MLB Player News

Mayza (0-1) took the loss Wednesday against the Mariners, giving up four runs (three earned) on one hit and two walks in one-third of an inning.

The southpaw entered a 1-1 tie in the top of the 10th inning and promptly served up a two-run homer to Cal Raleigh, plating the designated runner, before walking two more batters and watching them come around to score after he left the mound. Mayza's control has deserted him to begin the season -- he threw only seven of 17 pitches for strikes Wednesday, and through 4.1 innings he has a 4:6 K:BB to go along with a 12.46 ERA. The 32-year-old is being counted on as Toronto's top lefty in the bullpen, but he could lose high-leverage opportunities to Genesis Cabrera if he doesn't turn things around.

Munoz (1-1) picked up the win in an extra-inning victory over the Blue Jays on Wednesday, firing 1.1 scoreless innings during which he allowed a hit, hit a batter and issued a walk.

Munoz got the late-eighth-inning call after Logan Gilbert, who'd been masterful for most of seven-plus innings, worked into trouble by allowing a single and a walk with two outs. Munoz impressively escaped the jam he inherited by striking out Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and then emerged from a 24-pitch ninth frame unscathed despite some trouble. Having preserved the 1-1 tie, Munoz became the pitcher of record courtesy of the Mariners' five-run rally in the 10th, giving him his first win in what was his second inning-plus appearance of the new season. Munoz has allowed a pair of earned runs through five appearances and displayed occasional control issues, making it possible Ryne Stanek, who has plenty of high-leverage experience and sealed Wednesday's victory by setting the Blue Jays down in the 10th inning, could steal occasional save opportunities.

Soriano (0-2) took the loss Wednesday, giving up four runs on six hits over four innings as the Angels fell 4-2 to the Rays. He struck out six without walking a batter.

Tampa Bay jumped on Soriano early, scoring three runs in the first inning and tacking on one more in the second, but the right-hander settled down before exiting his first start of the season after 72 pitches (49 strikes). He generated an encouraging 24 called or swinging strikes though, and the 25-year-old should have shown enough to get a longer look in the rotation. His next outing is likely to be a rematch with the Rays early next week in Tampa.

Fairbanks gave up a hit and struck out three in a scoreless ninth inning Wednesday to record his second save of the season in a 4-2 win over the Angels.

The right-hander has struggled to begin the season with both velocity and results, but he topped out at 97 mph with his fastball Wednesday and looked a little more like the dominant high-leverage option the Rays are used to. Fairbanks still has a bloated 11.25 ERA through 4.0 innings and five appearances with an 8:5 K:BB, but he's 2-for-2 in converting save chances.

Baumann (1-0) earned the win Wednesday over the Red Sox, allowing a hit and striking out three without walking a batter in a scoreless inning.

Baumann benefited from the Orioles' rally in the seventh inning after he pitched the sixth. This was just his second scoreless outing of the campaign, as he's had some struggles with control so far. Baumann has allowed three runs (two earned) on five hits with a 6:4 K:BB over four innings through five appearances, and he has one blown save on his ledger. The right-hander is likely to remain in a low-leverage role.

Topa (left patellar tendinitis) plans to throw a bullpen session Saturday, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

Topa was placed on the 15-day injured list at the end of spring training with left patellar tendinitis. He started playing catch last Saturday and it sounds like he could return at some point in April.

Kimbrel struck out two batters over a perfect inning to log the save Wednesday against the Red Sox.

After blowing the save in his first appearance of 2024, Kimbrel has logged three straight perfect innings to bring his season ERA down to 2.25. After finishing between 20 and 25 saves the past three seasons, Kimbrel will look to surpass the 30-save mark for the first time since 2018.

Martin (1-1) was charged with Wednesday's loss to Baltimore. He allowed four runs (three earned) on two hits and one walk while striking out two over one inning.

Martin was one of two relievers that combined to cough up a 5-0 lead during the sixth and seventh innings. He also threw two wild pitches and gave up a three-run home run. Martin, who was Boston's best bullpen arm in 2023, has been tagged with blown saves in each of his last two outings.

Okert earned the save in Wednesday's 3-2 win over the Dodgers, allowing one hit while recording a strikeout in a scoreless inning.

It's the first save in seven big-league seasons for Okert. The Twins appear to be utilizing a committee approach in the late innings with Jhoan Duran (oblique) on the injured list. Griffin Jax, Minnesota's primary high-leverage option, worked the eighth inning Wednesday against the middle of the Dodgers' lineup. The left-hander Okert has allowed one run on five hits and a pair of walks while logging seven strikeouts through his first four innings this season.

Santos (lat) has started a throwing program and is getting closer to beginning mound work, MLB.com reports. "I don't want to get into much more detail on timelines like that, but it has been very positive," manager Scott Servais said.

Servais added that Santos is a "little bit" behind fellow sidelined reliever Matt Brash (elbow) in terms of his progress, but the Mariners' skipper seems encouraged overall by Santos' trajectory. Santos never did see Cactus League action this spring, so he'll be in line for what could be a full-length rehab assignment whenever he reaches that point in his recovery.