MLB Player News

Soto walked two but turned in a scoreless eighth inning to earn a hold Friday against the Cubs.

Soto worked the eighth inning with the Pirates up 2-0, setting up Dennis Santana for the save. While Soto has allowed five walks across 8.1 innings, he has allowed only one earned run while racking up 13 strikeouts. Though it looked like he could challenge Santana for saves to begin the season, Soto has now worked in a setup role in consecutive appearances.

Munoz walked two and struck out one in a scoreless and hitless inning to earn the save in Friday's 9-6 win over the Astros.

Munoz hadn't gotten a save chance before Friday, mostly due to the Mariners' underwhelming performance early in the season. He was a little shaky, throwing just 12 of 25 pitches for strikes, but he got the job done. Munoz has allowed three runs (two earned) over five innings this season, scattering three hits and two walks while racking up eight strikeouts. If the Mariners get on track, the save chances should follow for the 27-year-old, who converted 38 of his 45 save opportunities in the 2025 regular season while adding a dominant 1.73 ERA and 1.03 WHIP over 62.1 innings.

Manager Dave Roberts said Friday that Graterol (shoulder) has begun throwing bullpen sessions, Sonja Chen of MLB.com reports.

Graterol began playing catch during the late stages of spring training, and he's now been cleared to throw off a mound for the first time since undergoing surgery on his right shoulder in November 2024. He still has several hurdles to clear before being deemed ready to make his season debut, but he's starting to make significant progress.

Jax picked up a hold Friday against the Yankees. striking out one in a clean sixth inning.

The hold was the first of the year for Jax, who appears to have fallen down the pecking order in the Tampa Bay bullpen. The right-hander had opened the season as the favorite for saves for the Rays, but he's coughed up eight runs (five earned) and blown his two save chances through his first five innings. Bryan Baker has successfully converted the club's past two save opportunities, and Jax could drop even further down the hierarchy once Edwin Uceta (shoulder) is ready to make his season debut.

O'Brien picked up his fourth save Friday against the Red Sox, striking out one in a hitless and scoreless ninth inning.

O'Brien entered in the ninth with a 3-2 lead and set the Red Sox down in order on eight pitches, six of which he threw for strikes. After Ryne Stanek opened the season as St. Louis' closer, O'Brien has recorded four straight saves for the Cardinals. He's yet to allow a run and owns a perfect 8:0 K:BB across 8.1 innings.

Megill (0-2) took the loss Friday against the Nationals, allowing four runs on two hits without recording an out.

With the game tied 3-3, Megill came on for the top of the ninth inning. He hit CJ Abrams with a pitch, allowed a bunt single to Joey Wiemer, surrendered an RBI single to Luis Garcia, threw the ball away on a sacrifice bunt by Jorbit Vivas and then Milwaukee was unable to get an out on a safety squeeze by Drew Millas. After five batters and nine pitches, Megill's night was over. Megill entered play Friday with a 2.25 ERA but now will take an 11.25 ERA and 5:3 K:BB across four innings into his next appearance.

Erceg picked up his fourth save in Friday's 2-0 win over the White Sox with a hitless and scoreless ninth inning.

Erceg needed just 10 pitches to set the White Sox down in order, generating a flyout, groundout and lineout. With Carlos Estevez (foot) on the 15-day IL and struggling badly with diminished results and velocity when healthy, Erceg appears to have a firm grasp on the Royals' closer gig. He's a perfect 4-for-4 in save opportunities and owns a 3.18 ERA and 3:2 K:BB across 5.2 innings.

Woods Richardson (0-2) took the loss against Toronto on Friday, allowing five runs on six hits and one walk while striking out two across four innings.

Woods Richardson was in control through the first three innings of Friday's game and took a 4-0 lead into the fourth. However, that's when things fell apart for the 25-year-old right-hander, who gave up five runs in the inning including a two-run home run to Brandon Valenzuela. Woods Richardson has yet to log a win this season, and through three starts he has a 4.60 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 8:4 K:BB across 15.2 innings. He'll look to earn his first victory of 2026 in his next start, which is slated for next week at home against the Red Sox.

The Twins will place Laweryson on the 15-day injured list Saturday with a right forearm strain, Audra Martin of FanDuel Sports Network North reports.

Since giving up three earned runs in his season debut, Laweryson has allowed just one hit and zero walks while striking out six batters over five innings and recording the first save of his MLB career. Laweryson is one of five Twins relievers with a save this season, so there is still plenty of competition for high-leverage work in Minnesota's bullpen even with the 27-year-old temporarily out of the picture.

Baker earned the save in Friday's 5-3 win over the Yankees, allowing two hits while striking out one batter in a scoreless ninth inning. He did not issue a walk.

Baker got the call to the mound for the ninth inning to protect the Rays' two-run lead. He gave up back-to-back singles to open the frame before the two runners advanced to second and third on a fielder's choice, but Baker was able to escape unscathed after striking out Randal Grichuk and getting Trent Grisham to pop out. Baker has collected two saves and a win over his last three outings and has allowed one run on three hits while striking out seven across five innings to open the season.