MLB Player News

Leiter should be one of the Cubs' top options for saves after manager Craig Counsell indicated Sunday that Adbert Alzolay isn't currently considered the club's closer, Steve Greenberg of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Alzolay blew his fourth save of the season in Saturday's doubleheader against Miami, and Counsell has apparently seen enough. Leiter has collected a hold in four straight appearances and has given up just two unearned runs across 10.2 innings this season. Hector Neris earned the save in Game 2 on Saturday and is likely the top candidate for saves, but Counsell hasn't officially named a new closer.

Neris should be one of the top options for saves after manager Craig Counsell indicated Sunday that Adbert Alzolay isn't currently considered the closer, Steve Greenberg of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Neris picked up his first save of the year in Game 2 of Saturday's doubleheader after Alzolay blew his fourth save. Counsell didn't name a replacement, but Neris is the obvious candidate given his usage Saturday and his experience as a high-leverage arm. Mark Leiter should also be in the mix.

Cubs manager Craig Counsell indicated Sunday that Alzolay isn't currently the club's closer, and the skipper said he'll treat the role as a "day-to-day thing," Steve Greenberg of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

The right-hander blew his second straight save, and fourth of the season, during Saturday's doubleheader, so it appears he'll get a break from the ninth inning. Alzolay has a 4.50 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 9:4 K:BB across 10 innings and is now set to fill a lower-leverage role, at least temporarily. Hector Neris and Mark Leiter are now the top candidates for the ninth inning, though Counsell didn't indicate if he'll go with one reliever or utilize a committee approach.

Hernandez (shoulder) is expected to begin a rehab assignment later this week, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Hernandez has been throwing since mid-March and is now nearly ready for game action. Given how long he's been out, he'll likely need a handful of rehab outings to get up to speed. Hernandez figures to enter the high-leverage mix fairly quickly once he's healthy, as the Royals' top late-inning options have ranged from fine (James McArthur, John Schreiber) to awful (Will Smith) early in the season.

Brentz (hamstring) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Omaha on Sunday.

Brentz has missed over a month with a Grade 2 hamstring strain, which follows Tommy John surgery in 2022 and a lat strain in 2023. Given the long layoff, the Royals are likely to ease Brentz back into action, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports. Pitchers can spend 30 days on a rehab assignment, so it's unlikely he's back in the majors until mid-May at the earliest.

The Diamondbacks optioned Martinez to Triple-A Reno on Sunday.

Martinez was called up by Arizona on Wednesday. He appeared in two games for the Diamondbacks, allowing four walks but no hits or runs while striking out two over three frames. The move corresponds with Arizona recalling right-hander Slade Cecconi from Triple-A Reno.

Gaddis walked one and struck out two in a scoreless and hitless inning to earn his fifth hold of the season Saturday versus the Athletics.

Gaddis had struggled primarily as a starter over parts of the last two seasons, but he's thriving as a reliever so far. He's got a 15:3 K:BB while allowing just four hits and no runs over 10.2 innings to begin the campaign. Gaddis was expected to be more of a middle reliever initially, but he's looking more like a setup man after his hot start, which is especially impressive considering how strong the Guardians' bullpen has been. Gaddis has also been able to unlock more velocity in shorter outings -- per Statcast, his fastball is averaging 96.3 mph this year after sitting at 93.4 mph over the previous two years. He's also tightened his pitch arsenal, dropping his curveball and cutter while using his slider and changeup as his offspeed offerings.

Walker (2-2) struck out two in a perfect inning to earn the win Saturday over the Diamondbacks.

Starter Kyle Harrison went just four innings, and Walker ended up in line for the win when the Giants went ahead for good in the fifth. Since his three-run blow-up versus Miami on Tuesday, he's pitched a pair of perfect innings with five strikeouts. Walker continues to serve as a middle reliever, posting a 3.75 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 15:3 K:BB with one hold over 12 innings.

Bolton (illness) was activated from the 15-day injured list and will serve as the 27th man for Sunday's doubleheader at Colorado.

The right-hander landed on the shelf in early April due to kidney stones but will rejoin the Mariners after the 15-day minimum. Bolton could be sent to Triple-A Tacoma after Sunday's twin bill.

The Brewers recalled Koenig from Triple-A Nashville on Sunday.

Koenig is back with the Brewers after being optioned by the team April 17. He hasn't given up a run in each of his last three appearances with Nashville, striking out six batters while walking two over 3.2 innings in that span. The move corresponds with Milwaukee placing DL Hall (knee) on the 15-day injured list.