MLB Player News

Duran picked up the save in Saturday's 9-6 win over the Astros. He struck out the only batter he faced.

After the Twins scored four runs in the bottom of the eighth to extend the lead to 9-4, Jovani Moran gave two back in the top of the ninth to turn it back into a save situation for Minnesota. Duran got the call and was up to the task, striking out Yainer Diaz on three pitches. Jorge Lopez pitched the seventh inning Saturday as the first arm out of the bullpen in relief of starter Joe Ryan. Duran now has two saves this season to Lopez's one.

Diaz (0-1) took the loss in Saturday's 3-2 loss against the Phillies. He allowed three runs on two hits and one walk while striking out three over one-plus inning.

Manager David Bell called upon Diaz in the eighth inning with the top of the Phillies' order due up, and the right-hander struck out the side. However, Diaz looked like a completely different pitcher in the ninth as he went for the two-inning save, allowing two singles, a walk and uncorking a wild pitch before getting the hook. Technically, Ian Gibaut gets the blown save since he allowed the walkoff single. Diaz was well rested, having last pitched April 2. While this won't affect Diaz's standing in the Cincinnati bullpen, Bell may think twice next time about going to the 26-year-old for multiple frames.

Doval (0-1) took the loss Saturday against the Royals while allowing a run on a hit with one strikeout over an inning of work.

The run scored on a wild pitch in the top of the ninth inning, and it gives Doval his first loss of the season. The right-hander has struggled over his first three appearances, allowing a pair of runs in three innings. Doval should still continue to see the majority of save chances despite his slow start to the 2023 season, and it's important to note that Saturday's shaky outing was in a non-save situation.

Chapman picked up the save Saturday against the Giants while striking out two over a perfect inning.

That's the first save of the year for Chapman, and the first he's picked up as a member of the Royals. The left-hander has appeared in four games thus far in 2023, and he's struck out eight hitters over his four innings without allowing a run. It's early, but Chapman looks like the version that made him one of the best closers in baseball not too long ago. It's worth noting that teammate Scott Barlow closed out the Royals' win one day earlier.

Manaea did not factor into the decision Saturday, allowing one run on three hits and one walk over six innings in a 6-5 loss to the Royals. He struck out eight.

Manaea deserved better, but Ross Stripling and the San Francisco bullpen couldn't hold the lead after he exited. The only run Manaea allowed came in the sixth when he gave up a solo home run to Bobby Witt, and outside of that there was very little trouble for the 31-year-old southpaw. Manaea was making his first start of the year after throwing two ineffective innings of relief Monday against the White Sox, and he's forged a 4.50 ERA over his first eight frames of 2023.

Fujinami (0-2) took the loss Saturday, allowing five runs on three hits and four walks with one strikeout over 4.1 innings against Tampa Bay.

The first three innings went well for Fujinami as he kept the red-hot Rays lineup off the board. Things fell apart from there, as he gave up a two-run single to Isaac Paredes in the fourth and a two-run single in the fifth to Randy Arozarena. Another run was charged to him after he left in the fifth. It has not been an impressive first two outings for the right-handed rookie, and he's now the owner of a 17.55 ERA and 2.25 WHIP over his 6.2 innings of work. He's tentatively scheduled for another challenging task next weekend against the Mets.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone told reporters before Saturday's game against the Orioles that Loaisiga (elbow) won't resume throwing for a few weeks, Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News reports.

Boone also told reporters that Loaisiga has swelling in his joint and received an injection, but there's no structural damage. The right-hander will likely need a rehab assignment once cleared to throw, and he probably won't be able to help the New York bullpen until the start of May at the earliest.

Cabrera was recalled from Triple-A Memphis on Saturday, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

The 26-year-old missed out on the Cardinals' Opening Day roster but will join the MLB club Saturday with Packy Naughton (forearm) headed to the injured list. Cabrera made 39 appearances for St. Louis last season and had a 4.63 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 32:30 K:BB over 44.2 innings.

Naughton was placed on the 15-day injured list Saturday with a left forearm strain, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

Naughton exited Friday's loss to the Brewers due to the injury and will be sidelined for at least the next two weeks. Genesis Cabrera was recalled from Triple-A Memphis in a corresponding move.

Zimmermann will miss a turn through Triple-A Norfolk's starting rotation after he received stitches on his right thumb Saturday, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

The laceration and stitches are on his non-throwing hand, so the left-hander may not require a trip to the injured list. Zimmermann has made one appearance for Norfolk this year and allowed two runs on four hits with seven strikeouts and a walk over 4.2 innings.