MLB Player News

Duffey (1-0) pitched a perfect inning and earned the win over the Angels on Friday.

The Royals saved their offense for the ninth inning in a 2-1 win, and Duffey ended up benefiting after he prevented the Halos from adding to their lead in the eighth. He's kept runs off the board in four of his six major-league appearances this season. The right-hander has a 4.05 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 8:5 K:BB over 6.2 innings while adding one hold, though he's primarily served as a low-leverage option.

Diaz walked one and struck out two in a scoreless inning to earn the save in Friday's 4-2 win over the Giants.

Diaz had given up five runs over 1.1 innings across his last two outings, which came in non-save situations. This was his first save since April 27, and he's now 7-for-8 in save chances this season. A couple of implosions have wreaked havoc on Diaz's ratios -- he's at a 6.08 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 16:9 K:BB through 13.1 innings, and he's been scored upon in four of his 14 appearances. His walk rate is high, but it hasn't cost him the Reds' closer job yet.

Estevez (0-2) blew the save and took the loss Friday against Kansas City. He allowed two runs on three hits and no walks with one strikeout over one inning.

Estevez allowed a lead-taking, two-run homer to Adam Frazier in the ninth inning to blow his third save on the year. Remarkably, the Angels closer has yet to issue a free pass this season after posting a shaky 11.0 percent walk rate in 2023, but he has allowed three homers over 11.2 innings, leading to a 6.17 ERA. Despite the ugly ERA, Estevez's hold on the ninth-inning role seems to be fairly secure thanks in large part to a career-high 30.4 percent strikeout rate.

Schreiber picked up the save Friday against the Angels. He pitched a shutout inning, allowing one hit with no strikeouts.

Schreiber collected his first save of the season and the 10th of his career. Royals closer James McArthur had worked back-to-back nights on Tuesday and Wednesday, so manager Matt Quatraro could have been giving him extra rest Friday night. However, McArthur also blew saves Sunday and Tuesday and has seen his ERA jump from 2.87 to 4.15 in the last week, so his hold on the ninth-inning role could be slipping.

Holmes earned the save in Friday's 2-0 win over the Rays, working around a hit and two walks while striking out three in a scoreless ninth inning.

The Rays loaded the bases against Holmes in the ninth before the right-hander struck out Jonny DeLuca for the final out. Holmes has yet to allow an earned run this year, pitching to a 1.04 WHIP with 21:3 K:BB over 17.1 innings. He's up to 12 saves, tied with Kyle Finnegan and Robert Suarez for the league lead.

Beeks picked up the save Friday against Texas, pitching a scoreless ninth inning without a strikeout or a walk.

Beeks only required nine total pitches to retire the bottom of the Texas order for his second save of the season. Justin Lawrence, the Rockies' usual closer, was brought in to shut down a rally in the seventh inning after starter Austin Gomber ran into trouble. However, the left-handed Beeks may be the second choice for saves in Colorado as he's been arguably the most dependable option in the bullpen, tossing a 2.45 ERA with a 14:8 K:BB over 18.1 innings.

Leasure threw 1.1 shutout innings and earned a save against Cleveland on Friday.

Leasure fired 12 of 16 pitches for strikes to quickly finish off the 6-3 victory. He's converted two of his three save chances this season, with both conversions coming in his last six appearances. Leasure lowered his ERA to 2.20 with an 11:6 K:BB through 16.1 innings. Michael Kopech was seemingly unavailable after pitching Wednesday and Thursday.

Iglesias allowed a run on a hit and a walk in the ninth inning Friday to earn a save against the Mets.

Iglesias coughed up an RBI single to Pete Alonso with two outs in the ninth but was able to close out the 4-2 victory. The right-hander has converted 10 of his 12 save chances this year while posting a 10:4 K:BB through 15.1 innings. Friday was the first time he'd allowed an earned run since April 24, and he owns a strong 2.25 ERA.

Hader earned the save in Friday's 5-2 win over the Tigers, working around a walk while striking out two in a scoreless inning.

Hader's allowed just one earned run over his last 7.1 innings while improving to 5-for-6 in converting save chances. After a shaky start to the year, the left-hander's lowered his ERA to 5.29 with a 1.35 WHIP and 27:8 K:BB across 17 innings.

Lynch was optioned to Triple-A Omaha on Friday, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Lynch will return to Omaha after tossing five scoreless innings in a start Sunday against the Rangers and two perfect relief innings Thursday against the Angels. With Alec Marsh (elbow) being activated from the IL on Friday, Lynch was the odd man out in Kansas City. The left-hander has struggled to a 5.86 ERA over 27.2 innings in six starts at Triple-A this season and he'll look to find a groove ahead of his next big-league opportunity.