MLB Player News

Assad surrendered six earned runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out two batters across 2.1 innings of relief in Saturday's 12-4 loss to the Dodgers.

Assad made his second consecutive appearance out of the bullpen, after he had started in each of his first three outings of the season and yielded 10 earned runs over 15.2 innings. Following Matthew Boyd's recent return from the injured list, the Cubs opted to keep Colin Rea in the rotation over Assad as their fifth starter, but Assad ended up being thrust into action Saturday in long relief of Rea, who was chased midway through the fourth inning. Assad didn't fare any better while mopping up behind Rea and now holds a 7.58 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 11:6 K:BB across 19 innings on the campaign.

Baumler (intercostal) allowed one run on two hits over one inning in a rehab appearance at Triple-A Round Rock last Wednesday.

Baumler's fastball touched 97 mph during the outing, per MLB.com, which is encouraging. The Rangers want the right-hander to throw on back-to-back days before he rejoins the club.

Bradford (elbow) experienced a setback in his throwing program and will be shut down for at least a few days, MLB.com reports.

The Rangers are hoping Bradford can throw plyo balls this week. The left-hander threw 27 pitches in an appearance at Triple-A Round Rock on April 2 but hasn't pitched since as he makes his way back from June 2025 elbow surgery.

Zerpa (0-2) was tagged with the loss Saturday against the Pirates after allowing three runs (one earned) on one hit and one walk across two-thirds of an inning. He struck out one.

Zerpa entered for the 10th inning but never really found his footing, recording just two outs on 16 pitches (10 strikes). The left-hander has allowed runs in all but two of his last eight outings. Even though he's recorded two saves this year, Zerpa's 6.39 ERA and 1.74 WHIP through 12.2 innings taints any fantasy upside.

Ramirez earned the save Saturday against the Brewers after tossing a scoreless 10th inning, striking out two.

Dennis Santana worked the eighth inning and Gregory Soto the ninth, leaving Ramirez to handle the save chance once the Pirates took a lead in the top of the 10th. The right-hander tossed 10 of his 15 pitches for strikes, retiring William Contreras with a groundout before fanning Jake Bauers and Tyler Black. Ramirez has struck out at least two in five of his last seven appearances, and he seems to be getting back on track after allowing four runs (two earned) during a two-outing stretch in mid-April. Ramirez has a 2.04 ERA and a 19:9 K:BB across 17.2 innings in 12 appearances in 2026, but he has two wins and just one hold in addition to Saturday's save.

Soto (2-0) earned the win in relief Saturday against the Brewers after tossing a scoreless ninth inning, striking out one.

Soto needed 14 pitches (nine strikes) to get the job done in the bottom of the ninth inning, and he was credited with the win after the Pirates scored three runs in the top of the 10th. It was a bounce-back performance after the lefty surrendered two earned runs in his previous outing Wednesday Soto has posted eight scoreless outings over his last nine appearances and owns an excellent 1.98 ERA over 13.2 innings in 2026. He and Dennis Santana should continue to split closing duties for Pittsburgh.

Cruz (2-0) earned the win over the Astros on Saturday after not allowing a run over two-thirds of an inning, walking one and striking out two.

Cruz recorded the final two outs of the sixth inning. Even though he walked Jose Altuve as soon as he entered the game, he bounced back by striking out Christian Walker and Yainer Diaz. Cruz had given up at least one run in his previous two relief appearances, so this was a nice bounce-back performance for the right-hander. Still, given his recent inconsistencies and the role he's filling in the bullpen right now, his fantasy upside is limited.

Ragans (1-4) earned the win Saturday against the Angels, striking out 11 and allowing one run on five hits and no walks over six innings

Ragans earned his first win of the season Saturday while posting his third quality start of the campaign, and he achieved this by punching out a season-high 11 batters. Ragans has a 5.00 ERA in 27 innings this year, although that ERA is inflated by his previous start, during which he allowed seven runs across 4.1 innings against the Yankees. Ragans will try to keep it rolling in his next start, which should be scheduled for next weekend on the road against the Mariners.

Varland blew the save Saturday against the White Sox, allowing no runs on one hit and no walks in the eighth inning. He struck out one.

Although it was Varland who was charged with the blown save, both of Chicago's two runs scored in the eighth frame went against Mitchell Parker, who allowed back-to-back baserunners to open the inning. Varland has been working his way into a tandem at closer with Clayton Beeter, and Saturday's showing shouldn't affect his status in the Nationals' bullpen. Through 10.1 innings, Varland has a 3.48 ERA, 1.55 WHIP and 12:3 K:BB while converting two his four save chances.

Latz earned the save in Saturday's 4-3 win over the Athletics, striking out one in a perfect ninth inning.

Latz was called upon to protect a one-run lead in the ninth inning and did so on 14 pitches. Jakob Junis, who had appeared to be the Rangers' preferred option for saves, was used in the eighth. The 30-year-old Latz owns a 1.23 ERA, 0.48 WHIP and 13:3 K:BB across 14.2 innings with one save and two holds, and it appears manager Skip Schumaker will operate with a ninth-inning committee for the time being.