MLB Player News

Faucher (0-1) took the loss Wednesday, giving up one run on one hit and two walks over two innings as the Rays fell 1-0 to the Astros. He struck out one.

Houston plated a run in the top of the first inning thanks in part to a wild pitch and an error, and that proved to be the game's only bit of offense, saddling Faucher with the loss. The right-hander gave way to Josh Fleming after 43 pitches (23 strikes), and there's no guarantee Faucher continues to see regular work as an opener ahead of the southpaw given his struggles. Through 12.2 innings this season, he has a 5.68 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 10:4 K:BB, and he's been scored upon in six straight appearances.

Almonte allowed four runs on two hits and one walk over 1.1 innings against the Pirates on Wednesday.

Almonte entered the game with the Dodgers in a jam in the sixth inning, inheriting a two-on, one-out situation. He escaped by inducing a double play, but the right-hander was less effective in the following frame. He allowed four hitters to reach base, and all four came around to score, though two crossed the plate after Almonte departed. The veteran reliever has been charged with multiple runs in three of his 12 outings this season, including in two of his past three trips to the mound.

Pressly worked a perfect ninth inning Wednesday to record his second save of the season in a 1-0 win over the Rays. He didn't walk or strike out a batter.

The right-hander fired eight of 10 pitches for strikes and showed no signs of injury or fatigue as he pitched on the second straight day for only the second time in 2023. The Astros have taken it easy on Pressly to begin the season and Bryan Abreu had collected the Astros' last two saves, but as long as he's healthy, Pressly should be the team's primary option in the ninth. The 34-year-old has a 4.35 ERA, 0.77 WHIP and 8:2 K:BB through 10.1 innings.

Chafin walked one and struck out one in a scoreless ninth inning Wednesday to record his fourth save of the season in a 2-0 win over the Royals.

The lefty continued his impressive start to the season, as Chafin has been scored upon in only one of his first 12 appearances so far. That one outing did result in his only blown save in five chances, but he still appears to be solidifying his hold on the closer role for Arizona, posting a 2.61 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 15:5 K:BB through 10.1 innings.

Yarbrough (0-3) took the loss Wednesday as the Royals were downed 2-0 by the Diamondbacks, allowing one run on four hits and a walk over four innings. He struck out two.

The southpaw wasn't fully stretched out and lasted only 77 pitches (51 strikes) in his first start of the season, but Yarbrough did a solid job even if he did get out-dueled by a red-hot Zac Gallen. Yarbrough figures to stick in the rotation at least until Daniel Lynch (shoulder) is ready to return, but his 6.35 ERA and 7:4 K:BB through 17 innings to begin the season don't hint at much fantasy upside. He'll try to last long enough to qualify for his first win of 2023 in his next outing, likely to come at home early next week against the Orioles.

Headrick was optioned to Triple-A St. Paul by the Twins on Thursday.

Headrick was needed for five innings of relief Wednesday, so Minnesota opted to send him down since he won't be available for a few days. The club has yet to announce a corresponding roster move.

Hernandez (0-1) allowed two runs on two hits and did not retire a batter, picking up his first loss in Wednesday's game against the Reds.

Texas was swept by Cincinnati in a series that featured shaky bullpen performances. The relief crew had been strong for the Rangers, but on three consecutive days, several members of the group allowed the Reds to take leads in the eighth inning or later, including two walkoff wins. Hernandez entered the day with a 1.80 ERA over his first 10 outings before Nick Senzel's game-ending, two-run home run.

McGough retired both batters faced to earn a hold in Wednesday's 2-0 win over Kansas City.

McGough stranded an inherited runner from starter Zac Gallen to pick up his fifth hold and second in as many outings. After he was given opportunities to close games, McGough appears to be settling in as part of the setup crew along with Miguel Castro as the bridge to closer Andrew Chafin. McGough is chipping away at a high ERA that stood at 9.64 after a blown save two weeks ago. Since then, he's allowed one run on two hits while striking out six over seven innings.

Doval picked up a save against the Cardinals on Wednesday, walking one batter and keeping St. Louis off the scoreboard over two-thirds of an inning.

It didn't look like Doval would be needed with San Francisco up 7-2 entering the ninth, but Sean Hjelle gave up two walks and a double to yield a run and allow the tying run to get to the on-deck circle with just one out. Doval was summoned from the bullpen and walked Lars Nootbaar to begin his outing, but he escaped the jam by getting Paul Goldschmidt to bounce into a game-ending double play. Doval's performance earned him his third save of the campaign, two of which have come over his past three appearances.

Hader earned a save against the Cubs on Wednesday, allowing one hit and one walk while striking out one batter over one scoreless inning.

Hader entered the contest in the ninth inning with San Diego up by two runs. He registered two outs before Chicago made things interesting with a double and a walk to bring the winning run to the plate. However, Hader was able to get Nico Hoerner to foul out to end the threat. The veteran closer has been lights-out this season, allowing just one earned run over 12 appearances covering 12 innings. He's also notched a 17:5 K:BB and leads MLB with nine saves.