted a 4.41 ERA, 1.47 WHIP, 18:9 K:BB, three saves, four holds and a blown save across 16.1 innings. As long as he's pitching well, the 25-year-old should remain in the Reds' high-leverage mix as part of a closer committee.

Hughes was sent back to Triple-A Iowa on Saturday, Tim Stebbins of NBC Sports Chicago reports.

Hughes spent 11 days on the roster as a replacement player after Jason Heyward landed on the COVID-19 injured list. He looked good in five relief appearances, giving up two runs over seven innings while striking out nine batters and walking just one, but he'll return to the minors for now and await his next opportunity.

Rogers picked up a save against the Pirates on Friday with a perfect inning of work.

Rogers was tasked with protecting a one-run lead and succeeded with ease, retiring all three batters he faced on a combined 11 pitches. The southpaw is 17-for-18 in save chances this season and has allowed only one earned run over 20.1 innings. He leads MLB in saves and is on pace to shatter his career-best mark of 30 set in 2019 while with the Twins.

Manaea completed seven innings against Pittsburgh on Friday, allowing three runs on four hits and three walks while striking out five. He did not factor in the decision.

Manaea struggled a bit with his control, tying a season high with three walks and throwing 62 of 98 pitches for strikes. However, the left-hander was able to go deep into the game and notch his seventh quality start over nine outings this season. Manaea is expected to make his next start in Milwaukee late next week.

Holton was optioned to Triple-A Reno on Saturday.

Holton tossed two scoreless innings as a reliever against the Dodgers on Friday, but he'll head back to the minors a day later. Kyle Nelson was reinstated from the COVID-19 injured list as part of a corresponding move.

Kahnle (forearm) was transferred to the 60-day injured list Saturday.

Kahnle has been on the injured list since May 17 due to right forearm inflammation, and he's in the midst of a shutdown. The Dodgers haven't yet revealed a timetable for the right-hander's return, but his move to the 60-day IL signals that he'll likely be sidelined until at least after the All-Star break. In spite of Kahnle's lengthy absence, manager Dave Roberts is optimistic that the 32-year-old will return to game action at some point in 2022.

Nelson was activated off the COVID-19 injured list Saturday.

Nelson spent the last 10 days on the injured list but is ready to return without a rehab assignment. His return will be a boost to the Diamondbacks' bullpen, as he owns an excellent 1.23 ERA over 14.2 innings and has struck out 16 batters while walking just two.