MLB Player News

Garrett struck out the side in a perfect ninth inning Saturday to record his first career save in a 6-4 win over the Dodgers.

Edwin Diaz needed 20 pitches to get the final two outs of the eighth inning, and rather than extend his closer, Mets manager Carlos Mendoza elected to see whether Garrett could handle a high-leverage spot. The 31-year-old right-hander was more than up to the task, firing nine of 13 pitches for strikes as he carved up the bottom of the Dodgers' order. Top setup men Brooks Raley and Adam Ottavino had both pitched the day before and were presumably being rested, but Garrett earned his opportunity. Through his first 10.2 innings this season, he's delivered a 0.75 ERA, 0.57 WHIP and dazzling 21:3 K:BB. Diaz is still the undisputed closer for the Mets, but Garrett figures to see more late-inning work after this successful audition.

Diaz walked two and struck out two in a scoreless two-thirds of an inning Saturday, recording his first hold of the season in a 6-4 win over the Dodgers.

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza called on his closer to protect a two-run lead with one on and one out in the eighth inning, but Diaz walked the bases loaded before escaping the jam, needing 20 pitches (nine strikes) to do it. As a result, Reed Garrett came on in the ninth and struck out the side to secure the save. Diaz has yet to have an appearance of longer than one inning this season, so it's not clear if Mendoza would have allowed the right-hander to try and get more than three outs had the eighth gone smoothly. Either way, Diaz remains the team's clear closer and sports a 1.17 ERA, 0.78 WHIP and 12:4 K:BB through his first 7.2 innings this season.

Clase tossed a scoreless ninth inning with two strikeouts against the Athletics on Saturday to pick up his sixth save of the season.

Asking Clase to preserve a three-run lead against the A's is about as easy as a save opportunity gets, but his fantasy managers will take it. Clase did give up a leadoff double to Ryan Noda in this one, but he quickly rebounded with a couple punchouts sandwiched around a groundout. The 26-year-old closer has been credited with two blown saves this season, but he's been charged with just one earned run and has a 9:0 K:BB over 10 frames.

Fairbanks was unavailable to pitch Saturday versus the Yankees due to stomach issues, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Fairbanks wasn't even at the ballpark, as he was told to remain at the team hotel with his illness. It explains why Garrett Cleavinger was called upon for the save chance in the 10th inning Saturday (which he converted). Fairbanks has had a rocky start to the season with a 9.00 ERA and eight walks over seven innings, but he's been tagged with only one blown save. Once he feels well enough to pitch, Fairbanks still looks like the best bet to receive the Rays' next save opportunity.

White was recalled from Triple-A Round Rock on Friday.

The 24-year-old took the roster spot of Jack Leiter, who was sent down after making his MLB debut Thursday. White hasn't pitched well in three starts for Round Rock this season with a 7.30 ERA across 12.1 innings, but he will be available in relief for the time being. White got his feet wet in the big leagues last summer with a couple appearances out of the Texas bullpen.

Winckowski will start Sunday in Pittsburgh, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

He will be taking the spot vacated by Garrett Whitlock (oblique). Winckowski hasn't pitched longer than 2.2 innings in any relief outing this season and went just one frame in each of his last two appearances, so Sunday's start will be a pretty short one. With Whitlock slated to miss at least a couple weeks, Winckowski could be needed for additional starts after Sunday.

Jax pitched a perfect ninth inning with two strikeouts against the Tigers on Saturday en route to his second save of the season.

Called upon to protect a one-run lead, Jax was nails Saturday, retiring the side in order on 12 pitches. He reached as high as 96.9 mph on his fastball and earned his first save since Opening Day. While Jax appears to be first in line for save chances right now, he doesn't seem to have much of a window with Jhoan Duran (oblique) closing in on a rehab assignment. Duran threw 21 pitches in live batting practice Friday.

The Blue Jays recalled Pearson from Triple-A Buffalo on Saturday, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Pearson has thrown 6.1 scoreless innings in the majors this season, and he'll get another opportunity to rejoin the Jays' bullpen as Chad Green (shoulder) moves to the injured list. The 27-year-old right-hander will presumably continue serving in middle relief while in Toronto.

The Blue Jays placed Green on the 15-day injured list Saturday with a teres major strain in his right shoulder, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Green's shoulder has kept him out of action since Monday, and it will officially cost him another couple of weeks as he moves to the IL. Nate Pearson will come up from Triple-A Buffalo in a corresponding move to fill the open spot in Toronto's bullpen.

Cleavinger threw a scoreless 10th inning with one strikeout against the Yankees on Saturday to earn his first career save.

After Jason Adam pitched a clean ninth to preserve a scoreless tie, Tampa Bay scored the game's only runs in the top of the 10th to create the save chance. It was the left-handed Cleavinger who got the call with Pete Fairbanks unavailable due to a stomach illness, per Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times, and Cleavinger shut the door on 17 pitches (12 strikes). While Cleavinger battles fits of wildness, he also misses bats and may continue to see the occasional matchups-based opportunity with Fairbanks struggling in the ninth to begin the season. The 29-year-old Cleavinger already has three wins this season to go along with Saturday's save.