MLB Player News

Garcia (1-0) gave up two runs on two hits and two walks in the eighth inning of Thursday's 10-9 victory over the Cardinals, getting charged with a blown save but picking up the win.

Few pitchers on either side fared well in the wild Opening Day contest, but it's noteworthy that Erik Swanson entered the game in fifth inning with the score tied 5-5 while Garcia got the nod in the eighth after the Jays had taken a brief 8-7 lead. If he remains the team's primary setup man in front of closer Jordan Romano, Garcia could top last year's career-high 22 holds, but he'll need to pitch better than he did Thursday to keep the spot.

Munoz picked up the save in Thursday's 3-0 win over the Guardians. He allowed two hits and no walks or strikeouts in a scoreless frame.

Paul Sewald handled a scoreless top of the eighth inning with the game tied 0-0 and the 6-7-8 hitters in the Guardians' order due up. After the Mariners scored three times in the bottom of the frame they turned things over to Munoz, who pitched around a single and a double. It was a rare outing without a strikeout for the right-hander -- he had just 14 of those last season among 64 appearances -- but his velocity was fine as he maxed out at 100.6 mph. Seattle figures to give both Munoz and Sewald save opportunities, but if one of them stakes a claim to the full-time closer job, it'll probably be Munoz.

White was placed on the 15-day injured list by the Blue Jays on Thursday with right elbow inflammation, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

White has dealt with both shoulder and elbow issues this spring and it's unclear when he might be available as an option for the Jays. He's out of minor-league options, so White will rejoin the big club when healthy, whether that's as a reliever or as part of the rotation.

Jimenez earned a save against the Angels on Thursday, pitching a scoreless ninth inning during which he allowed one walk and struck out one batter.

Oakland's closer situation had been hazy throughout the spring, but it may have gained some clarity Opening Day. With the A's trailing by a run heading into the eighth inning, manager Mark Kotsay turned to Trevor May, and after the team took the lead in the bottom of the frame, Jimenez was called upon to close things out in the ninth. The right-hander responded well to the situation, working around a one-out walk to shut the door. It would be premature to declare Jimenez a full-time closer, but he could be the most frequent recipient of save opportunities for Oakland given his success Thursday and the 11 saves he recorded last season.

Pressly (0-1) took the loss in Thursday's 3-2 loss against the White Sox. He allowed two runs on two hits and one walk while striking out one over one inning.

Pressly was called upon in the ninth inning with the score tied 1-1, and he was unable to keep Chicago off the board. After retiring Oscar Colas to begin the frame, Pressly allowed three straight hitters to reach base, with Andrew Vaughn's two-run double serving as the crushing blow. The Astros were able to fight back with one run in the bottom of the ninth but couldn't get Pressly off the hook for the loss. While this was certainly not the way the veteran closer envisioned his first outing of 2023 ending, he has plenty of job security and should get the first crack at a ninth-inning save opportunity whenever that arises.

Lopez picked up the save in Thursday's 3-2 victory over Houston. He allowed one run on one hit and one walk while striking out one over one inning.

With Liam Hendriks (illness) opening the season on the injured list, fantasy managers have been speculating on who would get the first crack at a save for the White Sox. Lopez became the answer to that question Thursday, as he was called upon in the ninth inning and was able to close things out despite giving up a solo home run to Yordan Alvarez and a walk to Kyle Tucker. Kendall Graveman did well as the setup man, pitching a scoreless ninth inning, and he could certainly see some closing opportunities as well. It appears that Lopez will at least be a consideration, though, until Hendriks is able to return.

Duran pitched a scoreless ninth inning while walking one and striking out one to earn the save Thursday against the Royals.

Duran was called upon to protect a two-run lead in the ninth inning. He allowed a one-out walk, though the lead never felt in danger and he collected his first save of the new campaign. Notably, Jorge Lopez recorded the final two outs of the seventh frame and does not currently appear to pose true competition to Duran for the closer role.

Romano picked up the save in Thursday's 10-9 win over the Cardinals. He struck out two over one perfect inning.

Romano brought some stability to a wild game, retiring the side in order on 12 pitches and punching out two in the process. He was the last of eight pitchers to appear for the Blue Jays. The right-hander now has 60 saves in 67 chances since the start of the 2021 season.

Thielbar threw a scoreless inning with a strikeout in Thursday's win over Kansas City.

Thielbar took over for starter Pablo Lopez in the sixth inning. Theilbar picked up where he left off last season when he posted a 12.1 K/9 and 15% swinging strike rate that was top 30 among qualified relievers. He'll reprise his role as Minnesota's top lefty reliever and will be used anywhere in the middle to late innings.

Lopez did not allow a run or hit while striking out one over two-thirds of an inning Thursday's win against the Royals to record his first hold.

It was notable that Lopez was used in the seventh inning with Griffin Jax in the eighth and Jhoan Duran for the save in the ninth. Manager Rocco Baldelli has managed his bullpen without regard for the save statistic in the past, but Thursday's game looked like a textbook use of Duran as the closer. Still, Duran may be used earlier in the game in high-leverage spots and not on multiple days, so Lopez could still be a factor for saves. However, after one game Lopez's prospects for saves may not look as good as previously thought.