MLB Player News

Hodge worked around two hits to pitch a scoreless inning of relief and earn a hold in Saturday's 4-3 win over the Diamondbacks. He struck out two.

After starter Shota Imanaga cruised through seven innings, Hodge came on in the eighth to protect a 4-1 lead. The righty promptly allowed consecutive singles to start the frame, but he wiggled out of trouble by recording two strikeouts sandwiched around a pop out, securing his second hold of the year in the process. Ryan Pressly worked the ninth for his first save of the season, though he also struggled and allowed two runs. Pressly is Chicago's closer for now, but Hodge could force a change at some point if he outperforms the veteran for an extended period of time.

Morejon earned the save in Saturday's 1-0 win over Atlanta, issuing one walk while striking out one batter in a scoreless ninth inning.

The 26-year-old southpaw came in to finish out Saturday's game, as usual closer Robert Suarez had been deployed in each of the first two games of the series. Morejon was able to pitch around a leadoff walk and finished things off by punching out Drake Baldwin. Morejon logged two saves last season, but he could see more opportunities in 2025 on days when Suarez is resting.

Rodriguez will start Monday's game against the Royals as an opening pitcher, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

The right-hander didn't pitch in Milwaukee's first two games of the season versus the Yankees, but he'll take the mound as an opener Monday with Brandon Woodruff (shoulder) and Tobias Myers (oblique) on the injured list and Jose Quintana still ramping up. Rodriguez had a 15:2 K:BB across 10.2 innings during spring training but surrendered nine earned runs and three homers. He built up to 3.2 innings in Cactus League play, so he could be capable of offering more length than the typical opener.

Martinez pitched a scoreless ninth inning in Saturday's 4-3 loss to the Cubs.

Martinez made his season debut, entering the top of the ninth inning with Arizona down 4-1. None of the four balls in play he allowed left the infield, and only a fielding error by Martinez extended what could have been a 1-2-3 frame. The right-hander inked a five-year extension late in spring training and is expected to pitch in high-leverage situations, potentially splitting closing duties with A.J. Puk.

Estevez (save) threw one inning Saturday against the Guardians, earning the save and striking out one batter.

Nursing a one-run lead, Estevez walked Kyle Manzardo on five pitches to open the bottom of the ninth inning, but he settled down to retire the next three batters he faced, preserving the 4-3 Kansas City win. Estevez should see the bulk of the save chances for the Royals, though setup man Lucas Erceg is also a quality candidate for saves.

Bummer (0-1) took the loss against the Padres on Saturday, allowing one run on one hit and one walk while striking out two across two-thirds of an inning.

Bummer was called into action for the seventh inning after Spencer Schwellenbach tossed six scoreless frames. Bummer came out firing with two straight strikeouts, but he was lifted after giving up a ground-rule double to Jake Cronenworth and intentionally walking Xander Bogaerts, with Cronenworth coming around to score after Bummer's exit. The left-hander has given up a run in each of his first two outings of the 2025 season, but he'll likely remain in the high-leverage mix in Atlanta for now.

Miller picked up a save against the Mariners on Saturday, allowing one hit and striking out three batters in one scoreless inning.

Though Miller gave up a one-out single, he was locked in during the outing, throwing 14 of 17 pitches for strikes and getting all three of his outs via strikeout. The flamethrowing righty ramped up to 102.2 mph with his fastball and got five whiffs during his limited time on the mound. Despite playing for an Athletics team that isn't expected to be a contender, Miller is one of fantasy's most desirable closers after notching 28 saves in 31 chances and posting an elite 14.4 K/9 over 55 appearances last season.

Hader walked one batter in a scoreless ninth inning Saturday to record the save in a 2-1 win over the Mets.

Hader was shaky in his first save opportunity Opening Day, and he got off on the wrong foot Saturday when he walked Juan Soto on six pitches. Hader was able to steady himself by getting Pete Alonso to pop out on the first pitch, and the southpaw closer was able to cruise through the final two batters to earn his second save of the season. Hader is already on track to log a fifth consecutive 30-save season, and he'll look to earn his third of the year during the upcoming three-game home series against the Giants starting Monday.

Pressly picked up a save against the Diamondbacks on Saturday, allowing two runs on four hits and one walk while striking out one batter over one inning.

Pressly had a cushy three-run lead to work with when he got the ball in the ninth inning, but the veteran righty nearly gave the game away. He allowed Arizona to pull to within a run before making an out when Eugenio Suarez tagged him for a two-run homer, and Arizona put the tying run on base when Gabriel Moreno followed with a single. Pressly managed to retire the next two batters, but he walked Ketel Marte, and then allowed Corbin Carroll to reach base on an infield single. However, Garrett Hampson made a baserunning blunder on the hit and was tagged out after reaching third base, allowing Pressly to escape with his first save as a Cub. He should have some leash given his veteran status, but if Pressly were to struggle for an extended period, Porter Hodge -- who saved nine games for Chicago last season -- would be waiting in the wings.

Martin struck out two batters in a scoreless ninth inning Saturday to record his first save of the season in a 4-3 win over the Red Sox.

Martin got the call to close things out Saturday after Luke Jackson was used for the first two games of the series. Martin had no problem getting through the inning and earned the save after striking out Triston Casas. Martin needed only 13 pitches (nine strikes), and given the Rangers used five relievers in Saturday's win, he could have his number called in Sunday's series finale.