MLB Player News

Diaz pitched a perfect ninth inning with one strikeout against the Angels on Saturday to earn his third save of the season.

Diaz made quick work of Logan O'Hoppe, Nolan Schanuel and Zach Neto, retiring the side on 13 pitches (11 strikes). Since taking the blown save and the loss in his 2024 debut, Diaz has allowed just one earned run on three hits while striking out nine in his last seven appearances, going 3-for-3 in save chances in that span. Now up to 50 saves for his career, Diaz is following in his brother Edwin's footsteps and establishing himself as one of the National League's most trusted closers.

Montero allowed one walk and no hits while striking out one across a scoreless inning to earn a hold Saturday against the Nationals.

The Astros were projected to have a strong bullpen with Josh Hader, Ryan Pressly and Bryan Abreu all leading the way in high-leverage situations. However, each has struggled to begin the new campaign, while Montero has now turned in nine scoreless performances in 11 appearances. He's pitched primarily in the sixth and seventh innings this season, though he could earn higher-leverage work given his solid start.

Pressly allowed two runs (one earned) on two hits and no walks while striking out one across one inning to blow the save Saturday against the Nationals.

Josh Hader threw 30 pitches to convert a save Friday, likely leaving him unavailable Saturday. Pressly was called upon to protect a two-run lead in the ninth inning as a result, though he failed to do so through a combination of bad luck and poor pitching. The leadoff man reached base on catcher's interference, but Pressly then proceeded to surrender a double and single that resulted in two runs crossing the plate. Pressly had pitched fairly well recently, but he's now allowed at least one earned run in five of 10 games this season with an overall ERA of 8.31.

Romano earned the save in Saturday's 5-2 win against the Padres after he retired all three batters he faced in the ninth inning. He struck out one.

Romano was provided a three-run cushion Saturday and needed just 11 pitches to retire San Diego's top three hitters. The veteran right-hander made his season debut less than a week ago after going down with elbow inflammation late in spring training, and he's quickly picked up a pair of saves. Romano retains a firm grip on the closer role for Toronto and already appears to be in strong form.

Neris struck out one and allowed one hit and no walks in a scoreless ninth inning to earn the save in Game 2 of Saturday's doubleheader versus Miami.

Closer Adbert Alzolay blew a save chance in Game 1, opening the door for Neris to handle the final frame of the nightcap. The 34-year-old has endured some struggles early in the season with seven walks over seven innings, but he hasn't given up a run in his past four appearances. Alzolay has already blown four saves, and Neris is likely the next man up for save chances should the closer continue to falter.

Scott earned the save with a scoreless ninth inning during Game 1 of Saturday's doubleheader against the Cubs. He struck out one and allowed two hits and no walks.

Bryan De La Cruz's two-run homer in the top of the ninth gave Miami a 3-2 lead, and Scott closed out the bottom of the frame to finish off the comeback despite giving up singles to the first two batters he faced. The Marlins closer has struggled with his command early in the season, as Saturday's outing was just his third time in nine appearances without issuing a walk. Scott is 3-for-4 in save opportunities and has a 3.72 ERA, 1.86 WHIP and 9:12 K:BB across 9.2 innings.

Alzolay (1-2) was charged with the loss and a blown save in Game 1 of Saturday's doubleheader against Miami. He allowed two runs on two hits and a walk while striking out one over 1.1 innings.

The Cubs closer entered with two outs in the eighth inning and walked a batter before he stranded the bases loaded, but a single and two-run homer in the ninth put Miami ahead 3-2. It's the second straight outing with a blown save for Alzolay, who is now 3-for-7 in save chances on the season. He's given up five runs with a 9:4 K:BB across 10 innings. Hector Neris picked up the save in Game 2 and could see more chances in the ninth inning if Alzolay's struggles persist.

Jansen struck out the side in a perfect ninth inning Saturday to record his fifth save of the season in a 4-2 win over the Pirates.

The veteran right-hander fired nine of 14 pitches for strikes in his most impressive performance so far this season, although he did benefit from a third-strike clock violation by Michael Taylor. It's only the third time in eight appearances that Jansen hasn't issued a walk, and while his 2.35 ERA looks good, it comes with a 1.57 WHIP and 12:8 K:BB over 7.2 innings.

Alvarado retired the only batter he faced to record his fourth save of the season in Saturday's win over the White Sox.

With a 9-0 lead entering the top of the ninth inning, the Phillies were looking like they'd be able to give Alvarado the night off. However, manager Rob Thomson was forced to turn to the hard-throwing lefty after Ricardo Pinto allowed five runs and loaded the bases with two out to put the tying run at the plate. Alvarado promptly disposed of Andrew Benintendi on one pitch in inducing a game-ending groundout. The southpaw has notched each of the Phillies' last two saves and leads the club with four on the season. While Alvarado is Thompson's top option for saves, Jeff Hoffman could still see some chances on days the skipper elects to use the lefty earlier in games.

Finnegan (1-2) picked up the win Saturday, working a scoreless 10th inning in a 5-4 victory over the Astros.

The right-hander needed only seven pitches (five strikes) to get through the top of the 10th, and he got a little help from his defense as Lane Thomas sprinted to catch a foul ball off Alex Bregman's bat and then threw out Jose Altuve trying to tag up and score. Finnegan carries a 2.89 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 8:5 K:BB through 9.1 innings, and he remains tied with Ryan Helsley for the NL lead in saves with seven.