MLB Player News

Smith picked up the save Sunday against the Cubs. He struck out one over a perfect inning.

Smith shut the door in Sunday's low-scoring affair, retiring the side in order in the 10th inning to secure his first career save and a Giants victory. The right-hander's save opportunity came about with Caleb Kilian, Erik Miller and Keaton Winn already having been deployed in the seventh, eighth and ninth innings, respectively. Smith likely won't see save chances regularly, though the 26-year-old could work his way into more high-leverage opportunities if he continues to pitch well.

Assad allowed a hit and a walk while striking out five over 6.1 scoreless innings of relief in Sunday's 2-1 loss to San Francisco.

With Jameson Taillon (hamstring) exiting with no outs in the second inning, Assad was called upon to eat innings and did so brilliantly. His five strikeouts marked a season high, and the right-hander now owns a 4.73 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 19:8 K:BB across 32.1 innings over nine appearances (three starts). If Taillon requires a stint on the injured list, Assad is a logical candidate to step into the rotation.

Manaea (1-1) earned the win Sunday against San Diego. He allowed two runs on four hits and a walk while striking out three over four innings of bulk relief.

Entering after an inning from opener Huascar Brazoban, Manaea was generally able to stay out of trouble, except for a two-run homer surrendered to Freddy Fermin in the fifth inning. The southpaw logged 66 pitches (39 strikes) in what was his second appearance since joining the New York rotation after operating exclusively as a reliever to open the season. Over his past seven outings, Manaea owns a 3.43 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 22:7 K:BB across 21 innings. The 34-year-old is tentatively slated to next take the ball Friday against Atlanta and could once again operate behind an opener.

Munoz (3-4) blew the save and took the loss against the Tigers on Sunday, allowing two runs on one hit and two walks in two-thirds of an inning.

Munoz came in for the ninth inning to protect Seattle's 4-3 lead. He got the first batter he faced out but proceeded to walk the next two before yielding a two-run single to Kevin McGonigle. It was the fifth blown save of the season for Munoz, three of which have come over his last four save opportunities, and he now has a 5.40 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 35:9 K:BB across 23.1 innings. The Mariners may have to look into turning closing duties over to Jose Ferrer or Matt Brash if Munoz continues to struggle.

Drohan (3-1) earned the win Sunday at Colorado, allowing three runs on five hits and one walk while striking out four across 6.1 innings.

The rookie left-hander entered the outing without ever pitching beyond 4.1 innings in the majors, yet he worked into the seventh and finished with a career-high 83 pitches while recording his first career quality start. The increased workload is an encouraging development for a young pitcher still building innings. Drohan now owns a 3.11 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 37:11 K:BB on the season, and he is next scheduled for a home matchup against the Phillies.

Vest (2-4) pitched a scoreless inning of relief to earn the win in Sunday's 5-4 victory over the Mariners. He allowed a hit and struck out one.

Vest worked through the top of the ninth inning on 10 pitches, then secured his second win of the year when the Tigers scored twice in the bottom half to turn a 4-3 deficit into a 5-4 win. The veteran righty has had a bumpy season, and a five-run outing back on May 26 is a big reason he's sitting with an inflated 6.53 ERA. However, with Kenley Jansen (pelvis) on the injured list, Vest is Detroit's most experienced healthy reliever, and he should continue to see high-leverage work as a result.

Bowlan allowed one hit and no walks in two scoreless innings of relief Sunday against the White Sox. He struck out three.

With the Phillies nursing a 9-5 lead Sunday, Bowlan recorded the game's final six outs on just 19 pitches. The 29-year-old right-hander has seen very little high-leverage work in 2026, posting a 3.98 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 21:4 K:BB with one hold and no saves across 20.1 innings.

O'Brien secured the save Sunday against the Reds, allowing no runs on one hit and no walks in the ninth inning. He struck out one.

O'Brien did let the possible tying run get to the plate, but he was able to hang on for the save courtesy of a Blake Dunn flyout. The 31-year-old right-hander has been shaky at times as St. Louis' closer, though he's now collected three saves in a row and ranks second in the National League behind only Mason Miller in saves. Through 29.1 frames, O'Brien has a 3.68 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 31:7 K:BB while converting 17 of his 21 save chances.

Erceg secured the save Sunday against the Twins, allowing no runs on two hits and no walks in two-thirds of an inning.

The Royals first turned to Beck Way to close out a 6-1 game in the ninth inning, but the hurler ended up giving up four runs to create a save opportunity. Erceg did surrender a pair of singles Sunday, though he eventually got Brooks Lee to fly out and extinguish the fire. Erceg, who has fallen into a closer committee with Kansas City due to his MLB-worst six blown saves, has a 6.00 ERA, 1.96 WHIP and 21:16 K:BB with 12 saves across 24 frames.

Curvelo was optioned to Triple-A Round Rock after Sunday's 10-0 win over Cleveland.

Curvelo will head back to the Triple-A level after being called up June 1. The 25-year-old appeared in three contests with the big-league club following his promotion, combining to give up two runs (one earned) on four hits while striking out one batter over 2.1 innings. Curvelo will now wait for his next chance to join the big-league club down the road this year.