MLB Player News

Brogdon earned a save against Seattle on Saturday, allowing two runs (one earned) on one hit while striking out two batters in one inning.

Closer Cade Smith blew a save opportunity in the ninth, pushing the game into bonus time. Cleveland struck for three runs in the top of the 10th, and the Guardians chose to turn to Brogdon in the bottom of that frame. The right-hander made things interesting by serving up a two-run homer to Luke Raley, but Brogdon was able to convert the save by striking out the subsequent two batters he faced. Fantasy managers need not read into Brogdon's chance to close Saturday, as Smith isn't likely to move out of the closer role anytime soon.

Smith (1-0) blew a save chance but earned the win over the Mariners on Saturday, allowing one run on two hits and one walk while striking out two batters over one inning.

Smith entered in the ninth inning, tasked with protecting a one-run lead. He gave up a leadoff double to Cole Young but nearly got out of trouble by fanning the next two batters. However, Julio Rodriguez then notched a two-out, game-tying RBI single to tag Smith with his first blown save of the campaign. The Guardians ultimately pulled the game out in the 10th, so Smith did end up with his first victory. Despite the shaky appearance, Smith is firmly locked in as Cleveland's clear-cut closer.

Cantillo allowed two runs on four hits and three walks while striking out five batters over 3.2 innings in a no-decision against Seattle on Saturday.

Cantillo wasn't hit all that hard, as one of the four hits against him was an infield single and the only extra-base hit he gave up was a second-inning double. However, he walked three batters and needed 91 pitches to get through just 3.2 frames. Cantillo managed a healthy five punchouts after posting a 10.2 K/9 in both of his first two big-league seasons, so fantasy managers weren't left entirely out to dry by his short outing. The southpaw's next start is tentatively slated to take place at home against the Cubs next Friday.

Smith went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in Saturday's 3-2 win against Arizona.

It was a big day for the All-Star catcher, who not only celebrated his 31st birthday but also was the subject of a bobblehead giveaway at Dodger Stadium. After failing to reach base in his first three plate appearances, Smith came through in the clutch, smacking a two-run homer with two outs in the bottom of the eighth inning to flip a one-run deficit into a one-run lead. Smith's 2025 campaign concluded with a game-winning homer in Game 7 of the World Series, and he's off to a fast start in 2026, slashing .273/.273/.818 with two long balls and five RBI through three games.

Rodriguez allowed one unearned run on four hits and two walks while striking out five batters over five-plus innings in a no-decision against the Dodgers on Saturday.

Rodriguez faced a loaded Dodgers lineup and didn't back down, getting through five frames without being scored upon. He faced one batter in the sixth and was let down by his defense, as Kyle Tucker reached on a fielding error and later came around to score following Rodriguez's exit. Though the veteran hurler wasn't able to secure the win, this was nonetheless a very promising 2026 debut on the heels of a strong finish to the 2025 campaign, when he posted a 4-1 record with a 2.80 ERA and 1.22 WHIP over his final six starts. It's far too early to tab Rodriguez as having a career resurgence, but after he registered an ERA north of 5.00 both of the past two campaigns, fantasy managers who remember his strong 2023 regular season (3.30 ERA, 1.15 WHIP over 26 starts) may want to keep an eye on his next few outings.

Diaz earned the save against the Diamondbacks on Saturday with a perfect inning of work.

The Dodgers took their first lead with two outs in the bottom of the eighth inning, giving Diaz an opportunity for his second save. The star reliever wasn't overpowering -- all three of the outs he recorded came on flyouts, and Diaz didn't get any swinging strikes -- but he was nonetheless able to slam the door shut on 10 pitches. With Los Angeles humming to a 3-0 start and Diaz the team's clear-cut closer, he's a logical pick to be among MLB's save leaders throughout the campaign.

Glasnow allowed two runs on four hits and one walk while striking out six batters over six innings in a no-decision against Arizona on Saturday.

Glasnow was a little shaky early in the outing, yielding two runs on four hits over his first three innings. However, he settled down after that, allowing just one baserunner (on a walk) across his final three frames. The Dodgers were unable to generate much offense while he was in the game, but a late Will Smith two-run homer took Glasnow off the hook for the loss. Overall, the veteran right-hander threw 57 of 90 pitches for strikes and was able to give fantasy managers a quality start. He's lined up to next face the Nationals on the road.

Flaherty (0-1) took the loss against San Diego on Saturday, allowing three runs (two earned) on four hits and four walks while striking out two batters over 4.1 innings.

Flaherty actually retired the first eight batters he faced, but he then gave up three straight singles with two outs in the third inning to allow a run to score, and another Padre crossed the plate on a subsequent fielding error. After an uneventful fourth frame, Flaherty walked three straight batters with one out in the fifth before being pulled. Overall, he tossed just 49 of 89 pitches for strikes, though much of his control issues came late in the outing. Flaherty will look for better results his next time on the mound, which is tentatively slated to be next Saturday at home against St. Louis.

Miller earned a save against the Tigers on Saturday, striking out two batters and walking one over a scoreless and hitless inning.

Miller inherited a 3-0 lead in the ninth inning, though he may have felt a bit more pressure than usual under such circumstances with San Diego chasing its first victory of the season. The right-hander issued a two-out walk, but he otherwise looked dominant, throwing 12 of 18 pitches for strikes and recording two punchouts. Miller posted a combined 50 saves and averaged a robust 14.8 K/9 over the past two regular seasons, so it's no surprise that he's considered one of baseball's (and fantasy's) top closers.

Vasquez (1-0) earned the win over Detroit on Saturday, pitching six scoreless innings and allowing two hits and three walks while striking out eight batters.

San Diego's offense remained mostly stagnant, but Vasquez made sure that didn't matter by blanking the Tigers over his six frames. The right-hander also had his swing-and-miss stuff working, notching 13 whiffs and eight punchouts. The latter total was more than Vasquez had in all but one of his 28 outings last season, and he promisingly averaged 95.0 mph on his fastball after averaging 93.4 mph on the pitch last year. If he's able to maintain the uptick in velocity and build on Saturday's excellent start, Vasquez could prove to be a fantasy steal for managers who selected him near the end of drafts or plucked him off the waiver wire.