MLB Player News

Phillips picked up a save Friday versus the Cardinals, striking out one in a clean inning.

Phillips set down St. Louis in order in the ninth inning, closing out a three-run Los Angeles victory for his second save this year. The 29-year-old right-hander figures to be a steady source of saves this year, holding down the closing job on an elite Dodgers team. Phillips converted 24 of 27 save chances last season, pitching to a 2.05 ERA with a 0.83 WHIP and 66:13 K:BB across 61.1 innings.

Thompson dropped to 0-1 in Friday's 6-3 loss to the Dodgers after striking out four while allowing five earned runs on six hits and two walks over 5.1 innings.

All five of the runs charged to Thompson came via home runs, as the left-hander gave up solo homers in the first and second innings before Teoscar Hernandez added a three-run shot in the fourth. Thompson went 5-7 last season with a 4.48 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 72:25 K:BB across 66.1 innings. The southpaw figures to head back to the bullpen, or Triple-A Memphis, when Sonny Gray (hamstring) returns from the IL.

Kinley allowed one hit and walked two while striking out one in a scoreless inning Friday against the Diamondbacks.

Kinley is a candidate to serve as Colorado's closer, though he entered Friday's game with the Rockies down 7-3 in the eighth inning. He was also shaky in his first outing of the campaign, allowing a leadoff double before walking two. He escaped the jam, but it appears that Justin Lawrence may be in line to get the first chance for saves.

The Pirates sent Holderman (illness) to Triple-A Indianapolis on Friday to begin a rehab assignment.

A lengthy battle with a virus kept Holderman out of action for a significant amount of time during spring training, so he will head to Indianapolis in order to properly prepare for his regular-season debut. The 28-year-old righty will be eligible to return from the IL on April 9.

Alvarado (0-1) took the loss Friday as the Phillies were downed 9-3 by Atlanta, coughing up five runs on three hits and two walks over two-thirds of an inning. He struck out one.

Entering a 2-2 tie in the top of the eighth inning, Alvarado struggled with his control and tossed only 15 of 30 pitches for strikes. The left-hander left the mound with the bases loaded having allowed two runs, and Connor Brogdon let all three inherited runners cross the plate. Alvarado is still the top option for saves in what is likely to be a fluid Phillies bullpen, but a bad start to the season could let Jeff Hoffman pass him in the ninth-inning pecking order, and Orion Kerkering (forearm) could also be a factor once he's healthy.

Middleton (forearm) will start a throwing program Wednesday, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

Next week will mark the first time Middleton has thrown since March 16 after he sustained a right forearm strain during spring training. He was placed on the 15-day IL on Tuesday, and Middleton's progress in the throwing program will give the Cardinals a better idea as to when the right-hander will be able to return to the majors.

The Giants placed Jackson on the 15-day injured list Friday with a lower-back strain, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

Jackson had to leave Thursday's game against San Diego after straining his back, and the injury is apparently severe enough to sideline him for a couple of weeks. Kai-Wei Teng was recalled from Triple-A Sacramento to fill Jackson's spot in the bullpen.

Uribe retired all three batters he faced in the ninth inning to earn the save in Friday's 3-1 win over the Mets. He did not record a strikeout.

The 23-year-old threw eight of his 11 pitches for strikes as he received Milwaukee's first save chance in the absence of Devin Williams (back). Trevor Megill and Joel Payamps worked the seventh and eighth innings, respectively. Uribe appears to have the leg up for closing duties to begin the season, but Megill and Payamps could still be a factor if manager Pat Murphy elects to utilize a committee approach.

Simpson (elbow) will throw a bullpen session Saturday, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Simpson has dealt with a left elbow issue since late February and began the season on the injured list. He looks to be making nice progress, though, and could be ready for a rehab assignment soon.

Vieira is included on the Brewers' 26-man active roster for Friday's season opener versus the Mets.

Vieira finished the 2023 season on the injured list due to a right calf strain, but he was fully healthy for spring training and posted a 3.52 ERA and 13:5 K:BB in 7.2 innings during Cactus League play to secure his spot on the Opening Day roster. Though closer Devin Williams (back) is expected to be sidelined for the first two-plus months of the season, Vieira is unlikely to factor into the mix for saves given his limited body of work in the majors and the control issues that he's exhibited at every stop of his professional career. That being said, Vieira brings premium velocity to the table and should be a strong source of strikeouts on a per-inning basis even if he's relegated to a middle-relief role for Milwaukee.