MLB Player News

Soto struck out two in a perfect ninth inning Wednesday during the Pirates' 8-3 win over the Reds.

For the second straight day, Soto was warming up to handle a save situation in the bottom of the ninth, only for Pittsburgh's offense to churn out insurance runs in the top of the frame and erase the save chance. The veteran southpaw has a 0.00 ERA through 4.1 innings to begin the season with an 8:2 K:BB, and he currently appears to be the favorite for save chances ahead of Dennis Santana.

Skenes (1-1) picked up the win in Wednesday's 8-3 victory over the Reds, allowing one run on three hits and two walks over five innings. He struck out five.

After a stunningly short Opening Day start, Skenes rebounded nicely Wednesday, tossing 51 of 77 pitches for strikes and only allowing a runner to get past first base in the fourth inning. It was an early hook for the right-hander despite the efficient performance, but the Pirates are likely just being cautious with his early season workload. The 23-year-old still has a 9.53 ERA and 6:4 K:BB through 5.2 innings, but those numbers should continue to improve quickly. Skenes is set to take the mound next at home early next week against the Padres.

Baldwin went 2-for-3 with a walk, a double, a run scored and four RBI in Wednesday's 5-1 win over the A's.

The second-year backstop continues to swing a hot bat, fueling Atlanta's offense Wednesday with a two-run single in the second inning and a two-run double in the fourth. Baldwin has started all six games in the season's first week, four at catcher and two at DH, and he's hit second in the order against both lefties and righties. During that hot streak, he's batting .318 (7-for-22) with three homers, six runs and seven RBI.

Sale (2-0) allowed one run on one hit over six innings Wednesday to record the win as Atlanta downed the A's 5-1. He struck out three without walking a batter.

Shea Langeliers' solo shot in the fourth inning ended up being the only runner to reach base against Sale over 79 pitches (57 strikes). The veteran southpaw has been brilliant to begin the season, delivering two straight quality starts with a 0.75 ERA, 0.58 WHIP and 9:3 K:BB in 12 innings. Sale will look to keep rolling in his next outing, which is scheduled to come on the road early next week against the Angels.

Priester (wrist) will report to the Brewers' spring training complex in Arizona later this week to resume throwing live batting practice, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Priester checked an important box in his recovery process from symptoms related to thoracic outlet syndrome by throwing a 20-pitch bullpen session Tuesday. With the right-hander checking out fine following that workout, he'll face hitters over the next few days before the Brewers map out a schedule for a minor-league rehab assignment. Priester missed all of spring training, so he'll require a prolonged assignment and may not be ready to return from the 15-day injured list until early May.

Atlanta outrighted Wisely to Triple-A Gwinnett on Wednesday, Lindsay Crosby of BravesToday.com reports.

Wisely no longer possesses a spot on Atlanta's 40-man roster, but he'll stick around in the organization as utility depth after clearing waivers. He appeared in 26 games in the majors last season between stops with San Francisco and Atlanta, slashing .185/.279/.315 with one home run and one stolen base across 63 plate appearances.

Andujar is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Giants.

Andujar and Nick Castellanos shared the designated-hitter spot through the first five games, but neither player will be in the lineup Wednesday. Ramon Laureano will receive a day off from playing the outfield, but he'll stay in the starting nine at DH while Bryce Johnson takes his spot on defense. Andujar has struggled out of the gate thus far, going 2-for-12 with a walk and two RBI, so he'll need to raise his production in order to gain traction in the everyday lineup.

Castellanos is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Giants.

Castellanos and Miguel Andujar shared the designated-hitter spot through the first five games, but neither player will be in the lineup Wednesday. Ramon Laureano will receive a day off from playing the outfield, but he'll stay in the starting nine at DH while Bryce Johnson takes his spot on defense. Castellanos has thus far gone 2-for-12 with a double and a walk, so he'll need to raise his production before solidifying an everyday role.

The Pirates are "deep into negotiations" on a contract extension with Griffin, but it's unclear how close the two sides might be toward reaching agreement on a deal, Buster Olney of ESPN.com reports.

Pittsburgh has been engaged in extension talks with its top prospect since early in spring training, with Olney noting that the Pirates have offered the 19-year-old shortstop a deal in the neighborhood of the eight-year, $111 million deal that Arizona's Corbin Carroll signed in the spring of 2023. Griffin's representatives, meanwhile, have been seeking a deal more on par with the eight-year, $130 deal Roman Anthony signed with the Red Sox last August. Griffin didn't break camp with the Pirates, but after smacking four home runs over his 16 Grapefruit League games, he's continued to thrive early on at Triple-A Indianapolis. Through his first four Triple-A games, Griffin has gone 6-for-13 with three doubles, two stolen bases and a 4:4 BB:K.

Lockridge is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Rays.

Lockridge will take a seat after he picked up starts in each of the last four games while going 6-for-14 with a double, a walk, a stolen base, three RBI and two runs. The right-handed-hitting Lockridge should be a mainstay in the lineup against left-handed pitching, but he may be limited to more of a part-time role versus righties.