MLB Player News
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Brusdar Graterol RP | LAD
Dodgers' Brusdar Graterol: Pitches in ninth inning Sunday
Graterol (0-1) took the loss in Sunday's 2-1 loss to Arizona. He allowed one run on four hits over one inning.
Graterol entered Sunday's matchup in the ninth inning during a tie game, and although he gave up a run to take the loss, it was encouraging to see him take the mound in the ninth while Evan Phillips was used in the eighth frame. The Dodgers haven't named a set closer to begin the year, but Graterol's work in the ninth inning suggests that he could be first in line for save opportunities. The right-hander made 46 appearances for the Dodgers last year, converting four of his five save chances while picking up 10 holds with a 3.26 ERA and 0.99 WHIP in 49.2 innings.
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Kyle Finnegan RP | DET
Nationals' Kyle Finnegan: Notches first save
Finnegan worked a clean ninth inning to earn a save against Atlanta on Sunday.
Finnegan was given the save opportunity after coughing up two runs in a non-save situation during his first appearance of the season. He needed just eight pitches to quickly finish off the 4-1 victory. The 31-year-old picked up 11 saves in 15 chances last season and looks to be the team's main ninth-inning arm once again.
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Devin Williams RP | NYM
Brewers' Devin Williams: Warms up Sunday
Williams (biceps) warmed up in the bullpen and was available if needed during Sunday's game against the Cubs, Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.
A liner deflected off Williams' right biceps during Saturday's win over the Cubs, but he was able to remain in the game to pick up the save. His availability was in question ahead of Sunday's series finale, but manager Craig Counsell said after the game that the right-hander would have been available in a save situation. While the Brewers' medical staff will likely continue to monitor Williams if he's feeling sore, it wouldn't be surprising to see him available for Milwaukee's home opener against the Mets on Monday.
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Alexis Diaz RP | TEX
Reds' Alexis Diaz: Secures first save
Diaz picked up the save with a scoreless ninth inning during Sunday's 3-1 victory over the Pirates. He didn't allow a baserunner and recorded one strikeout.
Diaz delivered a scoreless frame Saturday in a non-save situation and followed up with his first save of the season in Sunday's series finale. The 26-year-old is Cincinnati's best reliever by a wide margin and should see the bulk of the save chances this year, though he's also likely to be used in some high-leverage spots before the ninth inning.
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Sean Manaea RP | NYM
Giants' Sean Manaea: Could piggyback DeSclafani
Manaea could be used as a piggyback pitcher behind starter Anthony DeSclafani in Monday's game against the White Sox in Chicago, Danny Emerman of KNBR 680 San Francisco reports.
Manager Gabe Kapler hasn't specifically said that the Giants will maintain a six-man rotation, so Manaea looks as though he could be deployed in tandem with DeSclafani as the team aims to coax quality innings from both pitchers. Manaea had previously been available out of the bullpen for the team's season-opening series versus the Yankees, but he went unused in all three games and should thus be capable of covering multiple innings behind DeSclafani, if needed. After a rough season in San Diego in 2022, Manaea showed some improvement in spring training, as he pitched to a 4.08 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 14:3 K:BB in 17.2 innings while holding opposing hitters to a .215 average in Cactus League play.
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Edwin Uceta RP | TB
Pirates' Edwin Uceta: Claimed by Pittsburgh
Uceta was claimed off waivers by the Pirates and was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis on Sunday.
The 25-year-old was designated for assignment by the Tigers on Thursday and will now join a new organization. Uceta appeared in 10 games for Arizona last season and had a 5.82 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 13:7 K:BB across 17 innings.
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Riley Pint RP | COL
Rockies' Riley Pint: Shakes off oblique injury
Pint (oblique) worked an inning of relief Saturday in Triple-A Albuquerque's 6-1 loss to Round Rock, giving up two earned runs on two hits and a walk while striking out two.
Though an oblique strain sidelined Pint for a good chunk of Rockies camp, he avoided a season-opening stint on the big-league injured list or the minor-league IL. After being added to the 40-man roster over the winter, Pint appears to be on the cusp of making his MLB debut, but he'll first have to perform well at the Triple-A level before getting a call to the Colorado bullpen.
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Devin Williams RP | NYM
Brewers' Devin Williams: Availability to be determined
Brewers manager Craig Counsell told reporters Sunday that Williams is sore after being hit in the biceps during Saturday's game against the Cubs and will need to throw before Sunday's game to determine his availability, Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.
Williams was able to pick up a save Saturday against Chicago, but he is understandably sore after a single deflected off his biceps in that contest. The Brewers certainly won't take any risks with the right-hander, so it won't be a surprise if he doesn't get his name called if a save opportunity arises.
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Sean Hjelle RP | SF
Giants' Sean Hjelle: Recalled from Triple-A
The Giants recalled Hjelle from Triple-A Sacramento on Sunday, Evan Webeck of The San Jose Mercury News reports.
Hjelle was added to the roster after Joey Bart was placed on the 10-day injured list with a back strain. The 6-foot-11 right-hander will be a multi-inning option out of the bullpen while he's with the club.
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Tony Santillan RP | CIN
Reds' Tony Santillan: Begins rehab assignment Tuesday
Santillan (back) will report to Triple-A Louisville on Tuesday to begin a rehab assignment, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.
Santillan was placed on the 15-day injured list with his back injury on Opening Day and didn't get a chance to pitch in the Cactus League. The right-hander is expected to work in a relief role once back with the Reds, and barring a setback that should take place sometime in the middle of April.