MLB Player News

Vesia earned a save against the Marlins on Monday, striking out one batter in a perfect ninth inning.

When Evan Phillips (hamstring) was placed on the injured list Sunday, there arose uncertainty about whom Dodgers manager Dave Roberts would turn to when the next save chance came up. The answer turned out to be Vesia, who has been arguably the team's best reliever (outside of Phillips) this season with a 1.56 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 20:12 K:BB over 17.1 innings. The southpaw handled the opportunity well, retiring the side in order on 13 pitches, nine of which were strikes. It's worth noting that the Marlins were due to send up two left-handed hitters among the first three batters in the frame (though both lefties were swapped for a righty pinch hitter), so that may have played into the Roberts' decision to call upon Vesia rather than a righty reliever. It's too early to assume that Vesia will be the primary closer while Phillips remains out, but he certainly appears to be in the mix for save chances along with Daniel Hudson and possibly Blake Treinen.

Sandlin (3-0) allowed a hit and struck out one without walking a batter over 1.1 innings to earn the win Monday over the Tigers.

Sandlin is on a six-inning scoreless streak, during which he has permitted three baserunners (two hits, one hit batsman). The right-hander has been a go-to option for manager Stephen Vogt -- Sandlin is already up to 19 appearances this season, tied with teammates Emmanuel Clase and Scott Barlow for the major-league lead. Through 17.2 innings, Sandlin has pitched to a 2.04 ERA, 0.62 WHIP and 20:3 K:BB while adding a save and two holds. He's not a full-time high-leverage reliever, but he's been steady for a strong Guardians bullpen when called upon.

Kittredge (0-1) allowed one run on one hit over one inning, taking the loss Monday versus the Mets. He did not strike out or walk a batter.

Kittredge was charged with a run for the first time since April 6, though he took a blown save in his last outing Saturday for allowing an inherited runner to score. The scoreless streak spanned 10.1 innings. Even with the recent slip-ups, Kittredge is boasting a 1.20 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and 15:3 K:BB over 15 innings this season while adding 10 holds. The right-hander has emerged as a key high-leverage option for the Cardinals, though Ryan Helsley is firmly entrenched as the closer this year.

Yates picked up a save against the A's on Monday, walking one batter in a scoreless inning of work.

Yates got the ball with Texas holding a two-run lead in the ninth inning and walked the second batter he faced to bring the tying run to the plate. However, the veteran reliever got Brett Harris to line into a double play to end the contest and secure his sixth save. Yates still hasn't given up a run this season, and he's yielded just three hits over 15 innings. After resurrecting his career in Atlanta's bullpen last year, he's emerged as one of fantasy's most valuable closers early in the 2024 campaign.

Anderson (2-1) pitched a perfect inning and struck out two batters to earn the win Monday over the Brewers.

Anderson kept the deficit to two runs in the top of the seventh inning, and the Royals rallied ahead in their half of the frame. The right-hander allowed multiple runs in two of his first five outings of the season, but he's since posted nine consecutive scoreless innings. He's at a 2.77 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 8:6 K:BB through 13 innings overall, though that hasn't translated to many high-leverage looks for Anderson, who has added just one hold and no saves.

Urena will start Tuesday's game against the Athletics, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Urena will make his first start of the 2024 season, though he's given the Rangers length out of the bullpen at times through the first month of the campaign. He most recently worked three frames April 27 vs. Cincinnati and three innings April 18 against Detroit. He'll likely be called upon to eat anywhere from two to four innings Tuesday if all goes according to plan.

Diaz earned a save against the Cardinals on Monday, striking out one batter in a perfect ninth inning.

Diaz blew his first save of the season Sunday against Tampa Bay, but he went right back to work with the Mets holding a one-run ninth-inning lead a day later. The star closer didn't falter this time, retiring all three batters he faced on 11 pitches. The save was Diaz's fifth of the campaign and his first since April 15.

Suarez struck out three batters over 1.2 perfect frames and earned a save over the Cubs on Monday.

Suarez was called into a bases-loaded, one-out jam in the eighth inning and quickly steamrolled the Cubs in order to finish off the game. He matched his longest outing of the year while firing 14 of 20 pitches for strikes. Suarez has been nearly perfect this season; he's 1-0 with a 0.59 ERA while converting each of his 11 save chances. The 33-year-old is currently riding a 13-inning scoreless streak.

Thielbar struck out two batters in a scoreless inning and earned a save over the Mariners on Monday.

Thielbar faced the heart of Seattle's lineup after Jhoan Duran pitched a perfect eighth inning. It was Thielbar's third save of the year and first since April 29. He lowered his ERA to 6.14 with a 9:3 K:BB through 7.1 innings. Duran should still see most of the save chances in Minnesota but there should still be some vulture save opportunities for the likes of Thielbar and Griffin Jax.

Duran struck out two batters in a scoreless eighth inning and earned a hold during Monday's win over Seattle.

Duran was called upon to face the Mariners' 9-1-2 hitters in a 3-1 contest. After earning a save in each of his first two appearances of 2024, he's picked up a hold in his last two games. Duran is the primary closing option in Minnesota but it appears there may be more of a committee than expected. Last season, he converted 27 of 32 saves and picked up only one hold.