MLB Player News

Smith (1-1) took the loss Sunday, giving up one run on one hit, one walk and one HBP in the eighth inning as the Mets fell 5-4 to the Giants. He struck out one.

Called in to keep the game tied at 4-4, Smith instead got tagged for a one-out double by Mike Yastrzemski that brought home the game-winning run. Despite the stumble, the right-hander has been solid in a high-leverage role for the Mets to begin the season, recording six holds in 11 appearances with a 2.79 ERA and 13:6 K:BB through 9.2 innings.

Smith allowed one hit and struck out one to record his second save in Sunday's 5-2 win over Oakland.

With a couple of left-handed batters due up in the ninth inning, Texas manager Bruce Bochy had Smith warming up to close out the game instead of a rested Jose Leclerc. Smith has been reliable in whichever role Bochy wants, so more save chances can be expected. The lefty reliever has allowed two runs on four hits and three walks while striking out 10 over 8.1 innings.

Fairbanks struck out one and did not allow a hit in a shutout ninth inning to earn the save in a 4-1 win over the White Sox on Sunday.

Fairbanks pitched for the second time in as many days and was able to send the White Sox down with 13 pitches. The 29-year-old has been nearly untouchable in the early going. He currently boasts a 0.00 ERA, 0.86 WHIP and a 5:3 K:BB over seven innings. Saves have been hard to come by with the Rays dominating the competition so far, but Fairbanks has been the team's best reliever and seems to be the ninth-inning guy for manager Kevin Cash.

Duran struck out one and did not give up a hit in a scoreless ninth Sunday against the Nationals to secure his fifth save of the season.

Duran sent all three batters down in 12 pitches in what was his first save since April 14. The 25-year-old flamethrower has held opponents scoreless in six of his eight outings, and now sits at a 2.45 ERA, 0.82 WHIP and a 10:2 K:BB over 7.1 innings.

Alexander (2-0) pitched a perfect inning and earned the win in Sunday's 5-4 victory over the Mets.

Alexander got three groundouts to set down the Mets in order in the top of the eighth inning. A Mike Yastrzemski double put the Giants ahead in the bottom of the frame. Through 10 appearances, Alexander has allowed just two runs on eight hits over 9.1 innings, good for a 1.93 ERA and 0.86 WHIP. He has neither significant strikeout stuff nor a clear high-leverage role, but he's been effective when called upon. With Taylor Rogers shaky early in the season, there's a path for Alexander to serve as a key southpaw in the late innings.

Akin (1-1) issued two intentional walks and struck out one in a scoreless and hitless inning to earn the extra-inning win over the Tigers on Sunday.

Akin issued intentional walks to right-handed hitters in Eric Haase and Spencer Torkelson, and the strategy paid off. The Orioles southpaw was able to get lefty hitters Zach McKinstry and Nick Maton out to end a bases-loaded threat before Baltimore won with Adam Frazier darting home on a wild pitch in the bottom of the 10th inning. Akin has had his struggles in a low-leverage role, pitching to a 6.75 ERA, 1.88 WHIP and 5:2 K:BB across 5.1 innings. He also has one hold.

Estevez picked up the save in Sunday's 4-3 win over the Royals with a perfect inning.

Estevez picked up his third save of the season Sunday, retiring all three batters he faced on just six total pitches. He has allowed just one hit and no runs in his last three appearances combined.

Doval struck out two batters in a perfect inning to earn a save over the Mets on Sunday.

Doval quickly mowed through three Mets with just nine pitches to finish off the 5-4 victory. It was his first save chance since his season debut April 1. Doval lowered his ERA to 3.00 with a 13:5 K:BB across nine innings this season.

Long was traded from the Giants to the Athletics on Sunday in exchange for cash considerations.

Long was designated for assignment by San Francisco on Wednesday, but he'll have an opportunity to carve out a role with the Athletics. The southpaw began the season at Triple-A Sacramento and posted a 9.90 ERA and 1.90 WHIP in 10 innings over four relief appearances, and it wouldn't be surprising to see him head to Triple-A Las Vegas to begin his time with his new club.

Hader struck out one batter in a perfect inning and earned a save over Arizona on Sunday.

Hader needed just 10 pitches to put the Diamondbacks down Sunday. The elite closer has been his usual self in 2023, posting a 0.82 ERA with a 16:4 K:BB through 11 frames. Hader has turned in six straight scoreless outings and has now converted each of his eight save opportunities.