MLB Player News

Yarbrough pitched 1.2 perfect relief innings without recording a strikeout in Saturday's 2-0 loss to the Twins.

Yarbrough was slowed by a groin strain during spring training, so he hasn't had the ability to stretch out yet. He was efficient Saturday, throwing just 12 pitches (nine strikes) to get five outs. It appears Yarbrough could be headed for a multi-inning role out of the bullpen this season, which would sap most of his fairly limited fantasy value. Should Kris Bubic falter as the fifth starter, Yarbrough still has a path to the rotation if he can build up during the season.

Clase earned a save Saturday against the Mariners, striking out one batter in a perfect inning of work.

After Aaron Civale gave Cleveland seven scoreless innings, manager Terry Francona turned to James Karinchak in the eighth. Karinchak continued the shutout, and Clase finished things off with a perfect ninth. He needed just eight pitches, seven of which were strikes, to earn the save. Clase is among the most reliable closers in baseball, having converted 67 of 76 save chances since the start of 2021.

Fujinami (0-1) took the loss against the Angels on Saturday, allowing eight runs on five hits and three walks while striking out four batters over 2.1 innings.

After 10 years pitching in Japan with Nippon Professional Baseball's Hanshin Tigers, Fujinami signed on with the Athletics in January. This probably wasn't how he envisioned his first major-league start going, as the Angels chased him after just 2.1 frames. The right-hander actually looked great over his first two innings, striking out four batters without allowing a baserunner. Things completely unraveled for him in the third, however, as Los Angeles put eight of the first nine batters on base, with the only out being recorded on a sacrifice fly. Fujinami will look for much better results the next time he takes the mound, which is tentatively scheduled to be next Saturday in Tampa.

Davidson picked up a save Saturday against Oakland, hurling four scoreless innings during which he allowed three hits and one walk while striking out three batters.

Davidson will presumably be the Angels' sixth starter the first time the team needs a pitcher to fill that role, but with the Angels getting a day off Friday, the left-hander was tabbed to stretch out in long relief for his season debut. He got through four frames on 41 pitches (25 strikes) and looked good in keeping the Athletics off the scoreboard. Fantasy managers shouldn't read into Davidson's save Saturday as any indication of him jumping into the Angels' unsettled closer situation, so those who roster him for his potential future starts and happened to have him in their lineup this weekend should see this as a happy, but probably one-time, bonus.

Trivino (elbow) was able to throw off a mound Friday, James O'Connell of the New York Daily News reports.

Trivino opened the season on the injured list with a ligament strain in his right elbow. The right-hander is expected to miss most of April while recovering, but it's good news that the former Oakland stopper is able to get on the mound in the early part of the month. Because he missed so much of the spring, it's all but assured that Trivino will have to go on a rehab assignment before returning.

Kahnle (biceps) could start throwing as soon as next week, James O'Connell of the New York Daily News reports.

Kahnle is on the 15-day injured list with tendinitis in his right biceps, and it's a positive sign that he's feeling well enough to possibly start his throwing program in the coming days. He'll likely need a rehab assignment because of his missed time, but if things go well, he could be helping the New York bullpen before the end of April.

Neris picked up the save Saturday against the White Sox, allowing one run on two hits and a walk in 1.1 innings while striking out two.

Ryan Pressly's illness led to a save chance for Rafael Montero on Friday and one for Neris on Saturday. Neris struck out Elvis Andrus to clean up Ryne Stanek's mess in the eighth inning, though he got into trouble himself in the next frame. Yasmani Grandal walked to start the inning and came around to score on a pair of two-out singles, but Neris struck out Yoan Moncada to seal the deal. Neris may not add too many more saves to his ledger the rest of the way, however, as both Pressly and Montero are ahead of him on the closer depth chart.

Twins manager Rocco Baldelli told reporters that Duran was unavailable for Saturday's game versus the Royals after "sleeping funny," Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Baldelli said that it was nothing serious, but that's why it was Jorge Lopez who received the save chance for Saturday's game rather than Duran. The talented right-hander will likely to be available going forward, and it appears he's the favorite for save chances to begin -- and likely end -- the 2023 campaign.

Jansen (1-0) picked up a win with a scoreless ninth inning against the Orioles on Saturday. He allowed a hit and a walk while striking out two.

Jansen came in to pitch in a game that Boston trailed 8-7, so it was unlikely he was going to factor into the decision. The Red Sox were able to score twice in the bottom of the ninth after his scoreless frame, however, so he got his first win as a member of the club. His first chance for a save with the Red Sox should come soon.

Bautista (0-1) allowed two unearned runs on one hit over two-thirds of an inning and picked up a loss and a blown save Saturday against the Red Sox.

Bautista should have picked up his second save of the season, but Ryan McKenna dropped a flyball with two outs. Adam Duvall took Bautista deep to give Boston the victory. It's disappointing for fantasy managers who roster the hard-throwing 27-year-old to pick up the loss and no save, but the runs being unearned won't hurt his ERA.