MLB Player News

Leclerc did not allow a baserunner and earned the save Tuesday against the Astros.

Leclerc needed only six pitches to pick up his second save of the season, easily retiring the Astros in order. He recorded all three outs via the groundball and has allowed only two baserunners in 3.1 innings of work this season. Though it's early in the campaign, he seems to have a firm grasp on the closer role in Texas.

Miller allowed two earned runs on five hits and five walks while striking out two across 3.2 innings Tuesday against the Rangers. He did not factor into the decision.

Miller wasn't hit particularly hard -- he didn't allow any extra-base hits -- but found the strike zone on only 47 of his 88 pitches, leading to his short outing. He has only managed to pitch 38 innings across the past two seasons combined, so seeing him start and throw a relatively high number of pitches is positive. However, he'll have to show a lot of improvement with his control to be relevant for most formats.

Castro gave up a solo home run and recorded one strikeout to earn the save in Tuesday's 2-1 win over Toronto.

Castro was unable to preserve the shutout as he served up the homer to Rowdy Tellez, but was nonetheless able to secure the victory. Castro hadn't recorded a save since the 2015 season, but appears to be starting out in a high-leverage role for the Orioles in 2019.

Chapman (0-1) gave up two runs on three hits and one walk over an inning of work to take the loss versus the Tigers on Tuesday.

Chapman was called upon in a tie game in the ninth inning and struck out the first batter he faced. However, he then surrendered two runs on a walk and three hits before retiring the side. The 31-year-old will try to improve in his next outing, although he may not be available Wednesday after throwing 23 pitches in this losing effort.

Ottavino fired 1.1 innings in a scoreless relief appearance in the Yankees' 3-1 loss to the Tigers on Tuesday, striking out three with no walks.

The righty has been as advertised so far for his new team, as he has yet to concede a run or a hit in any of his four relief appearances, to go along with six strikeouts against two walks. Save opportunities don't figure to come by all that frequently with Arolodis Chapman the go-to option at closer, but Ottavino's devastating stuff and brilliant 112:36 K:BB over 77.2 innings last season with Colorado suggest he'll continue to post stellar ratios and rack up plenty of strikeouts.

Jimenez (1-0) pitched a scoreless eighth inning with a strikeout and recorded the win in Tuesday's game against the Yankees.

Jimenez breezed through three New York hitters on just 11 pitches (nine for strikes), then grabbed his first win of the year when Detroit scored twice in the top of the ninth to pull ahead 3-1. The 24-year-old is still stuck behind Shane Greene in Detroit's bullpen pecking order, but that could change if the latter struggles or gets traded at some point this season.

Burke will start the season opener for Double-A Frisco on Thursday, Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reports.

Burke is a left-handed pitcher Texas acquired from Tampa Bay during the offseason as part of a three-team deal involving Jurikson Profar. He made nine starts at the Double-A level in the Rays organization. The 22-year-old will lead the next wave of prospect pitchers currently assigned to the Rough Riders. After Burke on Thursday, right-hander Jonathan Hernandez will throw Friday and lefty Joe Palumbo goes Sunday.

VerHagen (forearm) will require a rehab assignment before coming off the IL, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

The minor-league season begins Thursday, so VerHagen likely won't be returning this week if he needs a tuneup in the minors. He is without a timetable to even begin that rehab assignment, but once fully healthy he will assume a mid-leverage relief role.

Betances (shoulder) will face hitters soon and will likely return quickly after that, Lindsey Adler of The Athletic reports.

He threw a bullpen session over the weekend and it sounds like he could advance to facing hitters sometime this week. If all goes according to plan, Betances should return from the IL sometime in mid-April.

Loaisiga will be recalled to start Wednesday's game against the Tigers, Coley Harvey of ESPN.com reports.

This was widely anticipated, but fantasy owners who plugged Loaisiga into lineups this week can breathe a sigh of relief now that we have confirmation from the team. Per Lindsey Adler of The Athletic, CC Sabathia (knee/chest) is expected back in mid-to-late-April, so Loaisiga may not stick in the rotation indefinitely. However, this is a pretty appealing matchup for a pitcher who logged a 2.95 xFIP and 33 strikeouts in 24.2 innings in the majors last season.