MLB Player News

Martinez is expected to be the Diamondbacks' primary closer after the team placed A.J. Puk (elbow) on the 15-day injured list Saturday.

Puk will undergo an MRI when the team returns to Arizona following its road series against the Cubs. Martinez, who had been sharing closing duties with Puk, should become the main option in the ninth inning but could cede some save opportunities once Kevin Ginkel (shoulder) is activated. Martinez has not allowed a run while striking out 10 and walking one over seven innings.

Bednar allowed two hits and struck out two in a scoreless ninth inning Saturday against the Guardians.

Bednar was recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis on Saturday and immediately made an appearance. He entered the game with the Pirates down 3-0 in the final inning and struck out the final two batters he faced after allowing consecutive singles. Dennis Santana has performed adequately as Pittsburgh's closer, but Bednar should work his way back into high-leverage work if he pitches well.

Walker gave up a hit in a scoreless ninth inning to earn the save in Saturday's 3-2 win over the Angels. He did not strike out or walk a batter.

The right-hander allowed the tying run to reach on a one-out single by Jorge Soler and fell behind the next batter 3-0, but Walker escaped with his seventh consecutive scoreless appearance. He's converted all five of his save chances this year, and the only run Walker has allowed all season came Opening Day in Cincinnati.

Iglesias recorded one strikeout and didn't allow a baserunner in a scoreless ninth inning to earn the save in Saturday's 4-3 win over the Twins.

Iglesias was handed a one-run advantage and needed just 11 pitches to retire the side in order. The 35-year-old closer has already given up three home runs through eight outings this year -- nearly matching 2024's regular-season total of four homers allowed -- but he's otherwise pitched well and has a 3.38 ERA and 8:1 K:BB while going 4-for-5 in save chances.

Romano gave up six runs on six hits (two home runs) while recording two outs Saturday against the Marlins.

Romano was brought in while the Phillies nursed a comfortable 11-4 lead in the ninth inning, but he managed to let the Marlins right back into the game. He gave up consecutive hits before Dane Myers lifted a three-run homer, and Graham Pauley then doubled to plate another run. Finally, Liam Hicks tagged Romano for a two-run blast before the right-hander was mercifully pulled. Romano's showing could drop him even further down Philadelphia's bullpen pecking order, as he's now allowed 13 runs over his first 7.2 innings of the year.

Finnegan earned the save in Saturday's 12-11 win against the Rockies, allowing one run on one hit and one walk with three strikeouts in the ninth inning.

Finnegan was called upon to protect a 12-10 lead in the ninth inning and made things interesting, surrendering an RBI triple to Mickey Moniak before ending the game with a strikeout. It was the second time through eight outings this year that Finnegan has been scored upon. On the year, the 33-year-old is a perfect 7-for-7 in save chances with a 2.08 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 11:5 K:BB across 8.2 innings.

Diaz earned the save after striking out two batters in a scoreless ninth inning to close out Saturday's 3-0 win over the Cardinals. He did not issue a walk.

Diaz needed 19 pitches (12 strikes) to get through the ninth inning, but he struck out the first two batters he faced before forcing a Yohel Pozo groundout to end the game. Diaz has converted on all five of his save opportunities this season and has struck out six batters without allowing a run over his last three innings of work.

Alvarado recorded the final out of Saturday's 11-10 win over the Marlins to pick up his fifth save of the season.

The Phillies took an 11-4 lead into the ninth inning, but Jordan Romano served up two homers en route to giving up six runs in two-thirds of an inning, forcing Alvarado into the game to clean up the mess. The southpaw needed just two pitches to get Xavier Edwards to line out to right field. Alvarado has been dominant to begin the season, going 5-for-5 in converting save chances while posting a 2.79 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 14:2 K:BB through 9.2 innings. While the Phillies have plenty of high-leverage options in the bullpen, Alvarado appears to have a lock on the closer job for the moment.

Holderman (knee) will start his rehab assignment with Triple-A Indianapolis on Saturday, Danny Demilio of PittsburghBaseballNow.com reports.

Holderman was placed on the 15-day injured list April 6 due to a right knee sprain. He was able to progress enough in his recovery to throw live batting practice, and he'll take the next step in his program by embarking on a rehab assignment. Holderman posted a 9.64 ERA and 2.14 WHIP across 4.2 innings before going on the IL.

The Pirates placed Mayza on the 15-day injured list Saturday due to a left shoulder lat muscle strain, Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Mayza may have picked up the injury in his last outing Friday against the Guardians, when he gave up two hits while striking out one over 1.2 frames. He will be eligible to return from the IL in early May, though how he responds to treatment over the next few days should determine the length of his rehab program. David Bednar was recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis in a corresponding move.