MLB Player News

Garcia recorded his second save of the season Wednesday after tossing a scoreless ninth inning against the Marlins, walking one and striking out one.

Garcia needed just 15 pitches (nine strikes) to get the job done in the bottom of the ninth while holding a three-run lead. After issuing a leadoff walk to Owen Caissie, Garcia induced a double-play groundout from Otto Lopez before retiring Javier Sanoja on a game-ending strikeout. Garcia seems to be the top option to operate as the Orioles' closer as long as Ryan Helsley (elbow) is on the shelf and has been pitching very well of late. This was his sixth straight scoreless outing, a span where he's yet to allow a hit while posting a 6:2 K:BB through five frames.

Williams struck out both batters he faced to earn the save in Wednesday's 10-5 win over the Rockies.

Sean Manaea was tasked with protecting a five-run lead in the ninth inning, but he instead loaded the bases while recording just one out. Williams came in and racked up six strikes on nine pitches to escape the jam, earning his third save in as many appearances in May. A four-game stretch in the middle of April saw Williams give up eight runs over two innings, but he's posted five consecutive scoreless outings since then. His 6.17 ERA and 1.80 WHIP for the season are ugly, but Williams has converted five of six save chances and has a 20:6 K:BB over 11.2 innings. The struggles haven't cost him the closer role yet, though the Mets' overall poor performance hasn't led to a ton of closing opportunities.

Soto walked one and struck out one in a scoreless and hitless inning to earn the save in Wednesday's 1-0 win over the Diamondbacks.

Soto has primarily worked as a setup man this season, but he converted the save chance Wednesday after Paul Skenes spun eight shutout innings. Dennis Santana pitched in Tuesday's contest, while Soto hadn't been utilized since Sunday. The winds may be changing in the Pirates' bullpen, as Santana hasn't gotten a save chance since blowing one April 27 versus the Cardinals. Soto is at a 1.50 ERA, 0.72 WHIP and 24:7 K:BB through 18 innings, and he's added two saves and six holds across 18 appearances. Soto hasn't worked as a primary closer since 2022 with the Tigers, when he converted 30 of 33 opportunities, but he's certainly gaining momentum with his work early this year, which has made him the most reliable reliever on the team, regardless of role.

Kelly picked up a hold Wednesday against Toronto, allowing two hits and no walks in a scoreless inning of work.

Although the 28-year-old right-hander hasn't received a save opportunity since early April, he's still been a key part of Tampa Bay's bullpen despite falling out of favor in the Rays' closer picture. Kelly sports a 3.45 ERA, 0.83 WHIP and 13:4 K:BB across 15.2 innings this year while also collecting six holds.

Milner was charged with a blown save during the Cubs' 7-6 extra-inning win over the Reds on Wednesday after giving up a run on one hit and one walk while striking out one batter in the ninth inning.

The Cubs initially turned to Corbin Martin to protect the team's 4-2 lead in the ninth, but Milner had to be brought in after the former gave up a solo homer before loading the bases. Milner struck out the first batter he faced but ended up allowing three runs to cross the plate (two inherited), which was enough for him to be tagged with the blown save. He shouldn't see many more save opportunities this season, as Daniel Palencia is the Cubs' preferred closer after recently coming off the 15-day IL.

The Yankees optioned De Los Santos to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Wednesday.

The Yankees recalled De Los Santos from Triple-A ahead of Wednesday's contest, and he'll now return to the minors after striking out five batters over 3.1 innings against Texas. The 28-year-old right-hander now owns a 1.69 ERA through 5.1 frames in the big leagues this season and could return to New York later in the year when the Yankees need length out of the bullpen.

Ragans was removed from Wednesday's game against the Guardians due to left triceps/elbow soreness.

Ragans made it through three shutout innings before being forced out of his start, during which he gave up one hit and two walks while striking out four batters. It remains unclear whether he'll be ready for his next turn through the rotation next week against the White Sox, though the Royals will likely send him in for further testing and offer an update once they have more information.

Ferrer earned the save in Wednesday's 3-1 win over Atlanta, striking out one in a perfect ninth inning.

After Andres Munoz gave up a go-ahead home run in Tuesday's loss, the Mariners turned to Ferrer with a two-run lead in the ninth inning Wednesday. The left-hander made quick work of Atlanta, retiring the side on just 11 pitches to earn his second save this season. Munoz still figures to have a hold on the closing job, despite his struggles this year, though Ferrer has established himself as Seattle's clear No. 2 option. The left-hander's ERA is down to 1.89 through 19 innings this season with a 1.37 WHIP and 16:3 K:BB.

The Mets pulled Minter (lat) from his rehab assignment with Triple-A Syracuse on Wednesday due to left hip discomfort, Abbey Mastracco of the New York Daily News reports.

Minter was cleared to embark on a rehab assignment in early April, less than a year after undergoing surgery on his left lat. He has tossed 8.2 innings across nine minor-league games while posting a 1.04 ERA and 0.69 WHIP. Mike Puma of the New York Post reports that Minter will be reevaluated in a few days, but the Mets aren't overly concerned about the 32-year-old southpaw, who could be with the big club by mid-May depending on the severity of his latest injury.

Pallante (3-3) took the loss Wednesday, coughing up five runs on eight hits and two walks over six innings as the Cardinals fell 6-2 to the Brewers. He struck out three.

Four of the runs off Pallante crossed the plate in the first inning, including a three-run homer by Andrew Vaughn. The right-hander settled down after that and hung around for 104 pitches (74 strikes), but the St. Louis offense didn't get on the board until the eighth. Pallante has given the Cards at least five innings in all seven of his starts to begin the season, but his results have been somewhat erratic. He'll take a 4.34 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 29:16 K:BB through 37.1 innings into his next outing, which lines up to come on the road early next week against the A's.