MLB Player News

Ashcraft blew the save Thursday against Atlanta after allowing two runs and two hits and one walk in the ninth inning. He struck out one.

Closer Emilio Pagan worked each of Cincinnati's past two games, which opened the door for Ashcraft to receive his second save opportunity of the season. However, Ashcraft failed to convert in both instances, and he's given up six runs over his last seven outings after opening the season on a nine-inning scoreless streak. The right-hander owns a 2.95 ERA and 19:9 K:BB over 18.1 innings and should continue to see high-leverage work, but his shakier 1.36 WHIP could give manager Terry Francona some trepidation the next time he needs to choose an arm if/when Pagan is unavailable for a save situation.

Casparius will work in a relief role during the Dodgers' weekend series against the Diamondbacks, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Casparius worked in a bulk-relief role and earned a win after completing four innings against the Marlins on Monday. He was projected to start or work multiple innings again Sunday, though manager Dave Roberts suggested that Casparius would instead take on a more traditional relief role. Tony Gonsolin will start Sunday for Los Angeles.

Manager Torey Lovullo said Thursday that Puk is no longer feeling any symptoms in his left elbow, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.

Puk has been sidelined since April 19 due to a strained flexor tendon and was then shifted to the 60-day injured list May 1. While he'll still face an extended absence, it's a positive sign that he's no longer feeling significant pain in his elbow.

Milwaukee optioned Rodriguez to Triple-A Nashville on Thursday.

After giving up six earned runs in 3.1 innings of long relief in Wednesday's 9-1 loss to the Astros, Rodriguez was unlikely to be available out of the bullpen for the next few days, so Milwaukee will remove him from the 26-man active roster. Expect the team to call up another reliever from Triple-A in advance of Friday's series opener at Tampa Bay.

Martinez (shoulder) began a throwing program Tuesday and will pitch in Arizona Complex League games next, MLB.com reports.

The Diamondbacks are hopeful Martinez will be able to return at the end of his 15-day stint on the injured list. He had experienced diminished velocity in a couple of outings before being placed on the IL but imaging came back clean for any structural damage.

Graveman (back) allowed one hit over a scoreless inning for Triple-A Reno on Wednesday.

Graveman made his first rehab appearance for the Aces after throwing 1.1 innings for the Diamondbacks' affiliate in the Arizona Complex League. He's been on the 15-day injured since the start of the season after experiencing back discomfort during a bullpen session in early March. It's unclear how many innings the organization wants to see out of the right-hander, but Graveman could be activated from the 15-day injured list within the next week.

Pagan picked up the save Wednesday against Atlanta after allowing one hit in a scoreless ninth inning. He struck out two.

Pagan continues to pull away as Cincinnati's clear-cut closer at the moment. The right-hander has struggled with the long ball at times -- he's yielded three homers over 17.1 innings -- but he still has a 2.65 ERA to go with a sublime 0.63 WHIP and 20:4 K:BB. Pagan has successfully converted nine of his 11 save chances in 2025, and his grip on the closer's role is strengthening while Alexis Diaz resides in the minor leagues.

Sauer came away with the save in Wednesday's 10-1 win over the Marlins, allowing one run on one hit and one walk while striking out four across four innings.

The Dodgers needed only two pitchers Wednesday, with Landon Knack serving as the starter before Sauer relieved him to toss the final four innings. The right-hander's lone blemish came in the ninth frame on a sacrifice fly, but he finished the game with seven whiffs on 42 pitches (31 strikes) to register the first save of his major-league career. Sauer should continue to serve in the Dodgers' bullpen as a bulk reliever after Evan Phillips (forearm) was placed on the 15-day injured list, but the former made three starts with Triple-A Oklahoma City and is capable of stepping in as a spot starter.

Walker earned the save in Wednesday's 3-1 win over the Cubs, allowing one hit in a scoreless ninth inning.

Walker failed to convert a save in Tuesday's contest, allowing the Cubs to tie the game with two runs on a hit and two walks in the ninth inning. However, Walker was called upon to close out a two-run lead again Wednesday. He'd give up a leadoff hit to Carson Kelly before inducing a double-play ball off the bat of Justin Turner en route to his seventh save of the year. Walker's had a few tough outings early in the season, though he remains the preferred ninth-inning option for San Francisco. Overall, his ERA sits at 6.08 with a 1.35 WHIP and 15:4 K:BB across 13.1 innings.

The Dodgers recalled Sauer from Triple-A Oklahoma City on Wednesday.

Though he was optioned to Triple-A after tossing five innings of one-run ball while working in bulk relief in last Tuesday's win over the Marlins, Sauer was able to rejoin the Dodgers before the minimum 15 days lapsed because Los Angeles placed reliever Evan Phillips (forearm) on the injured list in a corresponding move. Los Angeles had an opening in its six-man rotation for Wednesday's game in Miami, but the Dodgers turned to Landon Knack to start rather than Sauer, who will be available in relief for the series finale.