MLB Player News

Stephenson went 1-for-4 with a grand slam in Saturday's 7-5 win over the Angels.

Patrick Sandoval loaded the bases in the first inning and Stephenson cashed in with his first career grand slam. As Mark Sheldon of MLB.com notes, Stephenson has been one of the best hitters in baseball at making hard contact so far this year, ranking at the very top of the league in barrel percentage entering play Saturday. The results weren't there early on this season, but Stephenson now has three home runs in his last seven games.

Vasquez (0-1) took the loss Saturday against the Blue Jays after he allowed four runs (one earned) on five hits and one walk over five innings. He struck out three.

The right-hander was called up for his season debut and surrendered a three-run homer to Daulton Varsho in the opening inning, though none of the runs were earned due to an error earlier in the frame. Toronto also scratched a run across in the second, but Vasquez then pitched through the fifth inning with no further damage. San Diego doesn't have a scheduled off day until May 2, so Vasquez could stick in the starting rotation while Yu Darvish (neck) is on the 15-day injured list.

Diaz pitched a perfect ninth inning with one strikeout against the Angels on Saturday to earn his third save of the season.

Diaz made quick work of Logan O'Hoppe, Nolan Schanuel and Zach Neto, retiring the side on 13 pitches (11 strikes). Since taking the blown save and the loss in his 2024 debut, Diaz has allowed just one earned run on three hits while striking out nine in his last seven appearances, going 3-for-3 in save chances in that span. Now up to 50 saves for his career, Diaz is following in his brother Edwin's footsteps and establishing himself as one of the National League's most trusted closers.

Tellez went 0-for-3 Saturday against the Red Sox.

Tellez went hitless for the fourth time in his last six starts and is hitting only .207 overall across 65 plate appearances for the season. To make matters worse, he has only one extra-base hit on the campaign, failing to provide pop in the middle of the Pittsburgh lineup. Already sitting against lefties, it's possible that Tellez also starts to sit against righties due to the solid start to the season for Connor Joe, plus the eventual return of Yasmani Grandal (foot).

Cruz went 0-for-3 with a walk and a stolen base Saturday against the Red Sox.

Cruz also struck out twice, and he has now punched out multiple times in eight of his last 10 starts. He's hit .095 in that span, though he did manage to chip his second stolen base of the season Saturday. As a result of his struggles, Cruz dropped to eighth in the lineup after exclusively batting as the team's leadoff hitter against right-handed pitching through the first 11 matchups of the campaign.

Munoz didn't factor in the decision during Game 2 of Saturday's doubleheader against the Cubs. He struck out seven and allowed two runs on two hits and a walk over five innings.

The 24-year-old surrendered a pair of solo homers but otherwise kept Chicago off the board in his MLB debut. Munoz exited in line for the victory, but the bullpen couldn't maintain a 3-2 advantage. The right-hander issued just one walk, which is a stark contrast to the 7:12 K:BB he posted across his three outings for Triple-A Jacksonville. Munoz was recalled as the 27th man for the doubleheader and should return to Jacksonville, but he likely pitched well enough to put him on the shortlist of potential call-ups when Miami needs rotation help later in the season.

Neris struck out one and allowed one hit and no walks in a scoreless ninth inning to earn the save in Game 2 of Saturday's doubleheader versus Miami.

Closer Adbert Alzolay blew a save chance in Game 1, opening the door for Neris to handle the final frame of the nightcap. The 34-year-old has endured some struggles early in the season with seven walks over seven innings, but he hasn't given up a run in his past four appearances. Alzolay has already blown four saves, and Neris is likely the next man up for save chances should the closer continue to falter.

Imanaga (3-0) earned the win in Game 2 of Saturday's doubleheader against the Marlins. He struck out five and gave up three runs (two earned) on five hits and no walks across six innings.

The Japanese right-hander finally surrendered his first earned runs of the season Saturday, but he still pitched well and delivered his second quality start. Imanaga generated 17 swinging strikes on 92 pitches and didn't issue a walk for the third time in four outings. He has a 0.84 ERA, 0.75 WHIP and 21:2 K:BB over 21.1 innings.

Scott earned the save with a scoreless ninth inning during Game 1 of Saturday's doubleheader against the Cubs. He struck out one and allowed two hits and no walks.

Bryan De La Cruz's two-run homer in the top of the ninth gave Miami a 3-2 lead, and Scott closed out the bottom of the frame to finish off the comeback despite giving up singles to the first two batters he faced. The Marlins closer has struggled with his command early in the season, as Saturday's outing was just his third time in nine appearances without issuing a walk. Scott is 3-for-4 in save opportunities and has a 3.72 ERA, 1.86 WHIP and 9:12 K:BB across 9.2 innings.

Alzolay (1-2) was charged with the loss and a blown save in Game 1 of Saturday's doubleheader against Miami. He allowed two runs on two hits and a walk while striking out one over 1.1 innings.

The Cubs closer entered with two outs in the eighth inning and walked a batter before he stranded the bases loaded, but a single and two-run homer in the ninth put Miami ahead 3-2. It's the second straight outing with a blown save for Alzolay, who is now 3-for-7 in save chances on the season. He's given up five runs with a 9:4 K:BB across 10 innings. Hector Neris picked up the save in Game 2 and could see more chances in the ninth inning if Alzolay's struggles persist.