MLB Player News

Martinez picked up the save in a win over the Athletics on Wednesday, allowing two walks over two innings while striking out one.

Martinez entered the contest with a three-run lead in the top of the eighth and struck out the first batter on seven pitches before issuing a walk to JJ Bleday. The right-hander would quickly work his way through it, however, thanks to a double play ball in the following at-bat, before returning for the ninth. Despite also issuing a walk in the final frame, Martinez was able to wrap up the game with another scoreless inning to notch his first save of the season. It was a nice bounceback effort for the reliever, who had allowed three runs in his previous appearance on May 12 against the Tigers. Closer Josh Hader covered two innings Tuesday while Ryan Pressly, Bryan Abreu and Rafael Montero pitched two straight days, which opened up the save chance for Martinez.

Munoz gave up a hit and struck out three over 1.2 scoreless innings Wednesday to record his seventh save of the season in a 4-2 win over the Royals.

Austin Voth ran into trouble in the eighth inning, so Munoz got the call with runners on second and third and only one out to protect a 3-1 lead. The Mariners' closer did allow an inherited runner to score, but Seattle got the run right back in the bottom of the frame and Munoz dominated the ninth. It's the fourth time this season he's worked more than one inning to notch a save, and with Matt Brash (elbow) done for the year and Gregory Santos (lat) potentially not back until the All-Star break, Munoz may have to continue putting in extra work until Seattle settles on a new setup crew.

Sewald worked a perfect ninth inning Wednesday to record his second save of the season in a 2-1 win over the Reds.

The right-hander needed only eight pitches (four strikes) to get the job done. Sewald has been his usual effective self since making his season debut May 7, giving up just one run with a 4:1 K:BB in his first four innings, and he has a firm hold on the closer role for Arizona.

Walker was unavailable for Wednesday's game versus the Dodgers due to back tightness, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Walker last pitched Sunday, allowing one run on four hits over one inning while taking a blown save versus the Reds, so it's possible he's been dealing with the issue for a while. For now, the right-hander can be considered day-to-day. The Giants are off Thursday before beginning a three-game series at home versus the Rockies on Friday.

Kelly earned a save against the Red Sox on Wednesday, striking out two batters in a perfect inning of work.

Kelly entered in the ninth inning with Tampa Bay clinging to a one-run lead, and he dispatched the first two batters he faced on strikeouts before getting Ceddanne Rafaela to ground out to wrap up his first save of the campaign. Meanwhile, Pete Fairbanks -- who is usually Tampa's closer -- pitched in the eighth inning against the heart of Boston's order and notched a hold. That usage suggests that manager Kevin Cash won't hesitate to deploy Fairbanks in the highest-leverage situations, even when they come before the ninth frame. As such, other Rays relievers (including Kelly) could get save opportunities from time to time, though those chances are probably too unpredictable for fantasy managers to hassle with in leagues that don't reward holds.

Coulombe (1-0) allowed a hit in a scoreless inning and earned the win Wednesday over the Blue Jays. He did not issue a walk or strikeout a batter.

Coulombe did his part in the top of the ninth inning to keep the game within reach for the Orioles, and Adley Rutschman rewarded him by walking it off with a two-run home run. Coulombe has not allowed a run over his last seven appearances, covering 6.1 innings with a 3:0 K:BB in that span. He's at a 2.16 ERA, 0.54 WHIP and 17:2 K:BB through 16.2 innings while adding a save, eight holds and a blown save as a reliable high-leverage arm. With Craig Kimbrel's struggles jolting the Orioles into a closer committee, it appears Coulombe remains more of a setup man at this stage of the campaign.

Weaver struck out three batters, walked one and gave up two hits over two scoreless innings in relief in Wednesday's 4-0 win over the Twins.

Weaver covered the seventh and eighth frames Wednesday, allowing a single in each inning but keeping the Twins off the scoreboard. The veteran right-hander has gone 17.1 frames without giving up an earned run, lowering his season ERA to 2.25 in the process. Weaver has posted an outstanding 30:5 K:BB across 28 innings on the season and has tallied the first five holds of his career after spending most of his previous eight campaigns as a starter.

Thompson (1-1) recorded Wednesday's win over Cincinnati, allowing one hit and striking out one over a scoreless eighth inning.

Thompson, who made an eighth consecutive scoreless appearance, has been the Diamondbacks' best reliever through the first month-and-a-half. The side-arming right-hander sports a 1.00 ERA with just two walks while striking out 13 over 18 innings. He leads the team with six holds.

Kopech walked two and struck out two in a scoreless ninth inning Wednesday to record his fifth save of the season in a 2-0 win over the Nationals.

After working a scoreless frame in the nightcap of Tuesday's doubleheader in a non-save situation, Kopech was called upon again and labored through 33 pitches (20 strikes) before finally getting the job done. The last time the right-hander pitched on back-to-back days, he got the next four days off, so Kopech could be unavailable at least until the weekend. Through 19 appearances this season, he sports a 3.32 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 29:14 K:BB through 21.2 innings.

Brieske tossed a scoreless inning of relief in Wednesday's 2-0 loss to the Marlins. He allowed a hit and a walk, while striking out one.

Brieske was recalled from Triple-A Toledo on Monday and made his 2024 debut for the Tigers in this one. The righty, who made 15 starts for Detroit back in 2022, worked exclusively in relief for Toledo, where he compiled a strong 2.95 ERA and 22:11 K:BB over 21.2 innings. However, as a former starter, Brieske may be able to give the Tigers some length from the bullpen for however long he sticks around.