MLB Player News
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Cooper Criswell RP | SEA
Mariners' Cooper Criswell: Grabs three-inning save
Criswell earned the save in Sunday's 8-0 win over the Guardians, allowing two hits while striking out five over three scoreless innings.
Criswell was sharp Sunday, limiting the Guardians to a pair of singles to close out Seattle's shutout victory, earning his second career save. The 29-year-old Criswell made the team as a long-relief option after posting a 2.51 ERA across 14.1 innings in spring training. While he may have a defined role in the Mariners' bullpen, don't expect Criswell to be a frequent source of saves. The right-hander has a career ERA of 4.42 with a 1.42 WHIP across 158.2 major-league innings.
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Bryan Abreu RP | HOU
Astros' Bryan Abreu: Struggling early in 2026
Abreu allowed one run on two walks in one-third of an inning during the Astros' 9-7 win over the Angels on Sunday.
Abreu was brought in for the top of the ninth inning to protect the Astros' three-run lead. However, he walked two of the three batters he faced and was replaced by Bryan King, and the former was tagged with a run on an RBI single from Nolan Schanuel. Abreu has yielded four earned runs on four walks and one hit across 1.1 innings to open the season, which isn't a great sign given that he was tabbed as the Astros' interim closer in the absence of Josh Hader (biceps). King could be thrust into closing situations if Abreu's early struggles continue.
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Tyler Alexander RP | TEX
Rangers' Tyler Alexander: Secures save Saturday
Alexander earned a save after tossing one inning, allowing an unearned run on one hit and a hit-by-pitch while striking out a batter in Saturday's 5-4 extra-inning win over the Phillies.
Alexander was the next man up after Texas turned to Robert Garcia and Chris Martin in the ninth inning. Alexander hit Otto Kemp with an 84.8 mph cutter to open the frame before later surrendering a two-out single by Bryce Harper, which drove in the automatic runner from second base. The southpaw was then able to settle in and strand Kemp at third base to end the game by getting Alec Bohm to pop out for the final out. Alexander isn't necessarily in the mix quite yet for the closer's role, but he is the first Ranger to notch a save in 2026.
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Ben Joyce RP | LAA
Angels' Ben Joyce: Making progress toward return
Joyce (shoulder) isn't yet tossing bullpens at full intensity, but he's doing well in his throwing program, per MLB.com.
Joyce continues to work toward returning to game action after undergoing right shoulder surgery last May. Angels manager Kurt Suzuki said the righty reliever looks good and may be able to make his return to game action before long. When Joyce is activated, he could quickly work his way up to a high-leverage role and potentially even closing duties.
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Seranthony Dominguez RP | CHW
White Sox's Seranthony Dominguez: Tagged with blown save
Dominguez (0-1) blew his save opportunity and took the loss against the Brewers on Sunday. He allowed two runs on two hits and one walk in one-third of an inning.
The White Sox found themselves in trouble after loading the bases in the eighth inning, which prompted the team to bring in Dominguez to protect a three-run lead. He got the first batter he faced to pop out and was one out away from getting out of the frame unscathed. However, he proceeded to give up a two-run single to Luis Rengifo before yielding a three-run homer to Christian Yelich. It was a tough situation to get out of, but the White Sox signed Dominguez to a two-year, $20 million contract this past offseason to do just that.
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Kirby Yates RP | LAA
Angels' Kirby Yates: Playing catch
Yates has been playing catch, and his injured left knee is improving, per MLB.com.
Yates landed on the IL on March 24 due to left knee inflammation. The Angels are planning to take a cautious approach to his return, so the fact that he's been able to do some throwing -- even just by playing catch -- is a positive sign. Yates' next step will likely be a bullpen session. Jordan Romano is the lead candidate to work as Los Angeles' closer for the time being, and there's no guarantee Yates will be the top ninth-inning option upon his return.
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Drew Smith RP | WAS
Twins' Drew Smith: Lands MiLB deal with Minnesota
Smith signed a minor-league contract with Minnesota on Sunday, Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic reports.
The 32-year-old righty owns a 3.48 ERA and 1.28 WHIP over 192 career appearances in the majors, but after missing the entire 2025 season while recovering from his second Tommy John surgery, he had to settle for a minor-league deal with the Nationals in free agency this winter. Smith was released after he was unable to win a spot in Washington's season-opening bullpen, but he quickly found work in a new organization. He's expected to report to Triple-A St. Paul and could be in the mix for a call-up quickly if he shows that he's regained his pre-surgery velocity and command.
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Anthony Kay RP | CHW
White Sox's Anthony Kay: No-decision in first start of 2026
Kay did not factor into Sunday's decision against the Brewers. He allowed two runs on three hits and four walks while striking out five across 4.2 innings.
Kay yielded a two-run homer to Gary Sanchez in the first frame, but the former received plenty of run support from the White Sox through the first three innings of Sunday's game. However, Kay allowed at least two baserunners in three of five innings, running up his pitch count to 92 (54 strikes) before being pulled with two outs in the fifth frame. Kay mostly worked out of the bullpen in his MLB career before serving as a starter in 2024 and 2025 in Nippon Professional Baseball in Japan with the Yokohama Bay Stars. Kay is slated to start next weekend at home against the Blue Jays.
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Ryan Helsley RP | BAL
Orioles' Ryan Helsley: Converts second save
Helsley earned the save in Sunday's 8-6 win over the Twins, allowing one hit while logging a strikeout in a scoreless ninth inning.
Things got a little dicey for Helsley in the ninth inning. After Luke Keaschall led off the frame with a single, the Twins got the tying runs on base with two outs following a Gunnar Henderson error. However, Helsley was able to coax a flyout off the bat of James Outman, preserving the two-run victory while converting his second save in as many chances this season. Helsley has allowed just two hits and no walks while striking out four through his first two innings with the Orioles.
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Jeff Hoffman RP | TOR
Blue Jays' Jeff Hoffman: Secures first save
Hoffman earned the save in Sunday's 5-2 win over the Athletics, allowing one hit and no walks with two strikeouts in a scoreless ninth inning.
Hoffman was called upon to protect a three-run lead in the ninth and threw nine of 10 pitches for strikes to slam the door. It was a nice rebound after the 33-year-old blew his first save chance Friday, and he's racked up six punchouts through two appearances this season.