MLB Player News

Freeland (1-4) took the loss Saturday against the Phillies, allowing seven runs (six earned) on 10 hits and no walks in five innings. He struck out four.

The 32-year-old southpaw poured in 64 of his 97 pitches for strikes, but he was perhaps a bit too haphazard in targeting the zone Saturday. It was the 13th time in his career that he was hit around for double-digit knocks, and Freeland has now given up at least four runs in three consecutive starts after yielding four altogether over his first three outings of 2026. He'll take a poor 6.00 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 28:8 K:BB across 30 innings into his next scheduled appearance versus Arizona.

Junk did not factor into the decision in Saturday's 8-7 win over the Nationals, allowing four runs on seven hits and two walks with six strikeouts over six innings.

Junk was tagged for three runs in the first inning but still managed to complete six frames while tying a season high with six strikeouts. The 30-year-old has now yielded three earned runs or more three times while limiting opponents to just five earned runs across his other five outings this year. He'll carry a 3.25 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 33:10 K:BB over 44.1 innings into a road matchup against the Rays next weekend.

Nola didn't factor into the decision Saturday against the Rockies, allowing three runs on six hits and two walks in 4.2 innings. He struck out three.

Nola came one out short of qualifying for the win Saturday, managing a fairly pedestrian performance all around despite a favorable matchup. The 32-year-old right-hander continues to struggle for consistency in 2026, as he's given up one or no runs on just two occasions through eight starts and exceeded five strikeouts just one time in his past six outings. Nola will bring a shaky 5.14 ERA, 1.48 WHIP and 44:15 K:BB over 42 innings into his next appearance, which is set to come at Pittsburgh.

Stowers went 3-for-4 with a home run, a double, two RBI and two runs scored in Saturday's 8-7 win over the Nationals.

Stowers finished a triple shy of the cycle, highlighted by a two-run blast that got the Marlins on the board in the fourth inning. It was the first homer of the year for the 28-year-old and his first three-hit effort since April 24. On the season, he's slashing .239/.320/.343 with five extra-base hits, three RBI and 10 runs scored across just 75 plate appearances.

King retired the only batter he faced in the ninth inning to earn a one-out save in Saturday's 8-7 win over the Nationals.

King entered to protect a one-run lead with a runner on first and two outs in the ninth inning and got CJ Abrams to fly out for his first career save. It was likely a lefty-on-lefty matchup play by manager Clayton McCullough, but the 31-year-old southpaw also owns a stellar 0.54 ERA, 0.54 WHIP and 15:6 K:BB across 16.2 innings this season. Closer Pete Fairbanks (hand) is hopeful to return soon, but King has at least worked his way into the ninth-inning equation until that happens.

Steer went 1-for-3 with a run scored and a stolen base in Saturday's 3-1 win over the Astros.

Steer kicked off a three-run fifth inning for the Reds when he laced a single, stole second and then came around to score the team's first run. The 28-year-old has now hit safely in 11 of his past 12 games, tallying three extra-base hits, six RBI and four runs scored during that stretch. For the year, he's slashing .248/.324/.434 with six homers, 12 RBI, 14 runs scored and two steals across 145 plate appearances.

Johnson threw a perfect ninth inning to earn the save in Saturday's 3-1 win over the Astros. He did not record a strikeout.

With Emilio Pagan (hamstring) expected to miss significant time and presumed replacement Tony Santillan struggling, the Reds turned to Graham Ashcraft in the eighth inning and then Johnson in the ninth. Johnson needed just 12 pitches to retire the heart of the Astros' order, and he now owns a 3.38 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 15:5 K:BB across 16 innings with two holds and a save. While the Reds' closer situation is likely still unsettled, the 34-year-old certainly helped his case for future save chances with Saturday's performance.

Burns (4-1) earned the win against the Astros on Saturday, allowing one run on four hits and three walks with two strikeouts over six innings.

Burns allowed a solo homer in the fifth inning but otherwise kept the Astros in check despite issuing more walks than strikeouts. It marked the third straight quality start for the 23-year-old, and he's now limited opponents to two earned runs or fewer in seven of eight outings this season. He'll carry a 2.11 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 48:16 K:BB across 47 innings into a road matchup against the Guardians next weekend.

The Dodgers placed Stewart on the 15-day injured list Saturday due to a left foot bone spur, Noah Camras of SI.com reports.

Stewart was cleared to make his 2026 debut Wednesday after opening the season on the 15-day IL while continuing to recover from right shoulder surgery that he underwent in September. He appeared in two games out of the bullpen for the Dodgers, tossing two scoreless and hitless innings while striking out three batters. Stewart is eligible to return from the IL in late May, though it's unclear whether he'll be ready by then. Blake Snell (shoulder) was activated from the 15-day IL in a corresponding move.

The Dodgers reinstated Snell (shoulder) from the injured list Saturday.

Snell will be making his season debut Saturday after landing on the injured list at the start of the season with a sore left shoulder. He had been originally scheduled for an additional rehab start Saturday after building up to 55 pitches during his last outing Sunday, so the Dodgers will likely limit his pitch count while he faces a tough Atlanta lineup. Brock Stewart (foot) was placed on the 15-day IL in a corresponding move.