MLB Player News

Sands gave up a run over two innings with two strikeouts, no walks and a home run allowed in Sunday's blowout loss at Kansas City.

Sands made the major-league roster as a long reliever. He shuffled between Triple-A and the majors multiple times last season, working in a long-relief role with the Twins. He posted a respectable 3.74 ERA, but it was accompanied by an 8.7 K/9 and 5.5 BB/9. At least he didn't allow any walks in his first outing.

Funderburk gave up a run over 1.2 innings with a strikeout, walk and home run allowed in Sunday's loss to Kansas City.

Funderburk wasn't sharp during the outing as he also had an error and a balk. He made the roster as the second lefty in the bullpen, but he'll likely be used in low-leverage spots initially like in Sunday's loss.

Armstrong (0-1) picked up the loss Sunday, allowing two runs (one earned) on three hits and one walk over one inning. He struck out one.

Armstrong served as the opener for the Rays on Sunday, allowing two runs to cross in his one inning of work. While he allowed the first three batters to reach base, leading to the first run of the game on a Justin Turner single, the second run was set up by a passed ball and is the reason Armstrong ended up as the pitcher of record.

Rodriguez allowed one hit and two walks (one intentional) while striking out two over two scoreless innings in Sunday's 9-5 loss to the Cubs.

Rodriguez breezed through the seventh inning before working out of a bases-loaded, two-out jam. The right-hander has legitimate heat with a fastball that averaged 97.5 mph and topped out at 98.5. Rodriguez, who had command issues (4.0 BB/9) in 13 games for the Rangers in 2023, showed improvement in that area during spring training. The 26-year-old could be a weapon in the bullpen if he can locate his pitches with consistency.

Barlow (0-1) took the loss Sunday versus the Athletics, allowing a run on two hits and a walk over one-plus innings while striking out one.

Barlow pitched a perfect eighth inning but allowed three straight baserunners aboard to start the ninth. Eli Morgan then walked the only batter he faced, which forced in the decisive run. It's not unusual for Barlow to be tasked with getting more than three outs at a time, so his usage Sunday isn't particularly noteworthy. The big concern here is that he's allowed two runs and walked three batters over two innings to begin the season. Barlow is projected to be a setup man to closer Emmanuel Clase, but he could lose those assignments if he can't get on track quickly. Morgan and Nick Sandlin are also experienced relievers who could be in the mix for high-leverage work.

Leclerc (0-1) took the loss Sunday, allowing four runs on one hit and three walks over two-thirds of an inning against the Cubs.

It wasn't a save situation, but it was a troubling performance that recalled Texas' bullpen struggles of 2023, when Leclerc lost the closer's job early on. Leclerc, who's had an issue with free passes during his career, walked a run in Sunday and has walked five over 1.2 innings thus far. The Rangers' closer has allowed runs in each of his first two outings. He was the victim of an incorrect call by an umpire Opening Day, but Sunday was all on him.

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.

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.

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.

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.