MLB Player News

Coulombe allowed one hit and one walk in a scoreless inning Saturday against St. Louis.

Coulombe missed much of the 2024 campaign following surgery to remove bone chips from his pitching elbow, but has looked healthy this spring. He'll be a key lefty setup man for the Twins this season.

Alcala (0-1) took the loss in Saturday's 5-1 defeat to the Cardinals. He allowed three runs on two hits and a walk while failing to record an out in the sixth inning.

Alcala was hit in the shoulder area by a line drive on the first batter he faced. While he stayed in the game and there wasn't a report of an injury, he may have been rattled as he then had trouble throwing strikes. The right-hander has premium velocity and reached a career-high 101.2 mph last summer, and he could work his way into a high-leverage role if he can string together better results.

The Blue Jays designated Lovelady for assignment Sunday.

Lovelady attended spring training as a non-roster invitee and was able to win a spot in Toronto's Opening Day bullpen, but his stay with the big club didn't last long. He'll cede his spot on the 40-man roster and in the bullpen to lefty Mason Fluharty, whose contract was selected from Triple-A Buffalo in a corresponding move. Lovelady's dismissal comes after he gave up four earned runs on two hits, two walks and three hit batsmen over 1.2 innings between his first two relief appearances of the season.

The Blue Jays selected Fluharty's contract from Triple-A Buffalo on Sunday.

The 23-year-old southpaw will work out of the Toronto bullpen and will likely be limited to low-leverage duties, at least initially. Fluharty spent the entire 2024 season at Buffalo, turning in a 3.63 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 76:25 K:BB in 67 innings.

The Blue Jays recalled Lucas from Triple-A Buffalo on Sunday.

Lucas had been scheduled to start for Buffalo on Sunday, but he'll instead join the Blue Jays to provide some length out of the bullpen. Max Scherzer (thumb) was placd on the 15-day injured list in a corresponding move, but the Blue Jays are likely to turn to Yariel Rodriguez rather than Lucas to fill the opening in the rotation.

Hodge worked around two hits to pitch a scoreless inning of relief and earn a hold in Saturday's 4-3 win over the Diamondbacks. He struck out two.

After starter Shota Imanaga cruised through seven innings, Hodge came on in the eighth to protect a 4-1 lead. The righty promptly allowed consecutive singles to start the frame, but he wiggled out of trouble by recording two strikeouts sandwiched around a pop out, securing his second hold of the year in the process. Ryan Pressly worked the ninth for his first save of the season, though he also struggled and allowed two runs. Pressly is Chicago's closer for now, but Hodge could force a change at some point if he outperforms the veteran for an extended period of time.

Morejon earned the save in Saturday's 1-0 win over Atlanta, issuing one walk while striking out one batter in a scoreless ninth inning.

The 26-year-old southpaw came in to finish out Saturday's game, as usual closer Robert Suarez had been deployed in each of the first two games of the series. Morejon was able to pitch around a leadoff walk and finished things off by punching out Drake Baldwin. Morejon logged two saves last season, but he could see more opportunities in 2025 on days when Suarez is resting.

Rodriguez will start Monday's game against the Royals as an opening pitcher, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

The right-hander didn't pitch in Milwaukee's first two games of the season versus the Yankees, but he'll take the mound as an opener Monday with Brandon Woodruff (shoulder) and Tobias Myers (oblique) on the injured list and Jose Quintana still ramping up. Rodriguez had a 15:2 K:BB across 10.2 innings during spring training but surrendered nine earned runs and three homers. He built up to 3.2 innings in Cactus League play, so he could be capable of offering more length than the typical opener.

Martinez pitched a scoreless ninth inning in Saturday's 4-3 loss to the Cubs.

Martinez made his season debut, entering the top of the ninth inning with Arizona down 4-1. None of the four balls in play he allowed left the infield, and only a fielding error by Martinez extended what could have been a 1-2-3 frame. The right-hander inked a five-year extension late in spring training and is expected to pitch in high-leverage situations, potentially splitting closing duties with A.J. Puk.

Estevez (save) threw one inning Saturday against the Guardians, earning the save and striking out one batter.

Nursing a one-run lead, Estevez walked Kyle Manzardo on five pitches to open the bottom of the ninth inning, but he settled down to retire the next three batters he faced, preserving the 4-3 Kansas City win. Estevez should see the bulk of the save chances for the Royals, though setup man Lucas Erceg is also a quality candidate for saves.