MLB Player News
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David Bednar RP | NYY
Yankees' David Bednar: Holds on for third save
Bednar earned the save Wednesday against the Mariners, allowing one run on three hit and no walks in 1.1 innings. He struck out one.
The right-hander surrendered his first run of the season, but he survived Seattle's late comeback attempt for his third save of the campaign. Bednar fired 40 pitches Wednesday and recorded more than three outs for the first time this year, but he might have a chance to be available for Friday's series opener versus Miami following Thursday's day off. He's 3-for-3 on save opportunities thus far in 2026.
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Jonathan Loaisiga RP | ARI
Diamondbacks' Jonathan Loaisiga: Secures rare save Wednesday
Loaisiga allowed two hits and no walks in a scoreless ninth inning while picking up the save Wednesday against the Tigers.
Closer Paul Sewald worked each of the last two days and three of the past four for the Diamondbacks, so he was perhaps unavailable for Wednesday's save chance. Loaisiga stepped up for his first save opportunity of the season, netting just his ninth career save, and the hard-throwing right-hander is at least in the mix for high-leverage work with 3.1 scoreless innings and a hold under his belt so far.
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Nick Pivetta RP | SD
Padres' Nick Pivetta: Rebounds in second start
Pivetta (1-1) allowed one hit and two walks while striking out eight over five scoreless innings to earn the win over the Giants on Wednesday.
Pivetta's first start of the season was rough, but he bounced back in his second outing. In the 2025 regular season, he had eight outings with at least eight strikeouts, and he won six of those games with no-decisions in the other two. The right-hander now has a 6.75 ERA and a 12:5 K:BB across eight innings over his two starts this season. He is tentatively lined up to make his first road start of the year in Pittsburgh next week, which could be his first outing of a two-start week.
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Daniel Palencia RP | CHC
Cubs' Daniel Palencia: Closes door in non-save situation
Palencia worked around a hit to pitch a clean inning of relief in Wednesday's 6-2 win over the Angels. He struck out one.
Palencia has now made two scoreless appearances so far this season but has yet to see any save opportunities. Those should come for the flamethrowing righty, who looked good as Chicago's closer last year and then continued to impress for Team Venezuela during its championship run through the World Baseball Classic last month. Palencia is the Cubs' unquestioned end-game option, with offseason additions Hunter Harvey and Phil Maton working ahead of him in setup roles.
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Garrett Crochet RP | BOS
Red Sox's Garrett Crochet: Stumbles vs. Houston
Crochet (1-1) took the loss Wednesday against the Astros, allowing five runs (four earned) on six hits across five innings. He struck out seven.
It was a different story for Crochet on Wednesday, after the left-hander shut out the Reds in his first start of the season. After giving up two runs in the first inning, Crochet surrendered a two-run homer to Carlos Correa in the fifth in an eventual 6-4 Boston defeat. Crochet will look to get back on track in his next outing, tentatively lined up for next week at home against the Brewers.
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Bryan Abreu RP | HOU
Astros' Bryan Abreu: Hangs on for first save
Abreu earned the save in Wednesday's 6-4 win over the Red Sox, allowing a run on one hit while striking out three in the ninth inning.
Abreu got off to an inauspicious start in the ninth inning Wednesday, as he gave up a home run to Roman Anthony to lead off the frame. However, the right-hander rebounded to strike out Boston's subsequent three batters to close out a two-run victory and earn his first save of the year. While Abreu has given up at least one run in all three of his appearances this season, Wednesday's outing certainly looks like a step in the right direction. Notably, his fastball velocity reached 97.4 MPH in the outing after topping out at just 93.2 MPH in his last appearance Sunday versus the Angels. Abreu figures to retain the ninth-inning job in Houston until Josh Hader (biceps) is able to return.
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Gregory Soto RP | PIT
Pirates' Gregory Soto: Misses out on save again
Soto struck out two in a perfect ninth inning Wednesday during the Pirates' 8-3 win over the Reds.
For the second straight day, Soto was warming up to handle a save situation in the bottom of the ninth, only for Pittsburgh's offense to churn out insurance runs in the top of the frame and erase the save chance. The veteran southpaw has a 0.00 ERA through 4.1 innings to begin the season with an 8:2 K:BB, and he currently appears to be the favorite for save chances ahead of Dennis Santana.
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Steven Cruz RP | KC
Royals' Steven Cruz: Summoned from minors
The Royals recalled Cruz from Triple-A Omaha on Wednesday, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
He'll take the roster spot vacated by Carlos Estevez (foot), who was placed on the 15-day injured list. Cruz posted a 3.74 ERA and 38:18 K:BB over 45.2 frames for the Royals last season and should work low-leverage innings.
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Carlos Estevez RP | KC
Royals' Carlos Estevez: Goes on IL with foot contusion
The Royals placed Estevez (foot) on the 15-day injured list Wednesday, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
Estevez suffered a left foot contusion during an appearance Saturday in Atlanta when he was struck by a line drive. The reliever has also been dealing with velocity and delivery issues that have affected his overall effectiveness, and he'll get a chance to get back on track while on the IL and when he presumably goes on a rehab assignment. Estevez will be eligible to be reinstated April 14, but his timetable to return is currently up in the air. Lucas Erceg has stepped in as closer for the Royals and should continue in that role indefinitely.
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Kirby Yates RP | LAA
Angels' Kirby Yates: Throws short bullpen session
Yates (knee) threw an abbreviated bullpen session Wednesday, Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register reports.
Yates said afterward that his knee felt healthy but that he still needs to sharpen his stuff before he's ready to pitch in a game. Sidelined by left knee inflammation, Yates is eligible for activation from the 15-day injured list April 6. It's unclear whether he'll be back on that date, but if he isn't it shouldn't be long after. Jordan Romano has seized the Angels' closer job for the time being, but Yates could work his way back into that mix.