MLB Player News

Diaz struck out two in a perfect ninth inning Saturday to record his 10th save of the season in a 3-2 win over the Yankees.

The veteran right-hander's adrenaline was pumping, and Diaz topped out at 100 mph on a fastball before fanning Aaron Judge with a 98.6 mph heater to end the game. That's a big step up from the career-low 96.6 mph Diaz has been averaging with the pitch this season, and it's an encouraging sign as he produced his eighth straight appearance without allowing an earned run. The 31-year-old sports a 3.00 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 26:8 K:BB through 18 innings, and he's a perfect 10-for-10 in converting save chances.

The Dodgers optioned Loutos to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Saturday.

Loutos gave up two runs in one inning during Friday's loss and will now head back to the minors after one appearance to make room for Clayton Kershaw (toe/knee), who was activated from the IL to start Saturday's game.

Manager Bob Melvin announced Saturday that Birdsong will replace Jordan Hicks in the Giants' rotation, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Birdsong lost the race for a rotation spot during spring training, but his 2.31 ERA and 1.29 WHIP across 23.1 innings out of the bullpen, combined with Hicks' struggles as a starter, will cause the two pitchers to swap roles. Birdsong's first start of the season will come Tuesday against the Royals, who own the fourth-lowest scoring offense (157 runs) and sixth-worst OPS (.662) in the majors.

The Guardians optioned Kent to Triple-A Columbus on Saturday.

Kent has bounced back and forth between Triple-A and the majors this season. His most recent stint with the big club was a short one -- he was recalled Tuesday and got into one game, allowing two runs in one inning against Milwaukee on Wednesday, before being sent back down. Kent's movement to the minors corresponds with Cleveland activating starter Slade Cecconi (oblique) from the injured list.

Kansas City recalled Sisk from Triple-A Omaha on Saturday.

Sisk and Noah Cameron were both summoned from Triple-A in moves corresponding with Seth Lugo (finger) and Cole Ragans (groin) landing on the injured list. Whereas Cameron will enter the Royals' rotation, Sisk will provide bullpen depth for the time being. In two games with Kansas City earlier this season, Sisk allowed two hits and posted a 5:2 K:BB over 2.1 scoreless frames. The left-hander's stay on the big-league roster may be short; fellow reliever Taylor Clarke is currently on the paternity list but should return early next week, and the Royals may need to call up a starter from the minors to fill the second vacated rotation spot.

Manager Aaron Boone said Saturday that Cousins (forearm) has been shut down for a few days due to a pectoral injury, Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News reports.

Boone added that Cousins' latest injury isn't anything too serious, so the team seems to just be sitting him down as a precaution. The 30-year-old reliever has been working his way back from a right forearm strain since the start of the season and should still be able to make it back to the Yankees' bullpen in June, assuming his pec injury doesn't evolve into anything severe.

Lopez (6-0) picked up the win Friday against the Orioles, giving up two hits and striking out one in a scoreless eighth inning.

Once again, the veteran right-hander was in the right place at the right time to vulture a victory, as Lopez entered the game with the score tied 3-3 and watched unlikely hero Nasim Nunez drive home the winning run in the top of the ninth on an infield single. Lopez is tied with five starting pitchers for the major-league lead in wins, a list that includes Max Fried, Hunter Brown and Robbie Ray, but that's come at a price for his fantasy investors -- he has a 7.20 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 14:6 K:BB through 20 innings.

Henriquez struck out one in a perfect sixth inning Friday to record his fifth hold of the season in a win over the Rays.

The back of the Marlins' bullpen has been something of a mess so far this season, but Henriquez has been one of the few bright spots. The 24-year-old righty was claimed off waivers from Minnesota during spring training and has delivered a 2.14 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 28:12 K:BB through his first 18 appearances and 21 innings with Miami. Jesus Tinoco, Calvin Faucher and Anthony Bender have been manager Clayton McCullough's most frequently used high-leverage arms, but Henriquez is making a push to join that group.

Pagan pitched a perfect ninth inning while striking out a batter to collect his 10th save of the season in Friday's 5-4 win over the Guardians.

After giving up four runs in 1.2 innings and taking a loss against the White Sox in his previous outing, Pagan did a great job rebounding against Cleveland. He retired all three batters he faced on 16 pitches, ending the game with a six-pitch strikeout of Gabriel Arias. By collecting his 10th save, Pagan has now reached double digits for the first time since 2019.

The Mets optioned Nunez to Triple-A Syracuse on Saturday.

Nunez will be sent to the minors as the roster casualty necessary to make room for Jose Castillo, who was acquired by the Mets in a trade with Arizona on Thursday. Nunez allowed three earned runs in 3.2 innings during his time in the big leagues.