MLB Player News

Bautista (2-1) blew a save but earned the win in Friday's 2-1 win over the Tigers. He allowed a run on two hits and struck out one without walking a batter in one inning.

With the run allowed, Bautista's seven-inning scoreless streak came to an end. He's now 5-for-7 in save chances this season after allowing the tying run in the top of the ninth inning, only for the Orioles to produce a walkoff win a half-inning later. The closer has a 1.86 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 17:3 K:BB through 9.2 innings this season.

Smeltzer is scheduled to start the first game of Saturday's doubleheader in Cleveland, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Smeltzer has made both of his appearances for Miami to date out of the bullpen, working four innings on April 10 in Philadelphia and one inning in Wednesday's 5-2 loss to the Giants. Considering Smeltzer threw 23 pitches in that outing and is now taking the hill on just two days' rest, he'll likely be in store for a relatively light workload Saturday even though he's starting. The Marlins are expected to select Jeff Lindgren's contract from Triple-A Jacksonville to have him serve as the 27th man for the twin bill, and he could be tasked with covering the bulk of the innings once Smeltzer exits the contest.

Foley (0-1) allowed a run on two hits while not retiring a batter to take the loss Friday against the Orioles.

Foley worked the bottom of the ninth inning in a 1-1 game and promptly allowed singles to Ryan Mountcastle and Anthony Santander. With runners on first and third, a fielder's choice by Adam Frazier ended the game. Foley has still been solid this year with a 2.25 ERA and a save across nine appearances, though the struggling Detroit offense generally makes the margin of error fairly slim for the pitching staff.

Boston manger Alex Cora said Rodriguez (oblique) threw a bullpen session in Fort Myers (Fla.) on Friday.

Rodriguez has been working his way back from the injury, first throwing off flat ground in early April followed by playing catch up to 75 feet. Presumably, Rodriguez will begin a rehab assignment soon and a May return is likely.

Boston manager Alex Cora estimated Martin (shoulder) will begin playing catch next week.

Martin, who was placed on the injured list retroactive to April 13, is "trending in the right direction," the manager added. The reliever is eligible to come off the IL on April 28, but Martin may not hit that date.

Winckowski allowed one hit and one walk while striking out four over 2.1 scoreless relief innings to earn a hold in Friday's 5-3 win over the Brewers.

Winckowski stranded a runner in the sixth inning and bridged the gap to closer Kenley Jansen. Winckowski has been outstanding out of the bullpen to start the season. The right-hander lowered his ERA to 1.65 and has gobbled up 16.1 innings over eight appearances. The Red Sox currently carry six starters, so his effectiveness in a multi-inning relief role has been valuable.

Faucher didn't factor into the decision in Friday's 8-7 win over the White Sox, giving up three runs on five hits over two innings. He struck out three without walking a batter.

After the Rays jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning, Faucher handed most of it back in the top of the second, giving up four straight hits at one point. The 27-year-old right-hander has been scored upon in five straight appearances split between opening and relief work, leading to a 5.91 ERA and 1.50 WHIP through 10.2 innings with a 9:2 K:BB. Tampa Bay is scrambling to plug holes in its rotation with Zach Eflin (back), Jeffrey Springs (elbow) and Tyler Glasnow (oblique) all on the IL, but Faucher doesn't appear to be a reliable alternative, even working ahead of a bulk reliever.

Alvarado picked up the save during Friday's 4-3 win over the Rockies, striking out zero over a perfect ninth inning.

Alvarado entered with a one-run lead and retired Charlie Blackmon, C.J. Cron and Ryan McMahon in order. The left-hander has put together three consecutive successful save chances after blowing his first opportunity and appears to be separating himself as the top closing option over Seranthony Dominguez and Craig Kimbrel, who've both been relegated to hold situations in their recent appearances.

Sewald picked up the save in Friday's 5-2 victory over the Cardinals. He tossed a perfect inning without any strikeouts.

Sewald has yet to blow a save this year, and he's currently on pace to pass his career high of 20 saves that he set last season. The right-hander's current tally of five saves is tied for fifth-most in the league, and he also sports an elite 0.73 WHIP.

Kahnle (biceps) has been playing catch and expects to throw from a mound within a week, per MLB.com.

Kahnle is dealing with right biceps tendinitis and is on the 60-day IL. The veteran reliever appears to be progressing in his throwing program, however, and moving on to mound work will be a significant step toward a return. Kahnle will likely take his time to ramp up since he isn't eligible to be activated from the injured list until late May.