MLB Player News

Alvarado tossed a perfect ninth inning to earn the save in Sunday's 8-7 win over the Dodgers.

Alvarado faced the top of the Dodgers' order in the ninth and needed just 10 pitches to lock down his second save of the season. The southpaw has been sharp, posting a 1.80 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 10:2 K:BB over five innings. With Jordan Romano pitching in the seventh, Alvarado appears to be the preferred option for save opportunities at the moment.

Finnegan earned the save in Sunday's 5-4 win over the Diamondbacks, tossing a scoreless ninth inning while allowing one hit and striking out one.

Finnegan was called upon to protect a 5-4 lead in the ninth and worked around a Corbin Carroll double to secure his second save in as many days. The closer has now converted all three of his save opportunities this season, posting a 2.25 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 3:3 K:BB across four innings.

Diaz picked up the save in Sunday's 2-1 win against the Blue Jays, pitching a clean inning with a strikeout.

The right-hander flamethrower collected his 227th career save, smoothly retiring the side on just 10 pitches. The 15.8 percent walk rate Diaz posted in the Grapefruit League looks like an anomaly, as he is yet to issue a free pass across his first four scoreless innings this season while punching out six.

Manager Terry Francona said Sunday that Diaz (hamstring) will make at least a couple more appearances on his rehab assignment before being reinstated from the 15-day injured list, Charlie Goldsmith of the Dayton Daily News reports.

The right-hander began the rehab stint with Triple-A Louisville on Friday and delivered a scoreless frame, but the Reds want to see him get a few outings in the minors before making his season debut in the majors. Diaz remains the favorite to close games once activated, though he could see lower-leverage chances early on to ease him into the role.

The Padres optioned Cruz to Triple-A El Paso on Sunday.

Cruz was unlikely to be available for at least a few days after tossing 2.2 innings and 68 pitches in relief in Saturday's 7-1 loss to the Cubs, so the Padres elected to swap him off the active roster for a fresh bullpen arm in right-hander Logan Gillaspie, whose contract was selected from Triple-A. San Diego designated left-hander Tom Cosgrove for assignment to open up a spot on the 40-man roster for Gillaspie.

The Padres selected Gillaspie's contract from Triple-A El Paso prior to Sunday's game against the Cubs.

Before being non-tendered by the Padres in November, Gillaspie made nine appearances at the big-league level in 2024, logging a 7.15 ERA and 1.32 WHIP over 11.1 innings. He'll likely be ticketed for a middle-relief role as he heads back to San Diego. The Padres designated left-hander Tom Cosgrove for assignment to clear a spot on the 40-man roster for the 27-year-old Gillaspie.

The Brewers recalled Wolfram from Triple-A Nashville ahead of Sunday's game against the Reds.

With the Brewers placing lefty Nestor Cortes (elbow) on the 15-day injured list in a corresponding move, Wolfram will move up to the big leagues for the first time in his career. The 28-year-old lefty turned in a 3.34 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 61:26 K:BB over 56.2 innings at Triple-A Round Rock in the Rangers organization in 2024, but he hadn't been as sharp through his two relief appearances at Nashville this season, allowing two earned runs on one hit and four walks over three innings. He'll likely work in middle relief during his stint with Milwaukee.

Bender walked one and struck out one in a scoreless ninth inning Saturday during a 4-0 win over Atlanta.

While it wasn't a save situation, it was still another sign that the right-hander is viewed as the best high-leverage option in the bullpen right now by the Marlins. Calvin Faucher, Bender's main competition for closing duties, recorded the final two outs of the eighth Saturday. Bender hasn't given up a run in four appearances to begin the season, but his 2:2 K:BB in 3.2 innings has been far from dominant.

The Pirates recalled Shugart from Triple-A Indianapolis on Sunday.

He'll join the big-league bullpen as a replacement for Colin Holderman (knee), who was placed on the 15-day injured list Sunday. Shugart, who made his big-league debut with Boston in 2024, is likely to work in lower-leverage spots.

The Pirates placed Holderman on the 15-day injured list Sunday due to a right knee sprain, Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Pittsburgh recalled right-hander Chase Shugart from Triple-A Indianapolis to replace Holderman in the bullpen. After the Pirates surprisingly optioned David Bednar to Triple-A on Tuesday, Holderman looked like a candidate to factor into the mix for saves, but his knee injury likely leaves Dennis Santana as the top choice for any closing situations that emerge in the short term. Holderman had struggled through his first five appearances before getting injured, yielding five earned runs on six hits and four walks over 4.2 innings.