MLB Player News

Hendriks was charged with a blown save after allowing an earned run on two hits and two walks over one inning in an extra-inning win over the Angels on Friday. He also recorded two strikeouts.

Hendriks was called on as expected in the ninth with the Athletics trying to protect a 3-2 lead, but he allowed a game-tying home run to Jason Castro after getting Albert Pujols on an inning-opening groundout. Hendriks was far from smooth the rest of the frame, allowing a single and two walks, but he ultimately got out of a bases-loaded jam with a strikeout of Shohei Ohtani. Hendriks and his fantasy managers will hope Friday's hiccup isn't a harbinger, considering the veteran closer blew seven of 32 save chances last season despite snagging his first career All-Star selection.

May threw a scoreless inning with a strikeout and a walk in Friday's season-opening win over the White Sox.

May showed improved velocity in the spring -- he hit a personal-high 99.8 mph on his fastball -- and looked sharp in his regular-season debut four months later. He's set for a high-leverage role in the bullpen despite being used in the fifth inning in Friday's win. Jose Berrios left after the fourth inning after a high pitch count, which got key relievers involved earlier than usual.

Beeks fired two scoreless innings during which he allowed one hit and struck out five in a loss to the Blue Jays on Friday.

Beeks earned an Opening Day roster spot with an impressive summer camp and immediately offered a reminder of his value to the Rays with Friday's performance. With starter Charlie Morton out of the game after four innings and 80 pitches, Beeks teamed with Ryan Thompson to eat up multiple innings in the middle of the game. The left-hander is likely set for plenty of similar assignments, especially in the early portion of the season when starters are still building up their arms.

Bolanos (ribs) was transferred to the Royals' taxi squad Saturday.

Bolanos made the Royals' initial 30-man roster, but he'll shift to the taxi squad after Brady Singer was activated ahead of his scheduled start Saturday. Even if Bolanos returns to the active roster, he's expected to be limited to lower-leverage work.

Hernandez worked around a hit and a walk in the eighth inning to record a hold in Friday's 1-0 win over the Rockies.

The Rangers' bullpen, including its setup staff, has been hit by injuries, so manager Torey Lovullo went with Hernandez as the bridge to closer Jose Leclerc. The right-hander had a total of 16.2 innings of MLB experience prior to 2020, but it looks like he'll be a trusted reliever early in the season. If Hernandez thrives in the role, he could remain part of the high-leverage crew.

Robles (0-1) was charged against the A's on Friday after allowing three runs (two earned) on one hit and a walk while striking out two across 1.1 innings.

Robles came into the ninth inning with Angels trailing by one and delivered a scoreless frame. He then returned in the 10th after the A's evened the score, 3-3. Unfortunately, Robles struggled this time around, hitting Ramon Laureano with a pitch, then striking out Matt Chapman before walking Kris Davis and loading up the bases thanks to the new MLB extra inning rule, which places a batter on second to start extra innings. Robles was then replaced by southpaw Hoby Milner, who gave up a grand slam to Matt Olson on his first pitch. Despite the loss, Robles is locked in for the closer role in Anaheim.

Leclerc earned his first save of the season by pitching a scoreless inning Friday against Colorado. He walked one and struck out two.

Leclerc needed 23 pitches (11 strikes) to get the win in a tight one-run contest, but he got the job done. He started the ninth with a walk to Ryan McMahon, but he redeemed himself with back-to-back strikeouts to Raimel Tapia and Sam Hilliard. Leclerc completed the save when Matt Kemp popped out to first. The 26-year-old went 14-for-18 in save opportunities while posting a 4.33 ERA during the 2019 season, and he is expected to be Texas' closer for the foreseeable future.

Giles fired one scoreless inning as he earned the save Friday against the Rays, allowing no hits and one walk while striking out two.

Giles is expected to see heavy usage as the Blue Jays' top option in the ninth inning this year, and he got off to a nice start Friday as he preserved a two-run lead. The right-hander converted 23 of 24 save chances with a 1.87 ERA and 83:17 K:BB over 53 innings in his first full season with the Blue Jays last season.

Romano (1-0) fired one scoreless inning Friday as he earned the win against the Rays. He allowed no hits and two walks while striking out two.

Romano came on to relieve Hyun-Jin Ryu with two outs in the fifth inning, and he was able to pick up the Opening Day win after he held the Rays in check. The 27-year-old earned his first major-league win Friday, and he could push for a setup role with the Blue Jays this season.

Puk (shoulder) will play catch Friday, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Puk's shoulder issues returned earlier in the week, leading to him being placed on the injured list with a shoulder strain Monday. He underwent a cortisone injection and is already ready to throw again, which is certainly a good sign for his eventual return to action. He's expected to miss at least two weeks, with Daniel Mengden filling his rotation spot for now.