MLB Player News

Grove is slated to start Sunday's series finale in Toronto in what's expected to a bullpen game for the Dodgers, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Grove made 12 starts for the big club in 2023, but he was dismissed from the competition for a rotation spot late in spring training and has served as a multi-inning reliever for the Dodgers through the first month of the regular season. The right-hander hasn't covered more than three innings in any of his nine relief appearances to date, so the Dodgers may not ask him to work much longer than that while he picks up his first start of 2024. Fellow multi-inning reliever Ryan Yarbrough is available on three days' rest and could be the Dodgers pitcher who's most likely to factor into any decision.

Bednar earned the save against the Giants on Saturday, allowing one run on two hits while striking out three over one inning.

Bednar entered the game with a three-run lead in the bottom of the 10th and surrendered a two-run shot to Jorge Soler in the leadoff at-bat to make it 4-3. The reliever also allowed an infield single in the frame but managed to work his way through it, getting all his outs by way of strikeout. Bednar has now converted each of his last four save attempts, though he's also allowed at least one run in back-to-back appearances, leaving him with a dreadful 13.50 ERA in April.

Barlow (2-2) allowed a hit and a walk while striking out one in a scoreless inning to earn the extra-innings win Saturday over Atlanta.

Barlow took care of business in the bottom of the 10th inning, and Cleveland pulled ahead in the 11th. It's a fourth straight scoreless outing for Barlow, who has two wins and two holds in that span. The setup man is at a 3.46 ERA, 1.38 wHIP and 15:8 K:BB through 13 innings overall, though he's improved after a rocky start to 2024.

Sandlin picked up a save against Atlanta on Saturday, striking out one batter in a perfect inning of work.

Regular Cleveland closer Emmanuel Clase pitched a scoreless ninth frame to send the game into extra innings, so Sandlin was handed the ball with the Guardians up two runs in the 11th. The right-hander didn't have any trouble getting through the heart of the Atlanta lineup, retiring Ronald Acuna, Ozzie Albies and Austin Riley in order on just 11 pitches. There's no arguing that this was an impressive performance by Sandlin, but with Clase locked in as one of the league's most secure closers, it's unlikely Sandlin gets many more save chances moving forward.

Jackson allowed two hits with no walks while striking out two over two scoreless innings in Saturday's 16-5 win over the Angels.

Jackson has an impressive 17:5 K:BB ratio in 14.2 innings, but has given up three home runs helping result in a mediocre 4.30 ERA. He's become a steady option in middle relief, but he isn't being used in enough high-leverage spots to accumulate many holds or save chances.

Maton (0-2) allowed two runs (one earned) on one hit across one-third of an inning to blow the save and take the loss Saturday against the White Sox.

Maton entered the game in the 10th inning with a one-run lead and recorded the first out without incident. However, he served up a two-run home run to Andrew Benintendi one batter later to take his second loss of the campaign. The outing also increased Maton's ERA to 7.59 for the season, though the majority of that damage came from one outing. He also entered Saturday's game having turned in five consecutive scoreless appearances.

Romero struck out two in a perfect inning to earn his 10th hold of the season in Saturday's 7-4 win over the Mets.

Romero had some control issues in spring training, but they disappeared when the games started to count. He's pitched to a 1.23 ERA, 0.55 WHIP and 16:2 K:BB over 14.2 innings this season. Romero is part of the Cardinals' high-leverage mix with 10 holds -- matching his total from his previous four seasons combined. He is unlikely to challenge Ryan Helsley for closing duties, but Romero is providing quality innings when called upon.

Kittredge allowed a hit and struck out one without walking a batter in a scoreless inning to earn his 10th hold of the season in Saturday's 7-4 win over the Mets.

Kittredge has been excellent in a high-leverage role for the Cardinals. He's been scored on just once in 13 appearances, posting a 0.75 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 13:3 K:BB through 12 innings. Manager Oliver Marmol has gone with more clearly defined roles in the bullpen this year than in previous seasons, and Kittredge has slotted in as a strong setup man in his first year with the team.

Berroa is expected to be recalled from Triple-A Charlotte prior to Sunday's game versus the Rays, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

The White Sox need bullpen help after five relievers were needed in Saturday's extra-inning win over the Rays. Berroa allowed 11 runs over his first 4.1 innings with Charlotte this season but has been unscored upon in his last seven appearances. The hard-throwing righty was acquired from the Mariners over the offseason in the Gregory Santos trade and will be making his White Sox debut when/if he gets into a game.

Wesneski will start Sunday in Boston in place of the injured Jordan Wicks (forearm), Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Wesneski went 2.1 innings and threw 20 pitches in a relief appearance Thursday against the Astros. He hasn't started a game since taking the hill April 12 for Triple-A Iowa, so Wesneski may be on a restricted pitch count Sunday and could struggle to hit the five innings he would need to qualify for the win. The Cubs haven't yet indicated that Wicks will need to miss any additional turns beyond Sunday, but if the lefty is forced to the injured list, Wesneski could end up becoming a fixture in the rotation.