MLB Player News

Suarez earned a save against the Cubs on Monday, striking out two batters in a perfect ninth inning.

The Padres put up nine runs from the sixth through eighth innings to carry a one-run lead into the ninth, and they turned to Suarez to try to nail down the comeback victory. The right-hander had little trouble doing so, striking out a batter to start and end the frame and needing just 14 pitches to retire the side in order. Suarez wasn't a certainly to work as the closer this season for San Diego coming into spring camp, but he looks to have a firm hold on the role at this point, tying for the league lead with four saves while allowing just one run and posting an 8:3 K:BB over six innings.

Bird recorded one out to earn a save over Arizona on Monday.

Bird entered the game with two outs and the bases jammed in a 7-5 game and forced Eugenio Suarez to fly out after Nick Mears couldn't finish off the inning. Bird has one save and a hold while registering a 5.14 ERA through seven innings this season. Justin Lawrence picked up a hold with a scoreless eighth inning.

Henley was optioned to Triple-A Sugar Land following Monday's game against the Rangers, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Henley got knocked around during Monday's brief start, as he recorded one out and surrendered five runs before being lifted. He'll now return to the minors where he figures to serve as starting pitching depth.

Henley allowed five runs on four hits and three walks but did not factor in the decision Monday. He recorded just one out in the win over Houston.

Henley was given a rude welcome in the MLB debut; he put seven straight Rangers on base before finally recording an out. Fortunately for him, Houston's offense racked up 10 runs to prevent him from getting the loss. Henley will likely head back to the minors after Monday's spot start.

Hoffman (1-0) allowed two runs on two hits and a walk in one inning Monday. He struck out one, blew a save chance and earned a win over the Phillies.

Hoffman coughed up the 3-1 lead in the ninth inning after Jose Alvarado worked a clean eighth but the Phillies quickly took the lead back in the 10th to get Hoffman the victory. Hoffman had turned in 4.1 scoreless frames prior to Monday's hiccup. As of now, Alvarado still appears to be the team's top ninth-inning option.

Soto allowed one hit in a scoreless frame Monday, striking out two and earning a save over the Cardinals.

Soto was in a first-and-third jam with just one out but punched out Nolan Gorman and Nolan Arenado to close out the 5-3 win in the 10th inning. This came after Jeff Hoffman blew a save chance in the ninth. Soto now has a save and two holds with a 5:0 K:BB through 3.2 shutout frames.

Diaz picked up the save Monday against Milwaukee. He pitched a scoreless inning, allowing one walk and no hits, with no strikeouts.

Diaz entered the ninth inning with a two-run lead but didn't pitch as cleanly as his line looks. Not only did he walk Christian Yelich in the inning, but he also beaned Sal Frelick before wrapping up the save with a Rhys Hoskins flyball. Diaz remains the main saves option in Cincinnati despite his rocky start with a 7.20 ERA and 1.60 WHIP over his first five appearances.

Wentz logged two scoreless innings of relief with two strikeouts in Monday's loss to the Pirates, and he now has a 1.69 ERA across three appearances this season.

It's a small sample size of just 5.1 total innings, but Wentz has pitched well, pairing a 1.13 WHIP and six strikeouts with the strong ERA. The southpaw has retired more than three batters in all of his outings so far, so it looks like he'll be trusted as a long reliever moving forward. It's not the most fantasy-friendly role, though Wentz could steal a few wins here and there.

Banks (0-1) was saddled with his first loss, allowing one run on two hits over 2.1 innings during Monday's 4-0 defeat to the Guardians. He struck out five.

Banks served as the opener and showed very well as he threw 43 pitches and worked into the third inning while recording all five outs by way of the strikeout. Banks' previous two outings only lasted one inning each and totaled 40 pitches, but the White Sox allowed him to top that combined total during Monday's loss. The pitch count was not entirely unfamiliar territory for Banks, who worked as many as four innings last season, topping 50 pitches in seven outings.

Merryweather (ribs/back) underwent additional testing Monday and it was determined that he is dealing with a rib stress fracture in his back, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Merryweather was placed on the 15-day injured list Sunday with a right shoulder strain, but manager Craig Counsell announced his updated injury status Monday, stating that the right hander will be shut down from throwing for four weeks. Merryweather is now set to be on the shelf well past the minimum stay on the IL and in the meantime, Daniel Palencia will likely stick around the major-league bullpen.