MLB Player News

Jansen struck out one batter in a perfect ninth inning and earned a save over the Angels on Friday.

Jansen had walked five batters in his first three outings but finally worked a clean inning Friday, his third time pitching in the last four days. Despite some early command issues, the veteran closer has converted each of his three save chances and has yet to give up a run. His velocity is still a concern; Jansen's cutter, which averaged 94.3 mph last season, was down to just 90.7 mph Friday.

Stratton (1-0) earned the win Friday over the White Sox, allowing a hit and a walk while striking out one over one scoreless inning.

Stratton worked the top of the eighth inning, and the Royals broke a 1-1 tie in the bottom of the frame. The right-hander allowed two runs in his season debut March 28 versus the Twins, but he's bounced back with a pair of scoreless outings. The Royals' bullpen roles remain unsettled, but Stratton is still far down the pecking order for save chances even with Will Smith struggling out of the gate.

Munoz (0-1) allowed a run on four walks and took a loss against the Brewers on Friday. He struck out one batter.

Munoz simply could not find the strike zone Friday. He tossed only nine of 26 pitches for strikes and walked William Contreras with the bases loaded to end the game. It was Munoz's second straight appearance allowing a run but he'd produced a 4:0 K:BB before Friday's meltdown. Overall, the performance shouldn't have much of an impact on his status as Seattle's closer.

Bradford (2-0) yielded one run on two hits over 7.2 frames Friday, striking out four and earning a win over the Astros.

Bradford dominated Houston on Friday, spinning seven shutout frames before the Astros finally pushed a run home in the eighth inning. The 26-year-old wasn't expected to last long in the Rangers' rotation but he may be forcing them to reconsider. Through two starts, he's posted an impressive 10:1 K:BB with a 2.13 ERA over 12.2 innings.

McArthur picked up the save Friday against the White Sox, allowing no runs in two-thirds of an inning with no strikeouts.

McArthur entered with one out in the top of the ninth inning after Will Smith opened the frame and struggled, yielding a double and a walk after striking out Yoan Moncada. McArthur replaced the veteran southpaw and induced Andrew Vaughn to hit into a double play, earning his first save of the season. Smith has pitched poorly to open the season, leaving plenty of room for McArthur to seize the closer job in Kansas City, but Friday was the first time in four appearances that the right-hander hadn't allowed a run.

Brebbia exited Friday's game versus Kansas City early due to right calf soreness.

Brebbia battled a right calf strain during most of spring training, and he seems to be experiencing issues with that same calf once again. The severity of the right-hander's injury remains unknown, but a trip to the IL may be necessary to ensure his calf gets back to 100 percent.

Brebbia was removed from Friday's game against the Royals with an apparent injury, LaMond Pope of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Brebbia looked uncomfortable on the mound after fielding a comebacker during the the sixth inning, and he was pulled from the game after throwing a few warmup pitches in front of trainers. It's not immediately apparent what is bothering the 33-year-old right-hander, who is expected to be part of the late-inning mix for the White Sox this season.

Kimbrel struck out two in a perfect ninth inning Friday to record his first save of the season in a 5-2 win over the Pirates.

The veteran closer blew his first save of the season, but Kimbrel bounced back in his second appearance despite a fastball that topped out at 93.8 mph, although bad weather in Pittsburgh may have contributed to his inability to fully dial it up. Kimbrel is being counted on to handle the ninth inning for the O's this season while Felix Bautista (elbow) recovers from Tommy John surgery, and while the 35-year-old won't be as dominant as the younger reliever he's replacing, he's got more than enough experience -- his 418 career saves is eighth on MLB's all-time list.

Fairbanks (0-1) walked all three batters he faced in the ninth inning Friday and watched them all come around to score, getting tagged with the loss as the Rays fell 10-7 to the Rockies.

Tampa Bay rallied for five runs in the top of the ninth at Coors Field, creating a save situation for Fairbanks, but he couldn't find the plate and tossed only five of 17 pitches for strikes, uncorking a wild pitch along the way. After the right-hander loaded the bases, Jason Adam replaced him and served up a walkoff grand slam to Ryan McMahon. Fairbanks has been charged with four runs in 2.0 innings over his first three appearances with a 3:4 K:BB, and his fastball topped out at 96 mph Friday after averaging 97.8 mph last year. As yet there's been no indication his spot as the Rays' closer is in jeopardy, but his job security could be eroding.

Lange earned the save in Friday's 5-4 win over the A's, striking out the lone batter he faced in a third of an inning.

Andrew Chafin was brought on to start the ninth, but he allowed a pair of walks before Lange was brought in to face the right-handed Zack Gelof, who he struck out on four pitches. It's the first save of the season for Lange, who was initially expected to serve as Detroit's primary ninth-inning option. However, it appears that the Tigers will opt for a modified closing committee, with Jason Foley (who pitched the eighth Friday) getting the highest-leverage usage. Lange converted 26 of 32 save chances last season, pitching to a 3.68 ERA with a 79:45 K:BB across 66 innings.