MLB Player News

Montas (1-0) tossed six scoreless innings and allowed four hits and no walks while striking out four to earn the win Thursday win against the Nationals.

While the Nats offense isn't expected to light MLB on fire this season, Montas going six scoreless in Great American Ballpark is a noteworthy accomplishment -- especially after logging a 5.94 ERA this spring. Although Montas doesn't have the stuff he had in prior years, he should be in a solid position to succeed if he can keep walks allowed to a minimum. He'll likely have a tougher time in his next start, which is tentatively scheduled to come against the Phillies.

Hernandez tossed a scoreless 12th inning to earn his first save in Thursday's Opening Day win over Miami.

The lefty reliever had been called up from Triple-A earlier in the day and with closer David Bednar unavailable due to a lingering lat issue, Hernandez took advantage of his opportunity by throwing nine of 11 pitches for strikes in a blemish-free 12th to pick up his first career save. The Pirates are currently missing a couple of bullpen arms to start the season, putting Hernandez in position to help the bullpen prior to a likely return trip to Triple-A once the Bucco bullpen returns to full capacity.

Leiter tossed 1.2 scoreless innings of relief in Thursday's 4-3, 10-inning loss to the Rangers. He struck out three.

With Justin Steele (hamstring) getting pulled after only 4.2 innings, the Cubs needed some length from their bullpen, and Leiter stepped up. The righty was solid in 2023, and while he should help the team this year, he has limited fantasy upside working in front of Hector Neris and closer Adbert Alzolay.

The Mets placed Kranick (hamstring) on the 15-day injured list Thursday.

Kranick is recovering from a Grade 2 left hamstring strain, which he sustained in his only Grapefruit League start back on Feb. 26. It's unclear where Kranick stands in his recovery at this point, but the injury cost him any chance he had of making a case for a back-end spot in the New York rotation. Kranick has a minor-league option remaining, so if the Mets want to have him stay stretched out as a starter, he could be sent to Triple-A Syracuse once he's reinstated from the IL.

Alzolay allowed a run on a hit and a walk to blow the save in Thursday's 4-3, 10-inning loss to the Rangers.

Alzolay entered the game in the bottom of the ninth inning staked to a 3-2 lead but promptly allowed a tying home run to pinch-hitter Travis Jankowski. He walked another hitter before escaping the frame. Alzolay only blew three saves in 25 opportunities last season and posted a strong 2.67 ERA, so he should have some leeway in the early going. However, veteran Hector Neris is now on the roster, and he could push Alzolay for closing duties at some point this year if the struggles persist.

The Brewers placed Clarke (knee) on the 15-day injured list Thursday with a right meniscus tear.

According to MLB.com, Clarke is expected to miss at least 6-to-8 weeks due to the injury, which he suffered during a workout in the final week of spring training. Surgery apparently isn't off the table for Clarke, which would extend his recovery timeline and potentially put him at risk of missing the season. For the time being, Clarke looks like he'll try to treat the injury with rest and rehab, so he'll pause his baseball activities for the next two weeks before likely beginning a throwing program. Before suffering the injury, Clarke had been expected to fill a middle-relief role after posting a 5.95 ERA and 1.61 WHIP over 59 innings with the Royals in 2023.

The Brewers placed Williams (back) on the 15-day injured list Thursday.

Williams isn't expected to resume throwing for another month and likely won't be ready for game action until around midseason while he recovers from two stress fractures in his back, so he could be a candidate to move to the 60-day IL the next time the Brewers need to open up room on the 40-man roster. The Brewers have yet to anoint a new closer in place of Williams, but Trevor Megill, Abner Uribe and Joel Payamps look to be the early frontrunners to contend for save chances.

The Pirates placed Holderman (illness) on the 15-day injured list Thursday.

Holderman was set back in spring training by a bout with a virus, but he's expected to throw a live batting practice session this week and should soon head to Triple-A Indianapolis to begin a rehab assignment. The right-hander proved to be one of Pittsburgh's more reliable relievers in his first full season in the organization in 2023, compiling a 3.86 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 58:20 K:BB in 56 innings.

The Pirates placed Mlodzinski on the 15-day injured list Thursday with right elbow inflammation.

Mlodzinski won't open the season on the Pirates' 26-man active roster, but he could be ready to return from the IL when first eligible April 9. The right-hander has already resumed throwing off a mound and is expected to throw a live batting practice session later this week, according to MLB.com.

Bednar was unavailable to pitch Thursday against the Marlins due to ongoing rehab from a lat injury, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Bednar was sidelined for much of spring training with a lat issue, though he managed to make his Grapefruit League debut March 21 while making an additional appearance on March 24. He hasn't been placed on the injured list, so Pittsburgh presumably expects him to be game ready soon.