MLB Player News
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Chris Paddack RP | MIA
Twins' Chris Paddack: First start coming Wednesday
Paddack is scheduled to start Wednesday's game against the Brewers at American Family Field.
After making his return from Tommy John surgery late last season, Paddack's lone three appearances with Minnesota came as a reliever, so he'll be making his first regular-season start since May 8, 2022 when he takes the hill Wednesday. The right-hander broke camp with a rotation spot in hand despite not being particularly sharp during Grapefruit League play, finishing with a 4.73 ERA, 1.58 WHIP and 10:3 K:BB in 13.1 innings.
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Dany Jimenez RP | ATL
Athletics' Dany Jimenez: Gets ninth-inning opportunity
Jimenez (1-0) picked up the win Sunday against Cleveland, giving up one hit and one walk in one scoreless inning. He didn't log a strikeout.
Jimenez was in contention for the closing role throughout the spring, but it appeared as though Mason Miller would be the first to get high-leverage ninth-inning duties. However, after Miller gave up two runs in one inning of work Saturday, Jimenez was handed the ball Sunday and took the A's home for their first win of the campaign. Considering the fluid closing situation and the lack of overall save chances, fantasy managers should be hesitant to rely upon any of Oakland's arms for save production.
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Josh Hader RP | HOU
Astros' Josh Hader: Takes loss against Yankees
Hader (0-1) took the loss against the Yankees on Sunday, yielding one run on two hits and no walks during one inning. He struck out two.
Hader took the mound in the ninth during a 3-3 tie but was unable to get through the inning unscathed. He surrendered back-to-back singles to Gleyber Torres and Juan Soto, with Soto's knock plating Torres after Torres stole second. Sunday's outing was Hader's first blemish of 2024 after giving up no hits and fanning five in his first two appearances covering two innings.
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Justin Slaten RP | BOS
Red Sox's Justin Slaten: Earns first save
Slaten struck out one batter over 2.1 perfect frames and earned a save over the Mariners on Sunday.
In his second career MLB appearance, Slaten needed just 15 pitches to record seven outs and close out the 5-1 win. Kenley Jansen is dealing with a back issue, so the Red Sox's bullpen is shortened. Slaten likely won't see many save opportunities throughout the year.
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Clay Holmes RP | NYM
Yankees' Clay Holmes: Caps off sweep with third save
Holmes earned a save Sunday against the Astros, allowing no runs on two hits and no walks across one inning. He didn't record a strikeout.
Holmes cashed in on his third save opportunity of the season, finishing the Yankees' first series with saves in three of four games. While he hasn't logged a strikeout in his three innings of work, he's also refrained from allowing a runner to score. Holmes is already one-eighth of the way to matching his 2023 save total and is one of five closers with multiple saves this season.
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Garrett Whitlock RP | BOS
Red Sox's Garrett Whitlock: Fans eight in win
Whitlock (1-0) allowed one run on three hits over five innings Sunday, striking out eight and earning a win over the Mariners.
The one run and three hits against Whitlock all came in the second inning, but he was nearly perfect otherwise. The 27-year-old righty looked terrific this spring and carried that momentum into his first appearance of the regular season. Whitlock's innings totals over the past three seasons have all been in the 70s, but he's in line for a full run in Boston's rotation in 2024.
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Carlos Estevez RP | KC
Angels' Carlos Estevez: Notches first save
Estevez picked up the save Sunday against the Orioles. He pitched a clean inning with no strikeouts.
Estevez calmly retired all three Orioles batters he faced Sunday to earn his first save of the season and 57th of his career. The 31-year-old reliever entered 2024 on the hot seat following the Angels' signing of Robert Stephenson over the winter. However, with Stephenson (shoulder) slated to be out until late April, Estevez should have no issue being the main saves target in the team's bullpen for now.
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Adrian Martinez RP | ATH
Athletics' Adrian Martinez: DFA'd by Oakland
The Athletics designated Martinez for assignment on Sunday.
Martinez was reassigned from minor-league camp in early March and has now lost his place on Oakland's 40-man roster. The right-hander pitched in 22 games for the A's last season and posted a 4.75 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 47:19 K:BB across 55 innings.
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Bennett Sousa RP | HOU
Astros' Bennett Sousa: Won't be back soon
Astros GM Dana Brown said Sunday it'll likely be "a few more weeks" before the full scope of Sousa's shoulder injury is determined, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
The left-hander landed on the injured list Thursday with shoulder inflammation, though the full specifics of the injury aren't yet known. Sousa doesn't have an official timeline for his return but will be sidelined well beyond the 15-day minimum.
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Kenley Jansen RP | DET
Red Sox's Kenley Jansen: Availability uncertain
Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Jansen (back) is still being evaluated ahead of Sunday's series finale against the Mariners, and the closer's availability has yet to be determined, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.
Jansen was unavailable to pitch Saturday due to back tightness, and it remains unclear if he'll be ready to go Sunday. The Red Sox seem likely to be cautious with the 36-year-old early in the season, especially since he had limited reps during spring training due to lat and back issues. Should Jansen be unavailable, Chris Martin is the favorite to fill in should a save chance arise.