MLB Player News

Helsley (0-1) blew the save and took the loss in Thursday's 10-9 loss against the Blue Jays. He allowed two runs on two hits and one walk without a strikeout in his one inning.

Tasked with nailing down a 9-8 win, Helsley proceeded to walk the first batter he faced before surrendering back-to-back singles to blow the save. Vladimir Guerrero later gave the Blue Jays the lead with a sacrifice fly, sticking Helsley with the loss. Jordan Hicks had already blown a lead himself the prior inning while Giovanny Gallegos (back) did not appear in the game.

Bednar picked up the save Thursday against Cincinnati. He allowed one hit while striking out two over one scoreless inning.

With the Pirates clinging to a one-run lead, Bednar got the call to nail things down. He worked around a Jonathan India double, throwing 14 of his 18 pitches for strikes to earn his first save of the season and the 23rd of his young career. Bednar's skills are excellent and his job security is high, though the threat of a trade later in the season looms.

Fulmer pitched a scoreless inning with one hit allowed and two strikeouts in Thursday's 4-0 win over the Brewers.

Fulmer got the ninth inning while Brad Boxberger worked the eighth, but it was a non-save situation. Still, it's a promising sign for Fulmer that he was the last reliever used on Opening Day. He figures to split closer duties with Boxberger based on spring training reports, though Fulmer may be slightly ahead at this point.

Gallegos was unavailable for Thursday's game against Toronto due to a back injury, Lynn Worthy of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Manager Oliver Marmol termed the injury as a "tweak," and it appears that Gallegos will be able to avoid a stint on the injured list. The Cardinals have a day off Friday, so it's possible he doesn't miss any additional time.

The Rockies recalled Bird from Triple-A Albuquerque on Thursday, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

He'll fill the Opening Day bullpen spot left vacant by Daniel Bard, who was placed on the 15-day IL in a corresponding move as he battles anxiety. Bird, 27, struggled to a 4.91 ERA and 1.43 WHIP over 47.2 innings out of the Colorado bullpen in 2022.

Bard said Thursday that he's starting the year on the 15-day IL due to anxiety, Danielle Allentuck of the Denver Gazette reports.

Bard has a history of the yips -- it's partly why he didn't appear in a game at the MLB level between 2014-2019 -- and he said he's decided to be open and honest about his mental struggles. The 37-year-old right-hander had been set to operate as the Rockies' locked-in closer in 2023 after totaling 34 saves for the club last season. Dinelson Lamet, Pierce Johnson, and Brad Hand could all factor into the ninth-inning mix during Bard's absence.

Bard said Thursday that he's starting the year on the 15-day IL because of anxiety, Danielle Allentuck of the Denver Gazette reports.

Bard has a history of the yips -- it's partly why he didn't appear in a game at the MLB level between 2014-2019 -- and he said he's decided to be open and honest about his mental struggles. The 37-year-old right-hander had been set to operate as the Rockies' locked-in closer in 2023 after totaling 34 saves for the club last season. Dinelson Lamet, Pierce Johnson, and Brad Hand could all factor into the ninth-inning mix during Bard's absence.

Bard (undisclosed) was placed on the 15-day injured list Thursday, retroactive to March 27.

There's no word yet on the exact nature of the injury, but Bard struggled badly with his command in both the Cactus League and World Baseball Classic this spring. Maybe it's time for Dinelson Lamet to get a shot in the closer role for the Rockies. Pierce Johnson and Brad Hand are among the other options.

Varland threw a scoreless inning out of the bullpen Thursday against the Cubs, striking out a batter and allowing two hits and a walk.

Varland struck out Miles Mastrobuoni, the first batter he saw in his MLB career, before getting himself into and out of a bases-loaded situation in the seventh. The 26-year-old reliever has experience starting in the minors and will likely be used in a multi-inning role out of the bullpen this season.

Finnegan yielded three runs -- two earned -- in one inning of work Thursday against Atlanta.

Finnegan entered in the top of the ninth with the Nationals trailing 4-2, and he let the final score get to 7-2 after issuing a pair of walks and surrendering a double to Travis d'Arnaud. The 31-year-old right-hander stands out as the best bet for saves in the Washington bullpen, but he figures to offer more frustration than fantasy production on one of the worst teams in the majors.