MLB Player News

Soto earned the save after striking out one and walking one during the ninth inning of Thursday's 4-2 win in Kansas City.

Soto pitched around a walk to record his second save of the season. The 2021 All-Star became the Tigers' closer mid-season last year and is 2-for-2 in save opportunities to open 2022. While the 27-year-old only has two strikeouts in four innings this season, he averaged better than 10 K/9 in each of the last two campaigns and should begin to pile up more punchouts as the year progresses.

King recorded his first save of the season, pitching one inning and striking out one in a 3-0 win Thursday over Toronto.

King entered the game with no outs and the bases loaded, following three consecutive walks by Aroldis Chapman. The 26-year-old needed just five pitches to get out of the jam as he struck out George Springer and Bo Bichette lined into a game-ending double-play. It was the first career save for King. He is fairly far down the depth chart in the Yankees bullpen and is unlikely to get many more save opportunities anytime soon.

Barria allowed two runs (one earned) on four hits while striking out two in four innings in a 10-5 loss Thursday in Texas.

Barria entered an 8-2 game in the fifth inning after starter Shohei Ohtani was knocked out early. After giving up two runs in the fifth, Barria settled down and held the Rangers scoreless over the final three frames. The 25-year-old has been relegated to long-relief duties for the Angels to start the season and has yet to walk a batter through 6.2 innings.

Jimenez earned his first save of the season after pitching a scoreless ninth inning during Thursday's 6-3 win over the Rays. He didn't register a walk or strikeout.

Jimenez drew his first save opportunity in his third appearance of the season. With a three-run lead, the 28-year-old reliever made quick work of the Rays despite an error from first baseman Billy McKinney. Closer Lou Trivino pitched the previous two days and three of the last four, which likely opened up the save chance for Jimenez.

Fleming (1-1) took the loss after giving up five runs (three earned) on seven hits across 3.1 innings during Thursday's 6-3 loss to Oakland. He struck out six and walked one.

Fleming replaced Luis Patino (oblique) in the rotation and threw a season-high 67 pitches. While he got into trouble in every inning, the 25-year-old displayed the potential to be a high-strikeout long reliever after posting a 5.6 K/9 in 26 starts last year. Through 6.2 innings this season, Fleming has recorded 11 strikeouts compared to just one walk.

Lambert (0-1) took the loss after allowing two runs on two hits across three innings during Thursday's 5-1 loss to the Mariners. He walked one and struck out one.

Lambert gave up a two-run home run to Jarred Kelenic in the second inning but didn't allow a baserunner in his other two frames. As expected, he only threw 49 pitches and will likely have a similar workload during his next outing while he ramps up his conditioning following a shortened spring training. Lucas Giolito (abdominal) was placed on the injured list Tuesday, and Lambert is expected to continue drawing short spot starts in the ace's absence, though Giolito said recently that he's feeling much better than he did after initially suffering the injury.

Santana was placed on the COVID-19 injured list for an undisclosed reason Thursday.

Santana is reportedly asymptomatic, but it's not yet clear whether he's tested positive for COVID-19. Right-hander Nick Snyder was recalled from Triple-A Round Rock to provide bullpen depth, while it's not yet known when Santana will be able to return.

Howard was placed on the 10-day injured list with a cracked finger nail/blister Thursday, retroactive to April 11.

Howard was scheduled to start Friday's game against the Angels, but he's dealing with a finger issue that will force him to miss time. Since the move was backdated, it's possible he'll be able to return after missing just one turn through the rotation. The Rangers haven't yet indicated who will start Friday's matchup, but the team will likely rely heavily on its bullpen.

The Blue Jays are hopeful Pearson (illness) will be ready to resume throwing off a mound this weekend or early next week, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Toronto is continuing to bring Pearson along slowly in his throwing progression after the hard-throwing righty recently battled mononucleosis. While advancing to mound work would represent a step forward for Pearson, he's still likely at least a week or more away from heading out on a minor-league rehab assignment. The Blue Jays are planning to have Pearson build up for starting duty, so he'll presumably require at least two rehab appearances or simulated games at lower-level affiliates before likely settling in the rotation at Triple-A Buffalo once he's formally reinstated from the 10-day injured list.

Borucki (hamstring) is scheduled to throw a one-inning simulated game Friday, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

Borucki threw 30 pitches in a simulated game Tuesday, but he'll be limited to just one inning during Friday's throwing session. If he checks out fine after the sim game, the southpaw will be in the mix begin a rehab assignment afterward, or he could directly join the Blue Jays' bullpen if the team needs additional relievers.