MLB Player News

Helsley struck out one in a perfect ninth inning against the Marlins on Thursday to earn his second save of the season.

After allowing a pair of runs in a blown save versus the Dodgers in his first outing this year, Helsley's now delivered three straight scoreless appearances while earning a pair of saves. Helsley should have a fairly firm grasp on the closing job in St. Louis after he went 14-for-19 in save chances with a 2.45 ERA and 52:17 K:BB last season.

Simpson (elbow) will begin a rehab assignment with Single-A Jupiter on Saturday, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

The left-handed reliever has been working his way back from an elbow issue and is finally ready to test himself in a game setting. Simpson missed all of spring training, so he'll likely require a handful of rehab appearances before becoming an option for the Marlins bullpen.

Harvey struck out four batters over 1.2 perfect innings to record his second hold of the season in Wednesday's win over the Pirates.

Entering the game with one out in the seventh inning, the right-hander carved up the heart of Pittsburgh's order, with a soft liner back to Harvey from Jack Suwinski being the only ball put into play against him. Harvey got tagged for two runs in his first appearance of the season but has settled down quickly after that, and he sports a 6:1 K:BB through 3.2 innings. Kyle Finnegan is 2-for-3 in save chances so far, but Harvey could be pushing for ninth-inning work before long if he keeps dominating.

Weems (illness) struck out a batter and worked around a walk while allowing no runs over two-thirds of an inning en route to notching his first hold of the season in Wednesday's 5-3 win over the Pirates.

Weems battled an illness earlier in the week that left him unavailable for the Nationals' series opener versus Pittsburgh, but he looks to be in the clear on the health front. After turning in a 3.62 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 60:28 K:BB in 54.2 innings over his 51 appearances with Washington in 2023, Weems should be a key part of the bridge to the ninth inning this season.

The Marlins selected Andriese's contract from Triple-A Jacksonville on Thursday.

Andriese will provide a fresh arm for a Miami bullpen that needs it. The 34-year-old right-hander hasn't pitched in the majors since 2021 and held a 6.05 ERA at the Triple-A level in 2023.

Diaz gave up a hit and struck out two in a scoreless ninth inning Wednesday to record his first save of the season in a 4-1 win over the Phillies.

After blowing the save in his season debut March 30 against the Nationals, Diaz has quickly gotten on track and picked up a win and a save in his next two appearances while posting a 4:0 K:BB in 2.2 innings. The 27-year-old righty is entrenched as the Reds' closer after racking up 37 saves last year and delivering a 2.62 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 11.69 K/9 over 134 innings since making his big-league debut in 2022.

Montas (2-0) recorded the win Wednesday in a 4-1 victory over the Phillies, allowing one run on five hits and three walks over 5.2 innings. He struck out five,

The right-hander couldn't quite deliver his second straight quality start to begin the season, blanking Philly for five innings before fading in the sixth -- Kyle Schwarber led off the frame with a solo shot, and Montas then loaded the bases with two outs before Justin Wilson was able to quell the rally. Montas exited after 100 pitches (63 strikes), and through his first two outings with the Reds he's posted a 9:3 K:BB in 11.2 innings. The 31-year-old lines up to make his next start at home early next week against the Brewers.

McGough (0-1) was tagged with the loss in Wednesday's extra-innings game against the Yankees. He allowed two runs (one earned) on two hits while striking out one over one inning.

McGough, pitching on back-to-back days, entered the top of the 11th inning and gave up a pair of runs then was part of an unusual situation in the bottom of the frame. Previous tactical maneuvers and an injury to Geraldo Perdomo (knee) resulted in McGough striking out with two outs and the bases loaded. It was the reliever's first career plate appearance.

Lamet picked up a save against San Francisco on Wednesday, striking out two batters in a perfect inning of work.

Usual closer Evan Phillips was unavailable after pitching three times over the previous four days, but it still seemed surprising for Dodgers manager Dave Roberts to call upon Lamet to close the contest given that he had never saved a game in 119 previous MLB appearances. The move paid off, however, as the right-hander mowed down the side on just 11 pitches, with two of his outs coming via strikeout. Phillips has a secure hold on the closer role for Los Angeles, so Lamet is unlikely to get many more save opportunities, though he does have closer-like stuff and could be a candidate to shut things down on occasion when Phillips is unavailable.

Thompson (0-2) took the loss Wednesday against the Padres, surrendering three runs on five hits and four walks across five innings. He struck out five.

Thompson was consistently in trouble Wednesday, allowing a runner to reach or cross second base in each of the first four innings, including a solo home run by Kyle Higashioka in the fourth. He was also picked on by baserunners, giving up three stolen bases on the day. With Sonny Gray (hamstring) on the brink of beginning a rehab stint with Triple-A Memphis, it appears Thompson will only get one or two more turns in the rotation. He's tentatively scheduled for another tough draw against the Phillies next week after opening up the campaign facing the Dodgers and Padres.