MLB Player News

Pressly picked up a save against the Diamondbacks on Saturday, allowing two runs on four hits and one walk while striking out one batter over one inning.

Pressly had a cushy three-run lead to work with when he got the ball in the ninth inning, but the veteran righty nearly gave the game away. He allowed Arizona to pull to within a run before making an out when Eugenio Suarez tagged him for a two-run homer, and Arizona put the tying run on base when Gabriel Moreno followed with a single. Pressly managed to retire the next two batters, but he walked Ketel Marte, and then allowed Corbin Carroll to reach base on an infield single. However, Garrett Hampson made a baserunning blunder on the hit and was tagged out after reaching third base, allowing Pressly to escape with his first save as a Cub. He should have some leash given his veteran status, but if Pressly were to struggle for an extended period, Porter Hodge -- who saved nine games for Chicago last season -- would be waiting in the wings.

Halvorsen was perfect Saturday, striking out one without allowing a baserunner to secure a four-out save against the Rays.

Halvorsen averaged 99 mph on both his fastball and sinker, needing just 14 pitches to secure the Rockies' first save opportunity of the season. The 25-year-old impressed late in 2024 with a 1.46 ERA in 12.1 innings and made a strong case for more save chances with his sharp 2025 debut.

Santillan pitched the seventh inning Saturday to get his second hold in as many games. Emilio Pagan later got the save.

Santillan was brilliant Thursday in getting his first hold, striking out two batters. In this outing he gave up a single and didn't strike any batters out, but got out of the inning by inducing a double-play grounder. He's in the mix for saves with Alexis Diaz (hamstring) sidelined, but Emilio Pagan may be the top fill-in option after securing the save Saturday.

Pagan pitched a perfect ninth inning Saturday against the Giants to get the save in a 3-2 victory.

Pagan didn't strike out any Giants batters, and as a matter of fact the Giants only struck out once as a team. It's noteworthy that Tony Santillan pitched the seventh and Graham Ashcraft pitched the eighth to set up the save chance for Pagan.

Phillips (shoulder) faced live hitters at Dodger Stadium on Friday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Friday marked the fourth time Phillips has pitched to hitters after he got a late start to spring training while battling a shoulder injury that kept him out of the World Series last year. The veteran reliever is currently on the injured list, but given his progress, he could be ready to join the big-league bullpen when first eligible April 11. Phillips led the Dodgers in saves during each of the past two regular seasons but is unlikely to receive more than an occasional save chance this year with Tanner Scott now in the fold and Kirby Yates, Michael Kopech (shoulder) and Blake Treinen all having experience pitching in the ninth inning as well.

Scott was charged with a blown save in Friday's 8-5 extra-inning win over the Tigers, giving up a run on three hits in an inning of work.

Called in to protect a 3-2 lead in the top of the ninth inning, Scott gave up an RBI single to Manuel Margot with two outs to tie the score, and then nearly served up a game-winning double to Riley Greene, only for Margot to stumble coming around third and get thrown out at the plate on a play that required video review. Scott has been handed two of the Dodgers' first four save chances of the season, with Blake Treinen getting Thursday's opportunity after Alex Vesia closed out Game 2 of the Tokyo Series.

Suarez struck out one in a perfect ninth inning Friday to record his second save of the season in a 4-3 win over Atlanta.

The 34-year-old right-hander has wiped the slate clean after a bumpy spring training, picking up saves in each of the Padres' first two games without allowing a run or a hit. Suarez finished fourth in the majors last season with 36 saves in a breakout campaign, and he appears to be on track to be among the league leaders again in 2025.

Diaz struck out one batter in a perfect ninth inning Friday to pick up his first save of the season in a 3-1 win over the Astros.

Diaz looked like his usual self Friday, striking out the first batter he faced and finishing the frame on 15 pitches while touching 98 mph with his fastball. There's no doubt that he's still locked in as the Mets' closer, and he should have plenty more chances to rack up saves over the next 160 contests.

Bednar (save) picked up the save against the Marlins on Friday in a 4-3 win but allowed two runs on one hit and one walk. He recorded one strikeout.

Bednar took the loss on Opening Day for Pittsburgh and nearly cost his club again. The 30-year-old entered the ninth inning with a comfortable 4-1 lead but immediately walked Matt Mervis before Otto Lopez took the first pitch he saw and redirected it 418 feet over the center field wall to get the Marlins within one run. Bednar then retired the next three batters, preserving the 4-3 win. It's indeed been a rough start to 2025 for the two-time All-Star, who struggled to a 5.77 ERA last season. If he can't find his way, he may be in jeopardy of losing save opportunities.

Vodnik (0-1) allowed a solo home run over one inning and took the loss Friday against the Rays as the Rockies fell 3-2. He struck out one.

Vodnik is a candidate to close games out for the Rockies, but his 2025 debut will do him no favors in winning that role. Outfielder Kameron Misner jumped on the first pitch he saw from Vodnik and sent it over the fence in right for a walk-off winner for the Rays in their first game at Steinbrenner Field. Vodnik had nine saves in 2024 but also blew six save chances.