MLB Player News
-
Paul Sewald RP | ARI
Diamondbacks' Paul Sewald: Secures save No. 2
Sewald earned the save by striking out the side in order during Tuesday's 7-5 win over the Tigers.
The 35-year-old was called upon for the ninth inning after Arizona turned a 5-1, eighth-inning deficit into a two-run lead, and he dispatched the middle of Detroit's lineup on 13 pitches. Sewald now has two saves through three scoreless appearances this year, already matching his saves total from a bumpy 2025 regular season with Cleveland and Detroit. Things can change fast this early in the season, but Sewald has quickly established himself as Arizona's top option for saves.
-
Brandon Pfaadt RP | ARI
Diamondbacks' Brandon Pfaadt: Gives up five runs in 2026 debut
Pfaadt did not factor into the decision Tuesday, allowing five runs on six hits and one walk over six innings during a 7-5 victory over the Tigers. He struck out three.
Pfaadt retired the side in order in five of six frames Tuesday, but the third inning was a mess as Detroit rallied for five runs on six hits. Despite that seemingly strong performance for most of the night, the right-hander generated just six swinging strikes on 85 pitches, which isn't exactly an encouraging season debut after his strikeout rate already dropped more than five percentage points to 19.2 percent from 2024 to 2025. A matchup with Atlanta this weekend presents a difficult matchup for Pfaadt his next time out.
-
Jose Fernandez 1B | ARI
Diamondbacks' Jose Fernandez: Homers twice in MLB debut
Fernandez went 3-for-4 with two home runs, four RBI and a strikeout in Tuesday's 7-5 win against the Tigers.
Starting at third base in his major-league debut, the 22-year-old put the Diamondbacks on the board during the fourth inning with a solo shot and followed up with a three-run blast in the eighth to erase a 5-4 deficit. Fernandez was expected to primarily serve as a reserve infielder for Arizona after getting promoted Monday, but the impactful debut could net him more opportunities in the short term with Pavin Smith (elbow) on the injured list.
-
Jake Bauers 1B | MIL
Brewers' Jake Bauers: Goes deep in win
Bauers went 2-for-4 with a solo home run, a steal and an additional run scored in Tuesday's 6-2 win versus the Rays.
The 30-year-old got the start Tuesday even though Tampa Bay sent out a southpaw in Shane McClanahan, against whom the lefty-hitting Bauers went 0-for-2. The first baseman got back on track once the Rays turned to the bullpen, however, as he reached on an infield single, stole second and scored in the sixth inning before launching a solo homer in the eighth. With Andrew Vaughn (wrist) expected to be sidelined until mid-May after undergoing hamate bone surgery, Bauers should be a lineup regular for the time being, especially if he can build upon his hot start to 2026.
-
Brandon Woodruff SP | MIL
Brewers' Brandon Woodruff: Notches win in season debut
Woodruff (1-0) earned the win Tuesday versus the Rays, allowing two runs on four hits and no walks across five innings. He struck out six.
Woodruff was brought along slowly during spring training after finishing last season on the injured list due to a lat strain, and he was pulled after five frames and just 67 pitches (45 strikes) in his season debut Tuesday. The 33-year-old righty was able to work efficiently and pick up the win, with the only damage against him coming via a pair of solo home runs. Woodruff averaged 93.1 mph with his fastball, which is a couple ticks lower than he averaged prior to his 2023 shoulder surgery but is in line with what he posted in 12 starts during the 2025 regular season. He's likely to make his next start on the road in Boston early next week.
-
Shane McClanahan SP | TB
Rays' Shane McClanahan: Takes loss in first start since '23
McClanahan (0-1) took the loss Tuesday, allowing three runs (two earned) on two hits and three walks over 4.2 innings against Milwaukee. He struck out four.
The left-hander took an MLB mound Tuesday for the first time since August of 2023 after missing the past two seasons while recovering from Tommy John surgery and a subsequent nerve issue. McClanahan kept the Brewers off the board through four frames but was unable to escape the fifth, giving up three runs on two hits, two walks and an error. The 28-year-old threw 50 of 79 pitches for strikes and averaged 95.4 mph with his fastball, which is a tick slower than his 2023 velocity but is still an encouraging figure in his first start back, especially given that he topped out at 97.4 mph. A home matchup with the Cubs is likely on deck for McClanahan early next week.
-
Tanner Banks RP | PHI
Phillies' Tanner Banks: Manages first hold Tuesday
Banks picked up a hold Tuesday versus the Nationals, allowing one run on three hits and no walks in 1.2 innings.
The Phillies were working with a three-run lead when Banks entered, so Banks was able to hang on for his first hold of the season. The southpaw had a relatively long leash against a lefty-heavy Washington lineup, tossing 37 pitches Tuesday, which suggests Philadelphia is comfortable assigning Banks to record more than three outs if the situation calls for it.
-
Brayan Bello SP | BOS
Red Sox's Brayan Bello: Roughed up in first start of 2026
Bello (0-1) took the loss against the Astros on Tuesday, allowing six runs (five earned) on eight hits and three walks while striking out two across 4.2 innings.
Bello pitched to a 5.65 ERA during spring training, and things didn't get any better in his first regular-season start. Yordan Alvarez took Bello deep in the fifth inning, and four of the next five Astros reached base to bounce Bello from the game. Bello turned in a career-best 3.35 ERA across 29 starts last regular season, but his 4.19 FIP suggested it was a bit of a fluke. Bello will need to pitch better to hold off other starting candidates including Payton Tolle, Johan Oviedo, Kutter Crawford (wrist) and Patrick Sandoval (elbow) once everyone is healthy. Bello's next start is scheduled for Monday against the Brewers.
-
Yennier Cano RP | BAL
Orioles' Yennier Cano: Charged with loss Tuesday
Cano (0-1) took the loss Tuesday versus the Rangers, allowing one run on two hits and no walks in the sixth inning.
Cano had given the Orioles a pair of scoreless outing during the club's opening series against the Twins, but he gave up his first run of the season Tuesday. The right-hander pitched fairly well during the spring to make Baltimore's Opening Day bullpen, posting a 3.86 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 6:0 K:BB over seven Grapefruit League innings, but Cano could fall into a lesser role once Andrew Kittredge (shoulder) and Keegan Akin (groin) are ready to return.
-
Cam Smith RF | HOU
Astros' Cam Smith: Hits first home run of season
Smith went 2-for-3 with a solo home run and a walk in Tuesday's 9-2 win over the Red Sox.
Smith took Jovani Moran deep in the seventh inning for his first home run of the season. Smith entered play Tuesday with just two hits in 21 trips to the plate, but he's now reached base five times over the last two games and has drawn five walks in six games this season after walking just 8.7 percent of the time in 2025. Smith is competing for at-bats with Jake Meyers, Joey Loperfido and Brice Matthews in the Houston outfield, but the Astros want Smith to take hold of right field.