MLB Player News

Romano picked up the save in Monday's 5-2 victory over the White Sox, tossing a perfect ninth inning with zero strikeouts.

Romano entered with a two-run lead in the ninth and retired Oscar Colas, Elvis Andrus and Lenyn Sosa in order. The right-handed closer is now 8-for-9 in save chances and holds a 3.48 ERA and a 1.35 WHIP with 12 strikeouts through 10.1 innings.

Cano struck out two in a perfect ninth inning Monday to record his first career save in a 5-4 win over the Red Sox.

With Felix Bautista having already logged 11 appearances in the O's first 21 games, manager Brandon Hyde elected to reward Cano for his incredible performance so far and give him his first career save opportunity. The 29-year-old didn't disappoint, and he's now retired the first 21 batters he's faced in 2023 -- the second-longest such streak to begin a season in franchise history. With Bautista entrenched as closer, Cano may have to be content with a setup role, but more high-leverage looks should be coming his way -- he has three holds and a save in six appearances, to go along with his unblemished ERA and WHIP and a 9:0 K:BB through seven innings.

Leclerc (0-1) allowed three walks and an unearned run over a third of an inning, picking up the loss in Monday's game against the Reds.

The base on balls -- an old Leclerc bugaboo -- reared itself once again. With the Rangers up, 6-4, in the bottom of the eighth inning, Leclerc entered a bases-loaded, two-out situation and promptly walked the first two batters faced (11 pitches, three strikes). He was eventually pulled after walking the first batter faced in the bottom of the ninth on four pitches. That run came home to score, in part due to a wild pitch by Will Smith, which made it unearned. The blown save was Leclerc's second of the season and second in as many outings.

Chapman (0-1) allowed a run on a hit and a walk with one strikeout over one inning, taking the loss Monday versus the Diamondbacks.

Chapman started the year on an eight-inning scoreless streak, but it came to a close Monday. He walked Christian Walker and allowed a single to Gabriel Moreno before Nick Ahmed's fielder's choice plated the decisive run in the bottom of the eighth inning. Chapman still has an excellent 16:3 K:BB with a 1.00 ERA and 0.67 WHIP through nine innings. However, the Royals' 5-18 start to the season has allowed him to pick up just one save and one hold. Chapman's usage suggests he's still at least slightly behind the struggling Scott Barlow in the closer hierarchy.

Barria (1-1) allowed three runs (two earned) on four hits and two walks over two innings Monday against Oakland. He was charged with a blown save and a loss while striking out one.

Barria entered the ninth inning with two runners on base and eventually walked in the game-tying run. He then coughed up three runs in the 10th, including a two-run double by Ryan Noda. Barria had turned in 7.2 consecutive scoreless innings since coughing up four runs in his season debut. He's sporting a 4.05 ERA across 13.1 innings.

Fujinami will be used out of the bullpen until further notice, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Fujinami has struggled as a starter through the first few weeks of the 2023 campaign, accruing a 14.40 ERA and 2.07 WHIP with a 12:12 K:BB across 15 frames. "We're going to put him in the pen and try to use him in a leverage role where we could watch him throw strikes and get his fastball command back," said manager Mark Kotsay, per Gallegos. "Not to say he can't return into the rotation, but in the short term, we're going to assess him in that direction."

Cisnero pitched a scoreless inning of relief and earned a hold in Monday's win over the Brewers.

The hold was the second of the season for Cisnero, who lowered his ERA to 4.50 to go along with a 1.38 WHIP and seven strikeouts across eight innings. He pitched the sixth inning in Monday's 4-2 win while Alex Lange closed things out in the ninth, so it seems like Cisnero is firmly in a setup role for the Tigers, which limits his fantasy appeal.

Lange struck out two batters in a perfect inning and earned a save over Milwaukee on Monday.

Lange tossed nine of 14 pitches for strikes in the dominant outing, including four whiffs. He's turned in seven straight scoreless appearances, posting an 11:2 K:BB during that stretch. He lowered his season ERA to 1.64 and has converted his last two save opportunities after blowing his first chance April 3.

Rodriguez (oblique) threw a bullpen session Monday, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

Rodriguez has thrown two bullpen sessions over the last few days and appears to be nearing a rehab assignment. He's been on the 15-day injured list since suffering a Grade 2 oblique strain on March 18 and remains without a firm timetable for a return.

Martin (shoulder) threw a bullpen before Monday's game against the Orioles and he could be activated off the injured list this weekend, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

Martin was placed on the injured list retroactive to April 13 with shoulder inflammation, and it appears the right-hander will come off the IL right around when he's eligible to be a part of the Red Sox bullpen. He'll likely operate in the middle innings once he's with the club.