MLB Player News

Green walked one and struck out one in a scoreless ninth inning Tuesday to record his second save of the season in a 5-3 win over the Mariners.

He needed 25 pitches (16 strikes) to get the job done, but Green is now 2-for-2 in converting save chances this season with a 3.18 ERA and 4:2 K:BB through 5.1 innings. The veteran right-hander's time as Toronto's closer is likely running short, though, as Jordan Romano (elbow) will begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A Buffalo on Thursday.

Holmes struck out one in a perfect ninth inning Tuesday to record his fifth save of the season in a 3-2 win over the Marlins.

The right-hander leads the majors in saves in the early going, and he has yet to allow an earned run through six innings while posting a 3:0 K:BB. Holmes should continue seeing a high volume of save chances for a Yankees team that was the first in MLB to reach double-digit wins this season.

Kopech earned the save in Tuesday's 7-5 win over the Guardians, striking out four over two perfect innings.

Kopech looked excellent Tuesday, striking out the side in the eighth inning before setting the Guardians down in order in the ninth to nail down his second save this year. The right-hander had allowed a run in each of his prior two appearances, issuing four walks over 2.2 innings in that span. Tuesday's performance was certainly a step in the right direction for Kopech, who appears to be the White Sox's primary closer early in the year. Overall, he's 0-1 with a 2.45 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 12:5 K:BB through his first 7.1 innings this season.

Criswell is under consideration to get called up from Triple-A Worcester to fill Nick Pivetta's (elbow) slot in the rotation, Julian McWilliams and Alex Speier of The Boston Globe report.

The Red Sox are hopeful Pivetta can return when eligible to come off the 15-day injured list, but they'll need a fill-in starter in the interim. Criswell opened the season in the rotation at Worcester and most recently pitched Sunday. He would be available to start Saturday against the Angels, the next time the Red Sox need a fifth starter. Criswell has allowed one run on eight hits and three walks while striking out nine over 10.1 innings in his two minor-league starts. Boston is also considering long reliever Chase Anderson, who's already on the 40-man roster and has made two multi-inning appearances, for a spot start.

Anderson is under consideration to fill Nick Pivetta's (elbow) slot in the rotation, Julian McWilliams and Alex Speier of The Boston Globe report.

The Red Sox placed Pivetta on the 15-day injured list, and the club is hopeful he'll come off the IL when eligible. While he's unavailable, Boston will need a fill-in starter, both Anderson, who has a spot on the 40-man roster, and minor-league starter Cooper Criswell are under consideration. Anderson has made a pair of long-relief appearances, while Criswell started for Triple-A Worcester on Sunday and would be available to start Saturday, the next time Boston needs a fifth starter.

Foley gave up two hits and didn't walk a batter during a scoreless ninth inning to earn the save in Tuesday's 5-3 win over the Pirates. He did not record a strikeout.

The right-hander allowed multiple hits in an appearance for the first time this season but helped himself by inducing a groundball double play. Foley is racking up the stats early in the season with two wins and three saves through six scoreless appearances, and he appears to be the favored option for the ninth inning.

Bednar (1-1) was charged with the loss and blown save Tuesday after he retired just one of the seven batters he faced during a 5-3 loss to the Tigers. He allowed four runs on three hits and a walk.

The right-hander also plunked a pair of batters as he threw just nine of 23 pitches for strikes. It's an exclamation point on a worrying start to the season for Bednar, who is 1-for-4 in save chances and has already surrendered six earned runs after giving up exactly 15 in each of the previous three seasons. Manager Derek Shelton admitted that Bednar's lack of spring reps due to a lat injury has likely played a role in the struggles, per Andrew Destin of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, but there's been no indication at this point that a change at closer is coming.

Angels manager Ron Washington said Tuesday that Stephenson (shoulder) threw a live bullpen session and is close to a rehab assignment, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Stephenson started the season on the 15-day IL after missing all of spring training due to right shoulder soreness. His live BP session is another step in the right direction as the right-hander continues to ramp up his activity. Stephenson appears poised to make his first rehab assignment in the next few days.

The Rays recalled Kelly from Triple-A Durham on Tuesday.

The move corresponds with the Rays placing Tyler Alexander on the bereavement list Tuesday. Kelly appeared in 57 games for the Rays in 2023, posting a 3.09 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 56:15 K:BB over 67 innings. He's been effective with Triple-A Durham early this minor-league season as well, firing 3.2 scoreless innings with six strikeouts.

Ortega (elbow) was transferred to the 60-day IL on Tuesday, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

The Astros placed Ortega on the 15-day injured list at the end of March. The righty found himself facing a recovery timeline of 3-to-4 months after undergoing surgery to remove loose bodies from his right elbow. The 27-year-old is being shifted to the 60-day IL to create a 40-man roster spot for Wander Suero.