MLB Player News

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Leclerc (0-1) blew the save and took the loss in Thursday's 4-2 loss against Seattle. He allowed three runs on two home runs and a walk while striking out one over one-third of an inning.

Leclerc was protecting a one-run lead in the eighth inning but needed 28 pitches to record just one out. Despite the setback, he may be the A's best setup man until Michel Otanez (shoulder) returns from the injured list.

Jax allowed a run on a home run and a walk while striking out one over two-thirds of an inning Thursday against the Cardinals.

Jax wasn't sharp in his first outing of the season as he was pulled after 21 pitches. Jax will reprise his late inning setup role again this season and should see some save chances when Jhoan Duran is used earlier in the game or unavailable.