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Bard allowed one hit, one walk and a hit batsman while striking out two in a scoreless ninth inning to earn a save Thursday against the Dodgers.

Bard was given a three-run lead in the ninth inning, but he allowed three of the first four batters he faced to reach base. However, he buckled down with the bases loaded, striking out Matt Beaty before inducing a weak line drive off the bat of Mookie Betts to end the game. Bard is the clear closer in Colorado and managed to convert his first save chance, but he'll need to control his pitches better to experience continued success.

Melancon didn't allow a baserunner in a scoreless ninth inning to earn the save Thursday against the Diamondbacks.

Melancon protected a one-run lead effectively, as he needed only seven pitches to induce a flyout and two groundouts to end the game. The closer role was in flux for the Padres entering the season, with Drew Pomeranz and Emilio Pagan also in the mix. However, Pagan pitched in the seventh inning and was followed by Pomeranz one frame later, offering the impression that Melancon may have the opportunity to claim save opportunities going forward.

Howard (1-0) earned the win in relief Thursday against the Cubs after striking out the side in a spotless inning.

Howard pitched the sixth inning of the season opener and was absolutely dominant -- he tossed nine of his 13 pitches for strikes. That said, the entire Pirates bullpen was lights out, allowing just one run across six frames between six hurlers. Howard is coming off the best season of his career in 2020, as he posted a 3.86 ERA with a career-best 1.24 WHIP across 21 innings (22 appearances).

Hader (1-0) earned the win in Thursday's extra-inning victory over the Twins. He tossed a perfect inning while striking out all three batters he faced.

Hader was absolutely dominant when called upon in the season opener, tossing nine of his 11 pitches for strikes in a masterful inning. He went 13-for-15 in save opportunities last season and should be one of the league's elite closers once again in 2021.

Flores was claimed off waivers by the Cardinals on Thursday.

Flores failed to break camp with the White Sox this year, but he'll find a spot on the Cardinals' 40-man roster. The southpaw posted a 4.15 ERA and 2.08 WHIP in 4.1 innings this spring and has been assigned to the Cardinals' alternate training site to begin the season.

The Padres placed Lamet on the 10-day injured list Thursday with a right UCL strain.

Lamet's injury dates back to last September, but his placement on the IL is the result of him not being fully ramped up rather than any major concern about his health on the Padres' part. After working 1.1 innings in his final spring-training outing Monday, Lamet will likely need at least a couple more weeks to get fully conditioned for starting duty. Adrian Morejon is expected to serve as San Diego's fifth starter until Lamet is ready to make his 2021 debut.

Holmes' contract was selected by the Pirates on Thursday.

Holmes returned to the Pirates on a minor-league deal in December, but he'll break camp with the major-league club after an impressive spring. The right-hander made 10 relief appearances this spring, delivering 9.2 scoreless innings with a 1.03 WHIP and 8:3 K:BB. He made just one relief appearance for the Pirates in 2020, allowing two hits and striking out one over 1.1 innings.

Hicks will be eased into game action to begin the 2021 season, Zachary Silver of MLB.com reports.

Hicks opted out of the 2020 season amid the COVID-19 pandemic, and he hasn't pitched in a regular-season game since June of 2019 due to Tommy John surgery. While the right-hander is expected to take over as the Cardinals' primary closer at some point in 2021, manager Mike Shildt said that Alex Reyes should be the favorite to work in the eighth and ninth innings early in the year while Hicks is eased into action. Hicks converted on 14 of his 15 save chances while posting a 3.14 ERA and 0.94 WHIP in 28.2 innings during the 2019 campaign.

Reyes will work in the eighth and ninth innings early in the season while Jordan Hicks is eased into action, Zachary Silver of MLB.com reports.

Reyes is expected to work as a long reliever for most of the 2021 campaign with the hope that he'll move to the starting rotation in 2022. However, Reyes will likely be the top option for save chances to begin the season since the Cardinals will be cautious with Hicks' usage early on after he missed the entire 2020 campaign. While Hicks should take over as the primary closer once he's fully built up, Reyes will handle ninth-inning duties to begin the year. Manager Mike Shildt said that Giovanny Gallegos and Andrew Miller could be utilized in high-leverage situations as well.

Miller has been placed on the COVID-19 injured list, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Miller was reassigned to minor-league camp in mid-March but is currently away from the team. It's not clear whether the right-hander has tested positive for COVID-19, but he'll need to clear the league's health and safety protocols before he's eligible to return.