MLB Player News

O'Brien struck out one in a perfect inning to earn the save in Thursday's 2-1 win over the Padres.

O'Brien got the job done on 10 pitches (eight strikes) to preserve a one-run lead. He's had some shaky moments lately, allowing four runs over his last 4.2 innings, but he's still converted four of his five save chances in that span. This is O'Brien's first full season closing, and he's done well in the role with 11 saves on 13 chances while maintaining a 2.00 ERA, 0.89 WHIP and 20:1 K:BB through 18 innings.

Liberatore (2-1) allowed one run on three hits and three walks while striking out six over six innings to earn the win over the Padres on Thursday.

Liberatore was a little less commanding than Michael King, but the former came away with the win when the Cardinals got a go-ahead RBI triple from Masyn Winn in the top of the seventh inning. This was Liberatore's third quality start of the season, and he's won both of his outings in May while allowing just three runs over 11.2 innings. The southpaw has trimmed his ERA to 4.07 with a 1.43 WHIP and 29:16 K:BB through 42 innings over eight appearances this season. Liberatore's next start is projected to be on the road versus the Athletics.

King allowed one run on one hit and two walks while striking out six over six innings in a no-decision versus the Cardinals on Thursday.

King's lone mistake ended up over the fence when Alec Burleson took him deep in the fourth inning. Other than that, it was an excellent performance for King, who came away with his fourth quality start of the season despite failing to get the win. The right-hander has also limited opponents to one run or fewer in four of his outings this season. He's at a 2.76 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 45:20 K:BB through 45.2 innings across eight starts. His 3.9 BB/9 is the highest of his career, while his 8.8 K/9 is his lowest since 2021, when he was still working as a reliever, but neither mark has been an issue yet. King's next start is projected to be on the road in Milwaukee.

Feltner (elbow) threw a bullpen session Tuesday and is likely to begin a rehab assignment shortly, MLB.com reports.

Feltner had previously stated he didn't believe he'd need a rehab assignment, but manager Warren Schaeffer suggested otherwise Wednesday. Feltner is still on track to return at some point in May, though it could be later in the month than originally anticipated.

Castro went 1-for-2 with an RBI, two walks and a run scored Thursday against the Mets.

Castro drove in Colorado's first run of the game with a single in the fourth inning and also scored a run four frames later on a grand slam by Jake McCarthy. Castro is riding a modest four-game hitting streak, going 5-for-15 with two runs in that span. Overall, he has had a mediocre start to his time in Colorado, hitting .250 with 14 runs scored and 12 RBI across 106 plate appearances this season.

Banks allowed two runs on four hits and one walk in 1.1 innings Thursday against the Athletics. He struck out two.

Banks hasn't been a particularly reliable arm out of Philadelphia's bullpen in the early going. Only nine of his 15 appearances have been scoreless outings in terms of earned runs allowed, and the 34-year-old has a 6.75 ERA, 2.39 WHIP and 18:9 K:BB with two holds across 14.2 innings.

Ruiz went 3-for-4 with a home run, two doubles, four RBI and three runs scored in Thursday's 7-5 win over the Twins.

The 27-year-old catcher enjoyed his most productive day at the dish this year, knocking the ball all over the yard. Ruiz recorded a season high in hits, runs and RBI on Thursday en route to totaling a season-most eight bases. Over 70 at-bats, he's still hitting just .214 with two homers, seven doubles, 13 RBI and seven runs scored as Washington's primary backstop.

Varland secured the save Thursday against the Twins, allowing no runs on one hit and no walks in 1.1 innings. He struck out two.

Varland filled the zone for 12 strikes among his 16 offerings, permitting a lone innocuous single to Byron Buxton in the eighth inning. The 29-year-old right-hander should continue to have Washington's closer role mostly to himself until Clayton Beeter (forearm) comes off the injured list. Varland has converted four of his six save opportunities, posting a 3.07 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 16:3 K:BB over 14.2 frames overall this year.

Irvin didn't factor into the decision Thursday against the Twins, allowing four runs on eight hits and one walk in five innings. He struck out two.

The 29-year-old right-hander struggled Thursday, fanning a season-low two and tying a season worst in hits allowed. On a positive note, Irvin has now pitched at least five frames in six consecutive starts and seven of his eight appearances on the year. He'll take a lackluster 5.22 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 41:16 K:BB across 39.2 innings into his next outing, which is slated to come versus the Reds at hitter-friendly Great American Ball Park.

Waldschmidt (head) returned to the lineup Thursday with Triple-A Reno, Alex D'Agostino of SI.com reports.

Waldschmidt was absent from Wednesday's lineup after being hit in the helmet by a pitch Tuesday against Sacramento, but he's now back to full health. He'll look to get back on track after batting .105 with two doubles, two RBI, five runs scored and two stolen bases over 19 at-bats in his last five contests prior to taking the blow to the head.