MLB Player News

Manager Don Mattingly said Thursday that Bender is Miami's "go-to-guy" in the ninth inning to start the season, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Dylan Floro is officially on the injured list due to shoulder tendinitis, which has opened the door for Bender to take over the closer's role. However, there is plenty of competition in the Miami bullpen, highlighted by Anthony Bass and Richard Bleier as well as the recently added Cole Sulser. With multiple options to turn to in the ninth inning, Bender will have to perform well if he hopes to maintain save chances while Floro is sidelined.

Manager Bob Melvin confirmed that Rogers will serve as the Padres' closer to start the season, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

It was the expectation that Rogers would serve as the closer in San Diego after the team acquired him Thursday from the Twins, and Melvin did not hesitate in making it official. Rogers should get plenty of opportunity early on, as the team has made several big moves in the latter portions of the offseason, highlighted by the acquisition of Sean Manaea and Luke Voit. Rogers has been at least a part-time closer since the 2019 season, picking up a combined 48 saves with a 3.06 ERA across 121 appearances.

Underwood was removed from Thursday's game against the Cardinals due to right hamstring discomfort, Justice delos Santos of MLB.com reports.

Underwood entered Thursday's Opening Day matchup in the bottom of the sixth inning, but he was removed after allowing a run while failing to record an out with 10 pitches. It's not yet clear whether the right-hander's injury will force him to miss additional time, but he'll be able to rest during Friday's scheduled off day.

The Marlins placed Floro (shoulder) on the 10-day injured list Thursday with right rotator cuff tendinitis, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Floro's shoulder issue kept him behind the Marlins' other relievers in spring training and ultimately prevented him from making the Opening Day roster, but manager Don Mattingly said Monday that he doesn't expect the righty to be sidelined for long, according to Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald. Floro has thrown multiple bullpen sessions in the past week, so he could soon be ready to face hitters. After that, he likely may only need a couple of minor-league rehab appearances or simulated game appearances before the Marlins feel comfortable bringing him back from the IL. Before the injury cropped up, Floro was a candidate to close for the Marlins, who are likely to take a committee approach to save situations early on during the season.

Phillips is one of 16 pitchers on the Dodgers' Opening Day roster.

Phillips pitched only 13.1 big-league innings during the 2021 regular season, but he was impressive in two NLCS appearances against Atlanta, tossing three scoreless frames during which he struck out six batters. The right-hander struggled in Cactus League play this year, allowing four runs on eight hits and two walks over 3.1 innings, but the Dodgers elected to give him a spot in their Opening Day bullpen. He'll likely fill a low-leverage role to begin the campaign.

Vesia was one of 16 pitchers named to the Dodgers' Opening Day roster Thursday.

Vesia's inclusion on the roster was expected following a breakthrough campaign last season, during which he posted a 2.25 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 12.1 K/9. He eventually became the team's go-to left-handed reliever and finished with nine holds and one save. Vesia will likely work in a high-leverage role again as Los Angeles' top southpaw out of the bullpen in 2022.

The Dodgers placed Kahnle (elbow) on the 10-day injured list Thursday, Eric Stephen of SBNation.com reports.

Kahnle was moved to the IL along with fellow relievers Victor Gonzalez (elbow) and Caleb Ferguson (elbow) as the Dodgers narrowed their Opening Day roster down to the mandatory 28 players ahead of Friday's game in Colorado. Like Ferguson, Kahnle is recovering from late-2020 Tommy John surgery, with both pitchers seemingly in the final phase of their rehab programs after making appearances in Cactus League play. Ferguson made three relief appearances, while Kahnle made his spring debut Tuesday, when he struck out two over a scoreless frame. Kahnle should soon report to a minor-league affiliate for a rehab assignment, and if all goes well, he could join the big-league bullpen by the end of April.

The Dodgers placed Ferguson (elbow) on the 10-day injured list Thursday, Eric Stephen of SBNation.com reports.

Along with Victor Gonzalez (elbow), Tommy Kahnle (elbow) and Jimmy Nelson (elbow), Ferguson will be one of four Dodgers relievers to open the season the IL. Ferguson made three appearances during Cactus League play, so he's seemingly near the finish line in his recovery from September 2020 Tommy John surgery. He should be ready to report to an affiliate soon for a rehab assignment, with his return date from the IL likely to depend on when the Dodgers feel confident he's regained his command.

The Dodgers placed Gonzalez on the 10-day injured list Thursday with left elbow inflammation, Eric Stephen of SBNation.com reports.

Gonzalez presumably picked up the injury coming out of his final Cactus League appearance March 31. Given that Gonzalez's elbow issue is being characterized as inflammation, he may just require a few days off to allow the swelling subside before he's able to ramp up again. A lengthy stint on the injured list wouldn't appear to be in the cards for Gonzalez, who turned in a 3.57 ERA over 35.1 innings with the Dodgers across 44 appearances last season.

The Dodgers optioned Bickford to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Thursday, Eric Stephen of SBNation.com reports.

Bickford missed a good chunk of Cactus League play due to a bout with arm soreness, but he was able to toss a pair of scoreless innings Saturday and Tuesday to erase any concerns about his health. Even so, the missed time looks as though it was enough to cost Bickford a spot in the Dodgers' Opening Day bullpen. Bickford found success as a right-handed specialist for the Dodgers late in the 2021 season, so he'll likely rank near the top of the list for a call-up when Los Angeles requires another reliever.