MLB Player News

Bednar (0-3) took the loss against the Padres on Saturday, allowing one run on one hit while striking out one batter in the ninth inning.

It wasn't a save situation for Bednar, who came in for the top of the ninth inning with the game tied 1-1. He allowed a double to Fernando Tatis, who later scored on a wild pitch to give the Padres the go-ahead run. Since being recalled by the Pirates on April 19, Bednar has allowed two runs on six hits and one walk while striking out nine over seven innings, and it's unclear whether he'll be the Pirates' go-to closer once Dennis Santana (personal) is activated from the bereavement list.

Falter did not factor into the decision of Saturday's game against the Padres, allowing one run on two hits and two walks while striking out six over seven innings.

Falter scatted four baserunners over seven strong innings, with his only blemish coming on a Manny Machado solo homer in the seventh frame. It was Falter's third quality start of the season and the second time he has made it through seven innings. He has a 5.06 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 28:11 K:BB across 37.1 innings, and his next start is slated for next weekend at home against Atlanta.

Manager Rob Thompson said Saturday that Walker will move from the rotation to the bullpen, Lochlahn March of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Ranger Suarez (back) returned from the 15-day injured list Saturday and will be reclaiming his spot in the Phillies' rotation from Walker. Thompson did leave the door open for Walker to make spot starts this season as part of a six-man rotation, but the 32-year-old right-hander will shift to the bullpen and likely serve in a bulk-relief role. In six starts this season, Walker has gone 1-3 with a 2.54 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 22:13 K:BB across 28.1 innings.

Blalock did not factor into the decision in Saturday's game against the Giants, allowing three runs on two hits and two walks while striking out four over 5.1 innings.

Blalock registered only nine first-pitch strikes and six whiffs on 75 pitches (47 strikes), but he limited the Giants to one run through his first five innings. He was tagged for another run after being lifted in the sixth frame and was in line for the win, but that didn't come to fruition after Matt Chapman knocked a go-ahead grand slam off Jake Bird. Blalock could stick in the Rockies' rotation for as long as Ryan Feltner (back) is on the 15-day injured list, and the former is lined up to face the Padres at home next weekend.

Hicks allowed three runs on three hits and two walks while striking out seven in five innings against the Rockies on Saturday. He did not factor into the decision.

Hicks limited the Rockies to one walk and one hit over the first five innings but was tagged for three runs in the sixth, and he finished with 11 whiffs and 12 first-pitch strikes while tossing 88 pitches (55 strikes). Hicks' seven punchouts were his most in a start this season, but he has given up at least three earned runs in five of his last six outings and is up to a 6.03 ERA and 1.45 WHIP over 37.1 innings. He's slated to face the Twins on the road next weekend.

Walker earned the save in Saturday's 6-3 win over the Rockies, striking out one batter in a perfect ninth inning.

With Camilo Doval being deployed in the seventh inning, Walker was brought in for the ninth to preserve the Giants' three-run lead. Walker forced the first two batters to ground out and came away with the save after retiring Adael Amador on a seven-pitch strikeout. It was Walker's first save since April 19 as he and Camilo Doval have formed a closer committee after Walker initially opened the campaign as the clear No. 1 option.

Matos went 1-for-1 with two walks, a solo home run and an additional run scored in Saturday's 6-3 win over the Rockies.

Matos, who served as the designated hitter Saturday, put the Giants on the board in the third inning when he took Bradley Blalock deep to left-center field for a solo homer. Matos has struggled at the plate this season and has gone 2-for-28 over his last nine games (including Saturday). Even with his slow start to the season, Matos should still see starts in the outfield in a platoon with Mike Yastrzemski.

Chapman went 1-for-3 with a walk and a grand slam in Saturday's 6-3 win over the Rockies.

Chapman put the Giants up for good in the sixth inning, when he took Jake Bird deep to center field for a 402-foot grand slam. Chapman has homered in back-to-back games and is up to seven long balls on the season, which is 13th most in the National League. He's slashing .205/.354/.419 with four stolen bases, 16 runs scored and 21 RBI in 144 plate appearances this season.

The Phillies placed Ruiz on the 15-day injured list Saturday due to neck spasms, retroactive to May 1, Lochlahn March of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Ruiz may have tweaked his neck during his last outing against the Nationals on Wednesday, when he struck out two batters over 1.1 scoreless innings without allowing a hit or walk. He's eligible to return from the IL on May 16, but he'll undergo further testing to determine a clear timeline for his return. Ranger Suarez (back) was reinstated from the 15-day IL in a corresponding move.

The Phillies reinstated Suarez (back) from the injured list Saturday.

The 29-year-old isn't due to start for the Phillies until Sunday, but the team will bring him back a day in advance to replace Jose Ruiz (neck), who landed on the injured list Saturday. Suarez made four rehab starts in the minors, during which he turned in a minuscule 1.08 ERA and 0.98 WHIP while striking out 24 batters and walking five across 16.2 innings. He built up to 78 pitches during his final outing, so he shouldn't be working under significant restrictions during his season debut.