MLB Player News

Flexen (3-0) allowed an unearned run on one hit across two innings of relief to earn the win in Tuesday's 4-3 extra-innings victory over Colorado. He struck out one.

Flexen worked the 10th and 11th innings, and outside of allowing an automatic runner to score in the 11th, he managed to keep the Rockies at bay. The veteran righty has still yet to allow an earned run through seven appearances this season, allowing him to build trust as a reliable long-relief option out of Chicago's bullpen. Flexen worked mostly as a starter last year with the White Sox, though he managed just a 3-15 record overall.

Ginkel (0-3) allowed five runs on four hits and one walk while striking out one over one-third of an inning, taking the loss Tuesday against Pittsburgh.

Ginkel entered after seven strong innings from Corbin Burnes, and Ginkel simply didn't have it. This was the second time this season he's given up five runs in an appearance. The right-hander, who was on the injured list for the first month, initially had issues coming off the IL but appeared to have righted himself. Ginkel threw five consecutive scoreless outings before picking up losses in his last two appearances. He has a 12.60 ERA and 2.10 WHIP over 10 innings this season.

Bednar struck out two in a perfect inning to earn the save in Tuesday's 9-6 win over the Diamondbacks.

Bednar has earned three saves over his last four appearances. He had allowed a baserunner in each of his last three outings before Tuesday's clean inning. The right-hander is still on shaky ground, as he's been scored on in four of his 11 appearances in May, allowing five runs over 9.2 innings with a 15:2 K:BB. Overall, he has a 4.86 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 24:5 K:BB through 16.2 innings in the majors this season, and he's added six saves and three holds.

Estrada allowed a hit and struck out two over 1.1 scoreless innings to earn the save in Tuesday's 8-6 win over the Marlins.

The Padres' bullpen was a little thin, as all of Robert Suarez, Jason Adam and Adrian Morejon had pitched Sunday and Monday. Estrada took care of business in a rare chance to close out a game, earning his first save of the season to go with 10 holds and two blown saves. He's had a bit of a bumpy stretch in May, allowing five runs (three earned) over 6.2 innings across his last eight appearances. Overall, he has a 2.59 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 37:7 K:BB through 24.1 innings this season, making him a trusted part of the setup crew.

Kinley (0-2) took the loss after allowing two runs (one earned) on two hits and two walks in 1.1 innings during Tuesday's 4-3 extra-innings loss to the Cubs. He struck out one.

Kinley's struggles on the mound continue, as he now owns an abysmal 10.03 ERA, 2.14 WHIP and 9:11 K:BB over his last 11.2 innings. The 34-year-old right-hander has a lone hold and just one save in two opportunities on the campaign, so he remains well behind Zach Agnos and Seth Halvorsen in Colorado's bullpen hierarchy. The recently returned Victor Vodnik also looms as an option in high-leverage situations.

Helsley allowed a hit and struck out two batters over one inning while earning a save against the Orioles on Tuesday.

Helsley worked around a two-out single by Ramon Urias to finish off the 7-4 victory. It was Helsley's seventh straight save conversion, and he's now 11-for-13 on the year. He lowered his ERA to 3.32 with a 21:11 K:BB through 19 frames. Helsley has posted a 3.00 ERA with seven saves in May.

Cabrera signed a major-league contract with the Cubs on Tuesday, Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Cabrera elected free agency Tuesday after being DFA'd by the Mets on Saturday, and he'll now attempt to carve out a role for himself in the Cubs' bullpen. The 28-year-old southpaw gave up three earned runs in 7.2 innings with the Mets but owned a 7.88 ERA through eight innings with their Triple-A affiliate.

The Rockies reinstated Vodnik (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list Tuesday.

The right-hander had been sidelined by shoulder inflammation for more than a month, but he's back on the active roster after a two-outing rehab assignment with Double-A Hartford. Vodnik recorded one save with a 4.50 ERA, 1.62 WHIP and 8:6 K:BB across eight innings prior to the injury and should be in the high-leverage mix for Colorado. However, Zach Agnos and Seth Halvorsen appear to be the current favorites for save opportunities.

Thielbar, who retired two batters in Monday's 3-1 win over the Rockies without allowing a run to record a hold, now has a 2.37 ERA and 1.00 WHIP through 22 appearances this season.

Thielbar has pitched well in his first year with the Cubs, and he's now gone eight straight appearances without allowing a run. The veteran lefty struggled last season in Minnesota, posting a 5.32 ERA and 1.56 WHIP across 59 games, but his 2025 figures are closer to his career marks of a 3.32 ERA and 1.18 WHIP. Thielbar should remain a key member of Chicago's bullpen, particularly due to his success against left-handed hitters. Batters from the same side are only hitting .071 against Thielbar this year.

Morgan retired both batters he faced in Monday's victory versus Miami.

Morgan was called up from Triple-A El Paso on Sunday and made his major-league debut one day later. The 25-year-old right-hander entered in the eighth inning and needed just six pitches (four of which were strikes) to retire the two batters he faced. Morgan has posted a 6.91 ERA while allowing five homers over 14.1 frames across two minor-league levels this season, but his impressive 30:2 K:BB is likely what led to San Diego's decision to bring him up, at least temporarily, to provide some support for the big club's bullpen.