MLB Player News

Kimbrel picked up the save during Saturday's win over the Nationals, tossing a perfect inning in which he struck out one.

Kimbrel retired the Nationals in order to secure his eighth save. Despite a robust 5.32 ERA, the veteran right-hander has yet to blow a save chance this season and sports an elite 33:11 K:BB over 24 appearances (22 innings). The 35-year-old continues to operate as Philadelphia's top closer, but he figures to share closing responsibilities when Jose Alvarado (elbow) returns from the injured list.

Strahm did not factor into the decision during Saturday's win over the Phillies, tossing two scoreless innings in which he didn't allow a hit or walk and struck out one.

Strahm operated as the opener behind Dylan Covey, and the former outperformed the latter. In his first season with Philadelphia, Strahm has made 16 appearances (eight starts) and sports a 3.05 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 53:11 K:BB across 41.1 innings. The left-hander has been elite since moving to the bullpen full time, allowing just four runs over his last nine games (14.2 innings) while boasting a 16:3 K:BB. He may continue handling the opener role, but Strahm shouldn't be considered a starter anymore, as he hasn't completed more than two innings since May 2.

The Pirates optioned De Los Santos to Triple-A Indianapolis on Sunday.

De Los Santos will return to the minors following a one-day stint with the big club. He was deployed in relief in Saturday's 4-3 win over St. Louis, retiring two of the three batters he faced on the day. The Pirates selected the contract of right-hander Chase De Jong from Triple-A in a corresponding move.

Sborz (2-2) earned the win over Seattle on Saturday. He struck out two over two scoreless and hitless relief innings.

Sborz entered in the fourth inning after starter Andrew Heaney left with none out and the bases loaded. The righty reliever struck out the first batter he faced before giving up a run on a groundout. Sborz has not been immune to recent bullpen struggles but has put together two consecutive strong appearances in which he's struck out four of nine batters without allowing a hit.

Williams picked up the save during Saturday's 10-8 win over Cincinnati, tossing a scoreless inning in which he allowed zero hits and two walks while striking out three.

Jake Cousins started the ninth with a four-run lead but allowed the first three batters to reach and failed to record an out, so Williams came on to finish the job. The closer's command was a bit shaky, but he still shut the door on Cincinnati's comeback by striking out the side. Williams is a perfect 10-for-10 in save opportunities this year and sports a 0.46 ERA, 0.86 WHIP and 26:9 K:BB across 19 appearances (19.2 innings).

Bednar gave up a hit in a scoreless ninth inning Saturday to record his 12th save of the season in a 4-3 win over the Cardinals. He didn't walk or strike out a batter.

The right-hander failed to fan a batter for only the second time in his last 16 appearances, but he still got the job done. Bednar has been one of baseball's top closers to begin 2023, converting 12 of 13 save chances with a 1.17 ERA, 0.74 WHIP and 29:1 K:BB through 23 innings, and with the Pirates currently in contention for a division title in a wide-open NL Central, trade chatter around the 28-year-old has died down considerably even with arbitration approaching this winter.

Jansen (1-3) gave up a hit and struck out the side in a scoreless ninth inning during the first game of Saturday's doubleheader, recording his 12th save of the season, but he then gave up two runs on three hits and a walk in the second game to get tagged with the loss.

All told, the veteran closer tossed 43 pitches (26 strikes) across both games, so Jansen will likely be unavailable for a couple days to recuperate should Boston have any late leads to protect. The right-hander has been a solid addition to the Red Sox bullpen this season, posting a 3.86 ERA and 22:12 K:BB through 18.2 innings while converting 12 of 15 save chances, but the team's lack of reliable high-leverage options to support him is beginning to take its toll -- Jansen's allowed multiple runs in three of his last eight appearances.

Adam recorded his eighth save of the season in the second game of Saturday's doubleheader against the Red Sox, walking one in a scoreless ninth inning.

With Pete Fairbanks (hip) continuing to have trouble staying healthy, Adam has been the most reliable arm in the Rays' bullpen this season. The 31-year-old righty has gone 8-for-10 on save chances since the beginning of May with a 23:6 K:BB through 14 innings, but if Tampa Bay looks outside the organization and trades for a high-leverage arm or two, Adam could find himself back in a fireman role similar to last year's when he wound up with 21 holds and eight saves despite elite ratios.

Iglesias allowed a hit in a scoreless inning, earning the save in Saturday's 5-2 win over Arizona.

Iglesias had no trouble protecting a three-run lead. He's been solid over the last two-plus weeks, allowing just one unearned run, two hits and four walks over his last 7.1 innings. The closer is at a 3.38 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 11:5 K:BB with six saves in seven chances through 12 appearances.

Soriano picked up the save Saturday against the Athletics. He allowed one run on four hits and two walks while striking out three over three innings.

Soriano was called upon for three innings of work after being promoted from Jacksonville on Friday, entering the game in the seventh inning with nine runs of cushion and closing out the rout to earn his first career save. After making three appearances (seven innings) in April as a middle reliever and posting a 2.57 ERA, the 24-year-old could receive an extended look with Matt Barnes (hip) on the 15-day injured list.