MLB Player News

Soto walked one and struck out one in a scoreless and hitless inning to earn the save in Wednesday's 1-0 win over the Diamondbacks.

Soto has primarily worked as a setup man this season, but he converted the save chance Wednesday after Paul Skenes spun eight shutout innings. Dennis Santana pitched in Tuesday's contest, while Soto hadn't been utilized since Sunday. The winds may be changing in the Pirates' bullpen, as Santana hasn't gotten a save chance since blowing one April 27 versus the Cardinals. Soto is at a 1.50 ERA, 0.72 WHIP and 24:7 K:BB through 18 innings, and he's added two saves and six holds across 18 appearances. Soto hasn't worked as a primary closer since 2022 with the Tigers, when he converted 30 of 33 opportunities, but he's certainly gaining momentum with his work early this year, which has made him the most reliable reliever on the team, regardless of role.

Skenes (5-2) allowed two hits and struck out seven without walking a batter over eight shutout innings to earn the win Wednesday against the Diamondbacks.

Skenes got all the run support he needed with Brandon Lowe's solo shot in the first inning. From there, it was all Skenes as he delivered his longest outing of the season. This was the sixth time in eight starts he's allowed one or zero runs, and it's the third instance he's limited an opponent to two or fewer baserunners. The 23-year-old has an excellent 2.36 ERA, 0.71 WHIP and 46:7 K:BB across 42 innings this season. Skenes' next start is projected to be at home versus the Rockies, which could be the first outing of a two-start week.

Soroka (4-2) allowed one run on seven hits and two walks while striking out six over 6.1 innings to take the loss versus the Pirates on Wednesday.

Soroka gave up a solo home run to Brandon Lowe in the second at-bat of the game, and that was the difference. Even with the unlucky loss, this was a fantastic bounce-back effort for the right-hander after he was tagged for eight runs over three frames in his previous start. Soroka is now at a 4.14 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 42:11 K:BB across 37 innings through seven starts this year. He's projected for a road matchup with the Rangers in his next outing.

Keller picked up the save Wednesday against the Athletics, allowing no runs on one hit and two walks in the ninth inning. He struck out one.

Closer Jhoan Duran was shaky in his return from the injured list Tuesday, allowing one run in the ninth frame, and he was presumably unavailable to work back-to-back days immediately after coming off the IL. Keller let the possible tying run get aboard Wednesday, but he was able to strand the bases loaded for a scoreless outing. The right-hander has converted all three of his save chances while posting a 4.02 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 16:6 K:BB over 15.2 innings this year, but he'll likely revert back to a setup role once Duran is fully back up to speed.

Wheeler didn't factor into the decision Wednesday against the Athletics, allowing three runs on five hits and one walk in 6.1 innings. He struck out four.

Despite being taken deep for the first time this year, Wheeler registered his second consecutive quality start Wednesday. The three-time All-Star pitched a season-high 6.1 frames, and it was also encouraging to see his fastball touch 96 mph on six occasions among his season-most 98 pitches. Wheeler has a 3.12 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 18:6 K:BB over his first 17.1 innings, and he'll aim to further build up his velocity his next time out in Boston.

Happ went 3-for-5 with a two-run homer, a stolen base and an additional run scored during the Cubs' 7-6 extra-inning win over the Reds on Wednesday.

Happ gave the Cubs an early 2-1 lead after crushing a two-run blast off Brady Singer in the first inning, and the former came home to score in the fourth on a double by Seiya Suzuki. Happ is up to nine home runs on the year and extended his on-base streak to 27 games, which dates back to April 5 against the Guardians. The veteran outfielder is slashing .248/.379/.511 with two steals, 17 RBI and 28 runs across 161 plate appearances this season.

Milner was charged with a blown save during the Cubs' 7-6 extra-inning win over the Reds on Wednesday after giving up a run on one hit and one walk while striking out one batter in the ninth inning.

The Cubs initially turned to Corbin Martin to protect the team's 4-2 lead in the ninth, but Milner had to be brought in after the former gave up a solo homer before loading the bases. Milner struck out the first batter he faced but ended up allowing three runs to cross the plate (two inherited), which was enough for him to be tagged with the blown save. He shouldn't see many more save opportunities this season, as Daniel Palencia is the Cubs' preferred closer after recently coming off the 15-day IL.

Rea did not factor into Wednesday's decision against the Reds. He allowed two runs (one earned) on six hits and three walks while striking out five across 5.1 innings.

After giving up an unearned run during the opening inning, Rea kept the Reds off the board over the next three frames before yielding a solo long ball to Matt McLain. Rea was still in line for the win until Cincinnati scored four runs in the ninth inning to take a 6-4 lead, though the Cubs were able to rally for the extra-inning victory. The veteran right-hander has given up two earned runs or fewer in six of eight starts this season and sits at a 4.03 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 35:12 K:BB across 38 innings. He's slated to face Atlanta on the road next week.

Steer went 1-for-5 with a solo home run during the Reds' 7-6, extra-inning loss to the Cubs on Wednesday.

Steer was having a quiet night at the plate until he smacked a solo home run off Corbin Martin in the ninth, which kick-started the Reds' four-run frame and a temporary 6-4 lead. The long ball also extended Steer's hitting streak to nine games, and in that span he has gone 11-for-31 (.355) with two home runs, six RBI and three runs scored.

McLain went 2-for-3 with a solo home run and an additional run scored during the Reds' 7-6 extra-inning loss to the Cubs on Wednesday.

McClain cut the Reds' deficit to 4-2 when he smacked a solo homer off Colin Rea in the fifth inning. The long ball broke McClain's six-game hitless streak (during which he went 0-for-17 with four strikeouts), and his home run Wednesday was his third of the season.