MLB Player News

Bednar (lat) didn't allow a baserunner and struck out one across a scoreless inning Saturday against Miami.

Bednar was unavailable to pitch on Opening Day in a save situation due to ongoing recovery from a lat injury. However, he entered Saturday's game in the ninth inning with a six-run lead. Though it wasn't a save situation, Bednar had no issues recording the final three outs of the game and should be available as Pittsburgh's closer moving forward.

Bradford (1-0) earned a victory Saturday versus the Cubs, permitting two runs on three hits and a walk over five frames. He struck out six.

Bradford left a fastball up in the second inning to Dansby Swanson, who deposited it over the left-field wall for a two-run homer. That wound up being the only damage against the left-hander, as he needed just 76 pitches to cruise through his five frames. Bradford is expected to lose his spot in the Rangers' rotation once Michael Lorenzen (neck) is deemed ready, but he should get at least one more turn.

Finnegan allowed one walk and struck out one batter in a scoreless ninth inning against the Reds on Saturday en route to his first save of the season.

Finnegan faced a late challenge to his Opening Day availability in the form of back tightness, and he just so happened to take a comebacker off his ankle in his return to Grapefruit League action March 21. Despite those setbacks, Finnegan managed to start the season on time, and he now has his first save of the new campaign. Hunter Harvey allowed two runs in the eighth inning but was credited with the win after Alexis Diaz squandered the lead for Cincinnati in the top of the ninth.

Perez's removal from Saturday's appearance against the Angels was due to lower-back discomfort, Andy Kostka of TheBaltimoreBanner.com reports.

It sounds like a day-to-day situation, but Perez will be reevaluated Sunday before more is known. The left-handed reliever was charged with two runs and didn't record an out before exiting Saturday.

Diaz (0-1) was charged with the blown save and the loss Saturday against the Nationals. He allowed three runs on two hits and two walks while striking out one batter in one-third of an inning.

Diaz had some calls go against him and the game-tying run came across on a hit-by-pitch that just grazed Keibert Ruiz's uniform. Still, it was a rather uninspiring performance as Diaz's stuff looked flat and his command was off. Diaz ran out of steam down the stretch last year, but he should still have a decent leash in the closer role early in 2024. Emilio Pagan, Lucas Sims and Brent Suter represent the top options behind Diaz should he fail to get on track.

Armstrong will be used as an opener in Sunday's game against the Blue Jays, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

It's not an unfamiliar role for Armstrong, who has been an opener on nine occasions for the Rays over the last two seasons. Tyler Alexander is poised to follow Armstrong as the bulk reliever.

Alexander will serve as a bulk reliever for the Rays in Sunday's game versus the Blue Jays, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Shawn Armstrong will open things for Tampa Bay before Alexander takes over. Alexander won the final spot in the Rays' rotation with a solid spring, but him being used as a bulk reliever rather than a traditional starter could be a regular occurrence.

Swanson (forearm) threw a bullpen session Saturday, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Blue Jays manager John Schneider said Swanson felt "really good" after his session Saturday, and the right-hander will likely throw another bullpen before progressing to facing live hitters. Swanson has been battling forearm inflammation since mid-March but seems to be trending toward a short stay on the injured list.

Perez was removed from Saturday's game against the Angels due to an apparent injury, Andy Kostka of TheBaltimoreBanner.com reports.

Perez looked to be grabbing at his right side near his hip/lower back before leaving the game with a trainer in the ninth inning. The Orioles will take a closer look at him and should offer more information in the near future.

The Yankees designated Ramirez for assignment Saturday.

Ramirez failed to win a spot on the Yankees' roster during spring training, and he'll now be squeezed off the 40-man to make room for Tanner Tully, who was selected from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Saturday. The 34-year-old Ramirez posted a 2.66 ERA and 1.23 WHIP across 40.2 innings last season and may receive some attention on the waiver wire from teams in search of bullpen depth.