MLB Player News
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Justin Sterner RP | ATH
Athletics' Justin Sterner: Scoreless inning in team debut
Sterner didn't allow a hit but gave up two walks while striking out one over two-thirds of a scoreless inning Friday against the Mariners.
Sterner will pitch in middle relief after he was claimed by the A's off waivers from the Rays in the offseason. Sterner had strong strikeout rates in the minors, including a 31.4 K% at Triple-A last season. He's been prone to giving up home runs (1.36 HR/9 at Triple-A) and doesn't have great velocity (93.5 mph average fastball in the majors last season), so his upside may also be limited at age 28. Still, he could be a productive reliever for a team desperate for bullpen arms.
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Beau Brieske RP | DET
Tigers' Beau Brieske: Blows first save chance
Brieske (0-1) blew the save and took the loss in Friday's 8-5 extra-inning loss to the Dodgers, coughing up five runs (four earned) on four hits while recording just one out.
Dillon Dingler gave the Tigers a 5-3 lead in the top of the 10th inning with a two-run triple, setting the stage for Brieske's first save chance of the season. The right-hander instead melted down in spectacular fashion, giving up a leadoff double to Michael Conforto and a game-tying single to pinch hitter Will Smith before Mookie Betts walked it off with a three-run blast. Given his lack of a track record in the ninth-inning role, Brieske's leash is likely short -- even with Jason Foley beginning the season in Triple-A, the Tigers could turn to Tyler Holton, Tommy Kahnle or Will Vest to protect a late lead if Brieske continues to falter.
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Luke Jackson RP | SEA
Rangers' Luke Jackson: Secures first save
Jackson pitched a perfect ninth inning to pick up the save in Friday's 4-1 victory over Boston.
Despite Jackson's awful Opening Day performance that resulted in him taking his first loss of the year, the Rangers entrusted him with the ninth inning again Friday. He responded with a very efficient showing, recording all three outs on just nine pitches -- seven of which were strikes. The 33-year-old's bounce-back outing should keep him at the top of the pecking order for saves, though Chris Martin and Robert Garcia remain on hand should he falter.
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Brendon Little RP | TOR
Blue Jays' Brendon Little: Battling lat cramps
Little was removed from Friday's game against the Orioles due to a left lat cramp, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.
Little collected two strikeouts in the eighth inning before his lat forced him to make an early exit. He's slated to undergo further evaluation, though an extended absence likely won't be necessary.
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Pete Fairbanks RP | MIA
Rays' Pete Fairbanks: Picks up win vs. Rockies
Fairbanks (1-0) got the win over the Rockies on Friday, working a scoreless ninth inning with two walks and two strikeouts in the 3-2 win.
The Rays' closer put two men on in the ninth inning with walks, but one of them was erased when pinch runner Mickey Moniak was caught stealing second base. Jordan Beck, however, was successful with a stolen base, but Fairbanks struck out Brenton Doyle to end the inning. The Rays walked it off in the bottom of the ninth, which made Fairbanks the winning pitcher of record.
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Michael Fulmer RP | SF
Red Sox's Michael Fulmer: Being used in rotation at Triple-A
Fulmer will begin the season in the rotation at Triple-A Worcester, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.
Fulmer hasn't been a full-time starting pitcher since 2020 and missed the entire 2024 season following UCL revision surgery. However, he was stretched out during spring training and will represent rotation depth in the minors for the Red Sox.
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Matt Moore RP | BOS
Red Sox's Matt Moore: On minor-league IL with sore arm
Moore has been placed on the 7-day injured list at Triple-A Worcester due to left arm soreness, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.
It's not clear at this point how long Moore might be sidelined. The veteran left-hander was in Red Sox camp as a non-roster invitee but failed to make the Opening Day roster, and he won't be an option for the big club for a while.
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Justin Slaten RP | BOS
Red Sox's Justin Slaten: Notches save in opener
Slaten struck out one and didn't allow a baserunner in a scoreless ninth inning to earn the save Thursday against the Rangers.
Closer Aroldis Chapman entered for the eighth inning with the game tied 2-2, as the lefty-hitting Corey Seager was batting leadoff, opening up the ninth inning for Slaten after Boston took the lead. The right-hander recorded two saves and 13 holds with a 2.93 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 58:9 K:BB across 55.1 innings as a rookie last season, and he's one of the Red Sox's top relief arms again in 2025, even if Chapman is expected to be the primary closer early on.
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Luke Jackson RP | SEA
Rangers' Luke Jackson: Handed loss on Opening Day
Jackson (0-1) took the loss Thursday against the Red Sox after surrendering three runs on two hits and a walk over one-third of an inning. He struck out one.
The right-hander entered for the top of the ninth inning with the game tied 2-2 and struck out Triston Casas to open the frame. Jackson then allowed a single and a walk before serving up a three-run homer to Wilyer Abreu. Jackson emerged as the apparent favorite for saves late in spring training, and though Thursday wasn't a save situation, his 2025 campaign is off to an inauspicious start. Chris Martin and Robert Garcia are also in the closer mix, and rookie Marc Church could also be involved in high-leverage spots.
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T.J. McFarland RP | ATH
Athletics' T.J. McFarland: In setup mix
McFarland threw two-thirds of an inning with no hits or walks Thursday against the Mariners.
McFarland entered the game in the eighth inning after Jose Leclerc gave up two home runs and blew a one-run lead. McFarland put up a 3.81 ERA and 1.24 WHIP over 56.2 innings last year and tallied 19 holds. He could be a primary setup man for the A's alongside Leclerc, at least until Michel Otanez returns from a shoulder injury and is added to the mix.