MLB Player News
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Carmen Mlodzinski RP | PIT
Pirates' Carmen Mlodzinski: Strikes out eight in no-decision
Mlodzinski did not factor into the decision in Sunday's 4-3 extra-inning win over the Mets, allowing two runs on six hits and no walks with eight strikeouts over 4.1 innings.
Mlodzinski threw 55 of 85 pitches for strikes and generated just eight whiffs while mostly keeping the Mets in check. The 27-year-old posted a career-high 99 innings last season working as both a starter and reliever, so he likely won't go deep into games often early in 2026. He's slated for a home matchup against the Orioles next weekend.
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Clayton Beeter RP | WAS
Nationals' Clayton Beeter: Locks down first save
Beeter earned the save Sunday against the Cubs, throwing a clean ninth inning.
Beeter was locked in Sunday, firing each of his six pitches for strikes to nail down the save. The 27-year-old right-hander drew Washington's first save opportunity of the year, suggesting he's at the front of the line when it comes to the closer role. Cole Henry may be in the mix as well, but Beeter could push him back into a setup job with a strong start to the campaign.
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Shota Imanaga SP | CHC
Cubs' Shota Imanaga: Ambushed early in first loss
Imanaga (0-1) took the loss Sunday against the Nationals, allowing four runs on six hits and two walks in five innings. He struck out seven.
The left-hander wasn't sharp to begin his season debut, as he was ambushed by Washington for three runs in the opening frame, but he was at least able to settle in a bit thereafter. Imanaga displayed plenty of swing-and-miss stuff as well, registering an impressive 16 whiffs Sunday. Imanaga will be trying to get back on track in his next scheduled outing, which is set come in Cleveland versus the Guardians next weekend.
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Anthony Kay SP | CHW
White Sox's Anthony Kay: No-decision in first start of 2026
Kay did not factor into Sunday's decision against the Brewers. He allowed two runs on three hits and four walks while striking out five across 4.2 innings.
Kay yielded a two-run homer to Gary Sanchez in the first frame, but the former received plenty of run support from the White Sox through the first three innings of Sunday's game. However, Kay allowed at least two baserunners in three of five innings, running up his pitch count to 92 (54 strikes) before being pulled with two outs in the fifth frame. Kay mostly worked out of the bullpen in his MLB career before serving as a starter in 2024 and 2025 in Nippon Professional Baseball in Japan with the Yokohama Bay Stars. Kay is slated to start next weekend at home against the Blue Jays.
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Ryan Helsley RP | BAL
Orioles' Ryan Helsley: Converts second save
Helsley earned the save in Sunday's 8-6 win over the Twins, allowing one hit while logging a strikeout in a scoreless ninth inning.
Things got a little dicey for Helsley in the ninth inning. After Luke Keaschall led off the frame with a single, the Twins got the tying runs on base with two outs following a Gunnar Henderson error. However, Helsley was able to coax a flyout off the bat of James Outman, preserving the two-run victory while converting his second save in as many chances this season. Helsley has allowed just two hits and no walks while striking out four through his first two innings with the Orioles.
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Emilio Pagan RP | CIN
Reds' Emilio Pagan: Earns first save
Pagan earned the save in Sunday's 3-2 win over the Red Sox, allowing one hit and one walk in a scoreless ninth inning. He did not record a strikeout.
Pagan was summoned to protect a one-run lead in the ninth and worked around a one-out double to slam the door. It was an encouraging rebound after he allowed a homer and blew his first save chance Saturday. The 34-year-old could be unavailable Monday after throwing 34 high-leverage pitches over the past two days.
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Victor Vodnik RP | COL
Rockies' Victor Vodnik: Blows save in first outing of 2026
Vodnik (0-1) blew his save opportunity and took the loss against the Marlins on Sunday. He allowed two runs on three hits while striking out one across one inning.
Vodnik got the call to the mound for the eighth inning with two outs and two on, and he managed to get out of the frame unscathed despite hitting Connor Norby with a pitch to load the bases. Vodnik was brought back out for the ninth, and after getting the first two batters out thanks to a double play, he yielded a double to Javier Sanoja before giving up a walk-off, two-run homer to Owen Caissie. Vodnik was named the Rockies' closer despite a rocky performance in spring training; however, more outings like Sunday's could lead to Rockies manager Warren Schaeffer turning to Juan Mejia to close things out instead of Vodnik.
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Grant Holmes SP | ATL
Braves' Grant Holmes: Falls to Kansas City
Holmes (0-1) took the loss Sunday against the Royals, allowing three runs on five hits and two walks over five innings. He struck out four.
Holmes set down the first six batters he faced Sunday before giving up a run in each of the third, fourth and fifth innings in an eventual 4-1 defeat. The right-hander was stellar in spring training, allowing just two runs in 17.2 innings. Holmes made 21 starts for Atlanta in 2025, posting a 3.99 ERA with a 1.34 WHIP and 123:54 K:BB across 115 innings.
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Jeff Hoffman RP | TOR
Blue Jays' Jeff Hoffman: Secures first save
Hoffman earned the save in Sunday's 5-2 win over the Athletics, allowing one hit and no walks with two strikeouts in a scoreless ninth inning.
Hoffman was called upon to protect a three-run lead in the ninth and threw nine of 10 pitches for strikes to slam the door. It was a nice rebound after the 33-year-old blew his first save chance Friday, and he's racked up six punchouts through two appearances this season.
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Lucas Erceg RP | KC
Royals' Lucas Erceg: Notches save Sunday
Erceg converted a save in Sunday's 4-1 win over Atlanta, striking out one batter while allowing a base hit over a scoreless inning. inducing a game-ending double play ball.
Erceg was pitching on back-to-back days, but threw only 12 pitches on Saturday. Teammate Carlos Estevez blew the save Saturday in spectacular fashion and was unavailable to pitch due to an ankle injury, but he had diminished velocity throughout the spring, and manager Matt Quatraro suggested prior to Sunday's game that Estevez might be on shaky ground as the team's closer. After delivering a relatively stress-free save chance that culminated in a game-ending double play, Erceg is worthy of rostering on speculation in the event he ends up displacing the struggling Estevez in the ninth inning on a more permanent basis.