MLB Player News

Stewart threw a scoreless eighth inning to earn his first hold of the season in Thursday's Opening Day win at Kansas City.

It was Griffin Jax who got the first save chance of the season and converted with a scoreless ninth inning. It looks like Jax will be the primary option to close games while Jhoan Duran is sidelined several weeks with an oblique injury. However, the Twins could mix and match the two in save situations.

Jax threw a scoreless inning with a walk and strikeout to record the save in Thursday's Opening Day win at Kansas City.

With Jhoan Duran (oblique) on the injured list and expected to miss several weeks, it was Jax who got the call in the ninth inning to protect a three-run lead. Brock Stewart was used in the eighth inning, so it looks like Jax will be the primary closer with Duran out. However, the Twins could mix and match the two in save situations.

The Rangers placed Hernandez (lat) on the 15-day injured list Thursday.

The right lat strain that Hernandez suffered late in the 2023 regular season delayed his start to spring training, as he logged just 3.1 innings in Cactus League play before camp came to an end. According to MLB.com, general manager Chris Young said that the Rangers want to see Hernandez pitch multiple innings in a rehab game and work on back-to-back days before bringing him back from the IL. He'll be eligible for activation beginning April 9.

The Blue Jays placed Swanson (forearm) on the 15-day injured list Thursday.

Though he's beginning the season on the IL, Swanson isn't expected to be facing a long-term absence while he recovers from right forearm inflammation. With Swanson joining closer Jordan Romano (elbow) on the IL, the Blue Jays are expected to turn to Yimi Garcia, Chad Green and Tim Mayza to handle most of the higher-leverage innings early in the season.

Holmes worked around three hits to deliver a scoreless ninth inning, earning the save in a 5-4 win over the Astros on Thursday.

It certainly appeared that Houston was poised to tie the game in the ninth after two of the first three batters reached safely off Holmes. However, Juan Soto threw out Mauricio Dubon at home for the second out to preserve the one-run lead, before Holmes coaxed a groundout off the bat of Alex Bregman to seal the victory. While Thursday's outing may have been more tenuous than Holmes would have liked, the 31-year-old right-hander appears to be locked into the closing job in New York. Holmes recorded 24 saves last season, pitching to a 2.86 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 71:23 K:BB across 63 innings.

Stephan underwent season-ending surgery Wednesday to repair the torn UCL in his right elbow, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports. The Guardians placed him on the 60-day injured list Thursday.

Though it's not clear if Stephan underwent Tommy John surgery or an internal bracing procedure on his elbow, he'll still be ticketed for a 12-to-16-month rehab and recovery. His move to the 60-day IL freed up a spot on the 40-man roster for right-hander Tyler Beede, whose contract was selected from Triple-A Columbus.

Lange did not appear in Thursday's 1-0 win over the White Sox, as Jason Foley recorded the final two outs to earn his first save of the season.

It's unclear whether Lange is injured or if he's fallen in the bullpen hierarchy -- to this point there has been no word of an injury. He last pitched March 24, striking out one batter in a scoreless inning against the Rays in Grapefruit League action. Lange led the team in saves by a good margin last season, recording 26 to Foley's seven, but Foley has the edge in terms of velocity. Shelby Miller and Andrew Chafin bridged the gap from starter Tarik Skubal to Foley in the ninth.

Foley struck out the only two batters he faced Thursday against the White Sox to earn his first save of the season.

Lefty Andrew Chafin, after pitching a scoreless eighth inning, recorded the first out of the ninth before handing things over to Foley. The right-hander struck out Yoan Moncada and Luis Robert to preserve an Opening Day shutout while touching triple digits with his sinker. Alex Lange was the presumptive closer for the Tigers after leading the team in saves with 26 last season, but he did not appear in Thursday's game. There has been nothing yet to indicate Lange is injured, so perhaps Foley has simply leapfrogged Lange for the closer role in the eyes of manager A.J. Hinch.

The Blue Jays placed Romano (elbow) on the 15-day injured list Thursday.

General manager Ross Atkins indicated recently that he's hopeful Romano will require only a minimum stay on the IL, which would mean an activation April 9. Romano hasn't yet resumed throwing off a mound, however, so he still has some hurdles to clear before Atkins' hopes are realized. Chad Green, Yimi Garcia and Tim Mayza are candidates for saves while Romano is out, with Erik Swanson (forearm) also potentially entering the mix if he beats Romano back from the IL.

The Astros placed Ortega (elbow) on the 15-day injured list Thursday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Ortega is facing a recovery timeline of 3-to-4 months after he underwent surgery last week to remove loose bodies from his right elbow. The 27-year-old reliever could be a candidate to shift to the 60-day IL later in the season when the Astros need to make room on the 40-man roster for another player.