MLB Player News

Smith worked a perfect ninth inning to record his sixth save of the season in Wednesday's 5-3 win over the Nationals.

The lefty needed only 12 pitches (eight strikes) to breeze through a trio of Nats that included Juan Soto and Trea Turner. Smith has yet to blow a save this season, and he sports a 3.00 ERA and 16:7 K:BB through 12 innings.

Yarbrough (2-3) earned the win against the Angels on Wednesday, pitching four innings and allowing one run on five hits and two walks while striking out three.

Yarbrough worked as the primary pitcher in the contest, entering the game in the third inning following a pair of scoreless frames by opener Andrew Kittredge. Yarbrough tossed 65 pitches in his four innings, throwing 40 for strikes and limiting Los Angeles to a lone third-inning run. The outing was the left-hander's shortest of the campaign, as he had tossed at least five frames in each of his previous six appearances. He'll carry a 4.58 ERA and 29:8 K:BB into his next appearance, though it's unclear whether that will again come as a primary pitcher or if he'll switch back to a traditional starting role.

Wittgren (2-1) earned the win Wednesday against the Royals after pitching a scoreless inning with three strikeouts.

Wittgren tossed 10 of his 17 pitches for strikes en route to his second win of the campaign, and he struck out the side -- retiring Jorge Soler, Hunter Dozier and Ryan O'Hearn in order. The 29-year-old righty has recorded a victory in each of his last two outings while extending his streak of scoreless appearances to four. He owns a 5.79 ERA across 9.1 innings.

Karinchak recorded his third save of the season Wednesday against the Royals after pitching a scoreless ninth inning with two strikeouts.

Karinchak tossed nine of his 14 pitches for strikes and didn't have problems slamming the door on Kansas City with a dominant ninth-inning performance. The right-hander has gone 3-for-4 in save opportunities this campaign but has converted his last three while also giving up just one run all season long -- that translates to a 0.64 ERA across 14 innings.

Melancon picked up his 11th save of the season Wednesday against the Pirates. He pitched a scoreless ninth inning, allowing one hit with no walks or strikeouts.

Melancon began the season with six straight scoreless appearances before giving up a run, and now he's recorded seven straight scoreless outings while cementing his place as one of the best relievers in the NL right now. Melancon has a 14:1 K:BB through 15 innings while going 11-for-11 in save opportunities in 2021.

Bard gave up an unearned run with two strikeouts and two walks during the ninth inning to record the save Wednesday versus San Francisco.

The 35-year-old walked the first two batters he faced, and he allowed an unearned run when catcher Dom Nunez committed a throwing error while attempting to foil a stolen-base attempt. Bard picked up the save without surrendering an earned run, but it's hardly an encouraging performance as he threw only 15 of 30 pitches for strikes. He's converted three of five save chances and has an 8.10 ERA, 2.30 WHIP and 13:7 K:BB through 10 innings this season.

Underwood (1-1) was tagged with the loss in relief Wednesday against the Padres after allowing two runs (one earned) on two hits and a strikeout across one inning.

Underwood pitched the sixth inning but he did himself no favors by putting the first two men he faced on before recording an out. He limited the damage to two runs, yet that was more than enough for him to get tagged with his first loss of the campaign. Underwood owns a 3.94 ERA across 12 appearances, but the fact that he has given up two or more runs in two of his last three outings is somewhat concerning.

Double-A Altoona manager Miguel Perez said Bolton is facing a "long-term" absence after suffering a knee injury during a recent workout, Mike Persak of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

The minor-league season started this week, but the right-hander will open the campaign on the injured list with the knee issue. Bolton should be considered out indefinitely until more information is available on the injury.

Alzolay allowed two earned runs on three hits and one walk while striking out seven across five innings Wednesday against the Dodgers. He did not factor into the decision.

Alzolay surrendered a run in each of his last two innings, but he was otherwise excellent during the outing. He racked up 12 swinging strikes on only 79 total pitches to back up his seven strikeouts. More importantly, after posting a 4.6 BB/9 across his first 33.2 innings in the majors across the last two seasons, Alzolay has walked only seven batters while striking out 30 over 26 frames to begin the current campaign. He's in line to draw his next start Tuesday at Cleveland.

Reyes pitched a perfect seventh inning, striking out one to record the save during a win over the Mets in Game 1 of a doubleheader Wednesday.

Reyes' nine saves tie him with Ian Kennedy for second in all of baseball. The 26-year-old is always a risk to issue multiple free passes, but even with 12 walks in 15.1 innings, he is a perfect 9-for-9 in save situations.