MLB Player News

Mantiply allowed one run on one hit while striking out one over 1.1 innings in Tuesday's 8-7 win over the Cardinals.

Mantiply was activated off the injured list earlier in the day and made his season debut in what was low-leverage spot -- the Diamondbacks were leading, 7-3, at the time. The lefty later gave up a home run to Willson Contreras. Mantiply has been very good at keeping balls in the park since joining Arizona, giving up just seven homers over 102 innings (0.7 HR/9) entering the 2023 season. He was an All Star in 2022 and is expected to be part of the trusted, high-leverage relief crew.

Wantz (1-0) earned the win over the Yankees on Tuesday, striking out two and walking one while allowing no hits over 1.2 innings of relief.

Wantz entered the game in the fourth with one out and the bases loaded and walked home a run before allowing a second to score on a sacrifice fly. Both runs were charged to starter Jose Suarez. Wantz then retired the next four batters he faced to put him in line for the win with the Angels up 5-2 after the fifth inning. The 27-year-old has made five appearances thus far and has yet to give up an earned run while sporting an 8:1 K:BB over 8.1 innings.

Lopez struck out three batters in 1.1 perfect innings to record his third save of the season in a 3-0 win over the Phillies during the second game of Tuesday's doubleheader.

The right-hander wrapped up a combined one-hit shutout for the White Sox, topping out at 99.8 mph with his fastball on his final pitch as he struck out Trea Turner. Lopez stumbled out of the gate this season, but he appears to be finding his footing, fanning multiple batters in five of his last six appearances. With Liam Hendriks (illness) still lacking a target date for his return, Lopez will continue to hold down the fort in the ninth inning for Chicago.

Alvarado struck out two in a perfect ninth inning during the first game of Tuesday's doubleheader against the White Sox, recording his first save of the season in a 7-4 win.

The Phillies' bullpen was outstanding in the matinee, as Gregory Soto, Craig Kimbrel, Seranthony Dominguez and Alvarado each fanned two in perfect innings of relief. Alvarado has been the best of the high-leverage quartet in the early going, striking out multiple batters in seven straight appearances and posting a stunning 18:0 K:BB through 7.1 innings to go along with his 1.23 ERA and three holds. No Philadelphia hurler has more than one save yet, but the southpaw appears to be staking a claim to being the team's relief ace, if not its full-time closer.

Junis (2-1) allowed three runs on six hits and no walks while striking out one over 2.2 innings, taking the loss Tuesday versus the Marlins.

Junis was responsible for Jazz Chisholm's three-run home run in the fourth inning, and the Giants' offense didn't bounce back from it. With starter Alex Wood (hamstring) likely headed for the injured list, one of Junis or Ross Stripling, who both pitched Tuesday, should get a look in the rotation. Stripling is a bit more stretched out, having covered 12.1 innings over four games compared to Junis' 12.2 innings in five appearances. Junis has struggled to a 4.26 ERA, 1.82 WHIP and 12:5 K:BB this season while filling a swingman role.

Lopez threw a scoreless sixth inning with a strikeout Tuesday against the Red Sox. He's thrown 7.2 scoreless innings with eight strikeouts and no walks this season.

Lopez is having an outstanding start to the season, with the only negative being that Jhoan Duran looks like the primary closer. Lopez does have one save, but so far it looks like he'll be used to close games only when the latter is unavailable rather than more of a committee. Still, manager Rocco Baldelli has managed his bullpen without regard for the save statistic in the past.

Moran (0-1) blew a save chance in the 10th inning and took the loss Tuesday against the Red Sox. He allowed three runs (two earned) on three hits and one walk while striking out one over two-thirds of an inning.

Moran was called on to finish the game after Minnesota's top bullpen arms (Jorge Lopez, Griffin Jax, Jhoan Duran) had been used earlier in a tie game. Moran has struggled this season by allowing six earned runs in seven innings (7.71 ERA). Although he has nine strikeouts, he also has five walks. Moran struggled with walks in the minors before improving his control last season (11% walk rate), so his slow start is a concern.

Bautista picked up the save Tuesday against Washington, allowing one hit in a scoreless ninth inning to secure a 1-0 win.

Bautista closed out the Orioles' shutout, allowing just a two-out single to Luis Garcia before picking up his fifth save. Bautista hasn't allowed an earned run since Opening Day and has now lowered his ERA to 1.04. He's 1-1 with 16:3 K:BB and a 1.04 WHIP through 8.2 innings this season.

Puk picked up the save Tuesday against the Giants. He allowed one hit while striking out two in a scoreless ninth inning.

Puk worked around Wilmer Flores' leadoff single, striking out a pair to secure his third save of the season and his second in as many days. The left-hander has pitched seven consecutive scoreless innings since allowing a run in his first outing of the season. Puk appears to have claimed the lead closing job in Miami, with Dylan Floro pitching the eighth Tuesday. The 27-year-old Puk is 1-0 with a 1.13 ERA, 0.88 WHIP and 8:1 K:BB through eight innings to start the year.

Karinchak (0-3) allowed a run on one hit over one inning, taking the loss in Game 1 of Tuesday's doubleheader versus the Tigers.

Karinchak got the last out of the eighth inning and two more outs in the ninth before giving up a walkoff solo shot to Kerry Carpenter. Prior to Tuesday, Karinchak had a five-inning scoreless streak that made it seem like he'd gotten his earlier struggles out of the way. He has a 5.00 ERA and 1.11 WHIP through nine innings, though his 15:3 K:BB is an encouraging component of an otherwise lackluster line.