MLB Player News

Chafin picked up the save in Monday's 3-0 win over the Brewers by striking out the side during a perfect ninth inning.

Chafin came on in the ninth inning with a three-run lead and proceeded to strike out Joey Wiemer, Christian Yelich and Willy Adames en route to his second save of the season. The left-hander has yet to allow a run across five appearances (4.1 innings) while striking out seven versus just two walks. Scott McGough, who blew a save last week, has operated in hold situations in each of his past two appearances, so it appears Chafin has the early edge in Arizona's closing competition.

Mantiply (shoulder) is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment Tuesday at Double-A Amarillo, Nick Piecoro and Theo Mackie of the Arizona Republic report.

Mantiply, who opened the season on the 15-day injured list with what the team described as "shoulder fatigue," started the return process by throwing to live batters Friday. "The bullpens, the live BPs that he's thrown, everything's ticked up and he's feeling very, very good," manager Torey Lovullo said. The left-hander was projected for a back-end bullpen role before the shoulder issue struck. Since then, Andrew Chafin (two saves) has emerged as the primary lefty to close games. Mantiply is eligible to activated Tuesday, so a return appears imminent.

Law (0-2) was charged with a loss and a blown save against Atlanta on Monday. He did not record an out.

The 32-year-old had the chance to save a 4-3 game in the 10th inning but promptly gave up a two-run shot to Sean Murphy on his first pitch. Law had a save and a hold through three scoreless appearances but has now been tagged with four runs and a pair of losses in his last two games. Alexis Diaz pitched a scoreless ninth inning Monday.

Minter allowed two runs on three hits in one inning during Monday's extra-inning win over the Reds. He was charged with a blown save.

Minter was tasked with protecting a 3-1 lead in the ninth inning, but he quickly gave it up before recording an out. He escaped before the Reds could take the lead and Atlanta ended up winning in the 10th inning on Sean Murphy's walkoff shot. Minter had tossed five shutout innings with one save prior to Monday's poor outing.

Fulmer allowed a run on two hits across an inning of work to blow the save Monday against the Mariners. He struck out one.

Tasked with protecting a 2-1 lead in the ninth inning, Fulmer allowed a solo home run to Jarred Kelenic to blow his first save of the year, but the Cubs would rally for the 3-2 win in 10 innings. The run was the first one allowed this season by Fulmer, who now has a 2.08 ERA and eight strikeouts across 4.1 innings. He should continue to see regular save chances, though Brad Boxberger remains in the mix as well.

Strahm (1-0) allowed four hits and a walk over five shutout innings Monday, striking out six and earning a win over Miami.

Strahm received plenty of run support and worked through five innings while dealing with only a few threats. He's fired 10 scoreless frames with a 10:2 K:BB to begin his 2023 campaign. The 31-year-old southpaw forced nine whiffs, including four with the sinker. Strahm is lined up to start in Cincinnati this weekend.

Thompson (1-0) pitched a scoreless inning of relief and earned the win Monday against the Mariners. He walked two and struck out one.

Thompson battled his control a bit but was still able tot earn his first win of 2023 out of the bullpen, as Chicago squeaked out a 3-2 victory in 10 innings. The righty has been sharp, allowing just one earned run this year so far across 6.1 innings to go along with six strikeouts. Thompson made 17 starts for the Cubs in 2022, but it looks like he'll have to settle for being a relief weapon in 2023.

Hudson (knee) has been throwing bullpen sessions but isn't close to a return, Sonja Chen of MLB.com reports.

Hudson is still making his way back from left knee surgery, and the team has zero intention of rushing him back before he's ready. The veteran right-hander remains without a firm timetable for a return.

Nelson (elbow) threw Monday at Camelback Ranch and is closing in on a rehab assignment, Sonja Chen of MLB.com reports.

Nelson has been on the 15-day injured list since March 30 as he continues to recover from Tommy John surgery, and the news out of Dodgers' camp has been promising for the right-hander. The club will likely re-evaluate Nelson on Tuesday following his latest throwing session to determine whether he's ready for live action.

Jameson will start Wednesday against the Brewers, Jody Jackson of Bally Sports Arizona reports.

Jameson is moving into the rotation to replace Zach Davies after Davies was placed on the 15-day injured list with his oblique strain. The right-hander has registered a 2.16 ERA and whiffed eight hitters in his 8.1 innings of work. There are some talented arms in the Arizona system who could replace Jameson if he struggles early -- namely top prospect Brandon Pfaadt -- but it seems likely that he'll be given a few turns in the rotation to begin the year.