Houston Astros closer Josh Hader and right-handed reliever Bryan Abreu are both unavailable on Monday night against the Toronto Blue Jays, according to manager Joe Espada. Hader pitched three of the first four games of the season against the New York Yankees over the weekend, and Abreu threw on Saturday and Sunday during the team's four-game sweep at the hands of the Yankees. If a save situation arises for the Astros on Monday versus the Blue Jays, it will likely be Ryan Pressly who gets the save chance. Hader, a five-time All-Star, has been busy in the early going in his first year in Houston, but he doesn't have a save to show for it after the team got swept by the Yankees in the four-game series over the weekend. He's allowed an earned run on two hits while walking one and fanning seven in his first three innings of work.

Major League Baseball said on Monday that Houston Astros relief pitcher Bryan Abreu's two-game suspension for throwing at Texas Rangers outfielder Adolis Garcia in Game 5 of the American League Championship Series on Friday is upheld, but the suspension will be served in the first two games of the 2024 season. Abreu, who pitched an inning in the Game 6 loss on Sunday, will be available out of Houston's bullpen in Game 7 on Tuesday and would be available to pitch in the World Series if the Astros are able to take care of business at home in the winner-take-all. The 26-year-old right-hander is a shutdown relief weapon for Houston and has been all year. He's allowed two earned runs (both in the ALCS) in 7 1/3 postseason innings while striking out 13 and walking only two.

Houston Astros relief pitcher Bryan Abreu's appeal of his two-game suspension for throwing at Texas Rangers outfielder Adolis Garcia in Game 5 of the American League Championship Series on Friday is being heard on Monday. While he was appealing the suspension, the Astros used Abreu for an inning of relief in the 9-2 loss in Game 5 on Sunday. In that outing, Abreu allowed an earned run on two hits while walking none and striking out two. It's highly unlikely that the 26-year-old right-hander will be available for Game 7 on Monday. Abreu was lights-out all year for the Astros and had five saves, a 1.75 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 100 strikeouts in 72 innings out of the bullpen, so not having him available for a pivotal Game 7 on Monday is a big deal.

Houston Astros relief pitcher Bryan Abreu was given a two-game suspension Saturday for hitting Rangers outfielder Adolis Garcia with a pitch during Game 5. Abreu can appeal the decision, and likely will, meaning he should be available for the rest of the ALCS. The 26-year-old was also fined an undisclosed amount for his actions.

Houston Astros relief pitcher Bryan Abreu was called upon to protect a one-run lead versus the Oakland Athletics on Sunday. Normally, Ryan Pressly is the closer in Houston, but he received an off day here. In his absence, Abreu came in and retired all three batters he faced, including two strikeouts. The 26-year-old recorded his third save of the season with his scoreless outing here. He holds a 2.66 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and a 71/19 K/BB across 47 1/3 innings this season. He's worth rostering in leagues where holds matter, but doesn't usually get many save chances.

Houston Astros reliever Bryan Abreu was called upon in a save situation for the second game in a row and was once again successful in closing the game out. It is an interesting development, as presumed closer Ryan Pressly should have been available after resting yesterday. Manager Dusty Baker said that Pressly was unavailable, but did not give a reason why. It is something to watch, as Abreu has been excellent this year, posting a 0.79 ERA and 0.88 WHIP, and Pressly now only has one of Houston's five saves on the season.

Houston Astros reliever Bryan Abreu was the man manager Dusty Baker trusted with the ninth inning on Saturday when his club beat the Atlanta Braves 6-3. He struck out a pair without giving up a baserunner to earn his first save of the season. Abreu's been dominant this season, posting a 0.79 ERA, 0.88 WHIP, 42.9% strikeout rate and three holds. Despite the right-hander's brilliance, it's still Ryan Pressly who holds the closer job and got the day off after pitching three of the last four days. Fantasy managers should expect Abreu to earn a handful of save situations while collecting a number of holds throughout 2023.

Houston Astros pitcher Bryan Abreu allowed a walk while striking out one across a 1/3 of an inning to earn the save in Tuesday's 4-2 win over the Minnesota Twins. He entered the game in the ninth inning, following Hector Neris with two outs in the ninth frame. The 25-year-old allowed a walk before striking out Jake Cave to notch his second save of the season. Houston's primary closer Ryan Pressly (neck) was unavailable on Tuesday due to neck stiffness; Abreu could be in line for more save opportunities if Pressly misses any more time and is a speculative add-in deep-league formats.

Houston Astros relief pitcher Bryan Abreu picked up his second save of the season in Tuesday's 4-2 win over the Twins. Abreu came in to finish the ninth inning up by two with two outs and runners on first and second. Abreu walked the first hitter he faced to load the bases but ended things there with a strikeout. The 25-year-old came in to relieve Hector Neris, who started the inning with a four-run lead. Abreu has pitched well out of the bullpen this season, posting a 2.27 ERA in 43 2/3 innings pitched. However, his fantasy value is very limited, as Ryan Pressly is firming entrenched as the team's closer.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Patrick Sandoval had his no-hit bid broken up with one out in the ninth inning on a soft double by rookie Brent Rooker and the Los Angeles Angels beat the Minnesota Twins 2-1 on Saturday night. Sandoval, a 24-year-old lefty who began the game with a 3-13 career record, struck out a career-high 13. There have already been seven no-hitters in the majors this season. The big league record of eight was set in 1884, the first year overhand pitching was permitted. The Twins hadn’t come close to a hit until Rooker, who fanned his first three times up, flared an opposite-field fly that fell just inside the line in right. Sandoval (3-4) smiled after the ball fell, retired the next batter and then was pulled after 108 pitches. He walked one and hit two. Closer Raisel Iglesias allowed an RBI double to Josh Donaldson before getting his 21st save in 25 chances. José Berríos (7-5) allowed two unearned runs in seven innings in perhaps his final start for Minnesota. ASTROS 4, RANGERS... [More]

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Patrick Sandoval had his no-hit bid broken up with one out in the ninth inning on a soft double by rookie Brent Rooker and the Los Angeles Angels beat the Minnesota Twins 2-1 on Saturday night. Sandoval, a 24-year-old lefty who began the game with a 3-13 career record, struck out a career-high 13. There have already been seven no-hitters in the majors this season. The big league record of eight was set in 1884, the first year overhand pitching was permitted. The Twins hadn’t come close to a hit until Rooker, who fanned his first three times up, flared an opposite-field fly that fell just inside the line in right. Sandoval (3-4) smiled after the ball fell, retired the next batter and then was pulled after 108 pitches. He walked one and hit two. Closer Raisel Iglesias allowed an RBI double to Josh Donaldson before getting his 21st save in 25 chances. José Berríos (7-5) allowed two unearned runs in seven innings in perhaps his final start for Minnesota. ASTROS 4, RANGERS... [More]

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Patrick Sandoval had his no-hit bid broken up with one out in the ninth inning on a soft double by rookie Brent Rooker and the Los Angeles Angels beat the Minnesota Twins 2-1 on Saturday night. Sandoval, a 24-year-old lefty who began the game with a 3-13 career record, struck out a career-high 13. There have already been seven no-hitters in the majors this season. The big league record of eight was set in 1884, the first year overhand pitching was permitted. The Twins hadn’t come close to a hit until Rooker, who fanned his first three times up, flared an opposite-field fly that fell just inside the line in right. Sandoval (3-4) smiled after the ball fell, retired the next batter and then was pulled after 108 pitches. He walked one and hit two. Closer Raisel Iglesias allowed an RBI double to Josh Donaldson before getting his 21st save in 25 chances. José Berríos (7-5) allowed two unearned runs in seven innings in perhaps his final start for Minnesota. ASTROS 4, RANGERS... [More]

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Patrick Sandoval had his no-hit bid broken up with one out in the ninth inning on a soft double by rookie Brent Rooker and the Los Angeles Angels beat the Minnesota Twins 2-1 on Saturday night. Sandoval, a 24-year-old lefty who began the game with a 3-13 career record, struck out a career-high 13. There have already been seven no-hitters in the majors this season. The big league record of eight was set in 1884, the first year overhand pitching was permitted. The Twins hadn’t come close to a hit until Rooker, who fanned his first three times up, flared an opposite-field fly that fell just inside the line in right. Sandoval (3-4) smiled after the ball fell, retired the next batter and then was pulled after 108 pitches. He walked one and hit two. Closer Raisel Iglesias allowed an RBI double to Josh Donaldson before getting his 21st save in 25 chances. José Berríos (7-5) allowed two unearned runs in seven innings in perhaps his final start for Minnesota. ASTROS 4, RANGERS... [More]

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Patrick Sandoval had his no-hit bid broken up with one out in the ninth inning on a soft double by rookie Brent Rooker and the Los Angeles Angels beat the Minnesota Twins 2-1 on Saturday night. Sandoval, a 24-year-old lefty who began the game with a 3-13 career record, struck out a career-high 13. There have already been seven no-hitters in the majors this season. The big league record of eight was set in 1884, the first year overhand pitching was permitted. The Twins hadn’t come close to a hit until Rooker, who fanned his first three times up, flared an opposite-field fly that fell just inside the line in right. Sandoval (3-4) smiled after the ball fell, retired the next batter and then was pulled after 108 pitches. He walked one and hit two. Closer Raisel Iglesias allowed an RBI double to Josh Donaldson before getting his 21st save in 25 chances. José Berríos (7-5) allowed two unearned runs in seven innings in perhaps his final start for Minnesota. ASTROS 4, RANGERS... [More]

HOUSTON (AP) — The Houston Astros lost their combined no-hit bid in the eighth when Isiah Kiner-Falefa singled to start the inning for the Texas Rangers. Framber Valdez needed 99 pitches to get through six innings and Bryan Abreu took over for the seventh. Ryne Stanek came on in the eighth and Kiner-Falefa smacked his second pitch into shallow center field for the hit. Center fielder Myles Straw sprinted in and dived to try and make the catch, but it bounced just in front of his glove. Andy Ibáñez reached on a fielding error by Carlos Correa to start the seventh when he bobbled his grounder and didn't attempt a throw to first. Abreu retired David Dahl on a fly out before striking out Charlie Culberson and Jose Trevino to end the inning. Valdez struggled with command on Saturday night and tied a career high by walking six batters. Four of his six walks came in the first two innings. He settled down after the second and retired 12 of his last 14 batters. The 27-year-old left-hander was making... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — Bryce Harper homered and tied a career high with five hits, Andrew McCutchen smacked a grand slam and the Philadelphia Phillies handed Chicago its 11th straight loss, beating the Cubs 15-10 on Tuesday night. Rhys Hoskins also went deep. The Phillies jumped on Jake Arrieta (5-9) and finished two shy of a season high with 16 hits. The Cubs extended their worst skid since they dropped 12 in a row in May 2012. Harper had a three-run homer and a season-high four RBIs. McCutchen smacked his third career grand slam and second this season. Jean Segura chipped in with four hits and four runs. Aaron Nola (6-5) went six innings, allowing four runs and six hits. He struck out eight and walked one. Arrieta matched the second-shortest start of his career, lasting just 1 2/3 innings in his second straight outing. He gave up seven runs, tying a season high, and six hits. Javier Báez hit two homers and Robinson Chirinos added a solo shot for the Cubs. ANGELS 5, RED SOX 3 ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP)... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — Bryce Harper homered and tied a career high with five hits, Andrew McCutchen smacked a grand slam and the Philadelphia Phillies handed Chicago its 11th straight loss, beating the Cubs 15-10 on Tuesday night. Rhys Hoskins also went deep. The Phillies jumped on Jake Arrieta (5-9) and finished two shy of a season high with 16 hits. The Cubs extended their worst skid since they dropped 12 in a row in May 2012. Harper had a three-run homer and a season-high four RBIs. McCutchen smacked his third career grand slam and second this season. Jean Segura chipped in with four hits and four runs. Aaron Nola (6-5) went six innings, allowing four runs and six hits. He struck out eight and walked one. Arrieta matched the second-shortest start of his career, lasting just 1 2/3 innings in his second straight outing. He gave up seven runs, tying a season high, and six hits. Javier Báez hit two homers and Robinson Chirinos added a solo shot for the Cubs. ANGELS 5, RED SOX 3 ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP)... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — Bryce Harper homered and tied a career high with five hits, Andrew McCutchen smacked a grand slam and the Philadelphia Phillies handed Chicago its 11th straight loss, beating the Cubs 15-10 on Tuesday night. Rhys Hoskins also went deep. The Phillies jumped on Jake Arrieta (5-9) and finished two shy of a season high with 16 hits. The Cubs extended their worst skid since they dropped 12 in a row in May 2012. Harper had a three-run homer and a season-high four RBIs. McCutchen smacked his third career grand slam and second this season. Jean Segura chipped in with four hits and four runs. Aaron Nola (6-5) went six innings, allowing four runs and six hits. He struck out eight and walked one. Arrieta matched the second-shortest start of his career, lasting just 1 2/3 innings in his second straight outing. He gave up seven runs, tying a season high, and six hits. Javier Báez hit two homers and Robinson Chirinos added a solo shot for the Cubs. ANGELS 5, RED SOX 3 ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP)... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — Bryce Harper homered and tied a career high with five hits, Andrew McCutchen smacked a grand slam and the Philadelphia Phillies handed Chicago its 11th straight loss, beating the Cubs 15-10 on Tuesday night. Rhys Hoskins also went deep. The Phillies jumped on Jake Arrieta (5-9) and finished two shy of a season high with 16 hits. The Cubs extended their worst skid since they dropped 12 in a row in May 2012. Harper had a three-run homer and a season-high four RBIs. McCutchen smacked his third career grand slam and second this season. Jean Segura chipped in with four hits and four runs. Aaron Nola (6-5) went six innings, allowing four runs and six hits. He struck out eight and walked one. Arrieta matched the second-shortest start of his career, lasting just 1 2/3 innings in his second straight outing. He gave up seven runs, tying a season high, and six hits. Javier Báez hit two homers and Robinson Chirinos added a solo shot for the Cubs. PIRATES 2, BRAVES 1 PITTSBURGH (AP) —... [More]

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Bryan Reynolds drew a four-pitch walk from Tyler Matzek, forcing in the winning run in the ninth inning and giving the Pittsburgh Pirates a 2-1 victory over the Atlanta Braves on Tuesday night and a three-game winning streak. Matzek (0-3) threw just eight of 20 pitches for strikes. Pittsburgh has won three in a row following a six-game losing streak. The Braves had won four of five before losing twice to the Pirates. Ke’Bryan Hayes hit a pair of doubles for the Pirates. Adam Frazier and Wilmer Difo also had two hits each. Orlando Arcia had two of the Braves’ five hits, including a home run. Richard Rodríguez (4-1) pitched a perfect ninth for the Pirates. ORIOLES 7, BLUE JAYS 5 BALTIMORE (AP) — Pedro Severino and Cedric Mullins homered off Steven Matz, Anthony Santander also went deep and Baltimore beat Toronto. Toronto hit three home runs, too, including No. 28 by Vladimir Guerrero Jr. All the homers came after Baltimore had taken a 7-1 lead. Matz (7-4) allowed six hits... [More]