MLB Player News

Kimbrel struck out one in a perfect seventh inning Friday to record his third hold of the season in a 4-2 win over the Diamondbacks.

The 35-year-old reliever didn't exactly get deployed in the highest-leverage spot, as he faced Arizona's 8-9-1 hitters, but Kimbrel got the job done on an efficient 12 pitches (eight strikes). He topped out at 94.5 mph with his fastball -- he averaged 95.9 mph last season -- and it was only the second time in Kimbrel's last seven appearances that he avoided giving up a run. Yennier Cano got the save in the ninth inning, and that figures be the arrangement for a while until Kimbrel demonstrates his struggles are behind him, although other relievers like Danny Coulombe could also be in the saves mix. Over those last seven appearances, Kimbrel has a 10.13 ERA, 3.19 WHIP and 8:9 K:BB in 5.1 innings.

Cano gave up a hit and struck out one in a scoreless ninth inning Friday to record his second save of the season in a 4-2 win over the Diamondbacks.

Craig Kimbrel worked the seventh inning and faced the bottom of the Arizona order, a strong sign that at least for the moment, manager Brandon Hyde is focused on building the veteran closer's confidence back up rather than throwing him into the fire in the ninth. Due to Kimbrel's recent struggles, Cano has picked up both his 2024 saves in his last three appearances, but Jacob Webb and Danny Coulombe have also collected saves in the last couple weeks, although the former's came in the 12th inning. Even if the O's turn to a committee to protect leads at the end of games, Cano figures to see the majority of save chances until Kimbrel proves he's ready to resume his usual role.

Gilbreath (shoulder) has yet to resume throwing, MLB.com reports.

Gilbreath is still waiting to take the next big step in his recovery from Tommy John surgery, but the current issue is pain behind his left shoulder. On a positive note, he is showing progress in his rehab exercises.

Abreu threw a scoreless eighth inning while allowing one hit and striking out three to record a hold Friday against the Tigers.

Ryan Pressly (back) hasn't pitched since May 3, leaving Abreu as Houston's primary setup man. He blew the lead in his first opportunity in the role Sunday, but he performed well in Friday's appearance to tally his sixth hold of the season. Since allowing six earned runs across his first 5.2 innings of the campaign, Abreu has allowed only five earned runs across his last 15.2 frames.

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.