MLB Player News

The Rangers placed Hernandez (lat) on the 15-day injured list Thursday.

The right lat strain that Hernandez suffered late in the 2023 regular season delayed his start to spring training, as he logged just 3.1 innings in Cactus League play before camp came to an end. According to MLB.com, general manager Chris Young said that the Rangers want to see Hernandez pitch multiple innings in a rehab game and work on back-to-back days before bringing him back from the IL. He'll be eligible for activation beginning April 9.

The Blue Jays placed Swanson (forearm) on the 15-day injured list Thursday.

Though he's beginning the season on the IL, Swanson isn't expected to be facing a long-term absence while he recovers from right forearm inflammation. With Swanson joining closer Jordan Romano (elbow) on the IL, the Blue Jays are expected to turn to Yimi Garcia, Chad Green and Tim Mayza to handle most of the higher-leverage innings early in the season.

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.

Holmes worked around three hits to deliver a scoreless ninth inning, earning the save in a 5-4 win over the Astros on Thursday.

It certainly appeared that Houston was poised to tie the game in the ninth after two of the first three batters reached safely off Holmes. However, Juan Soto threw out Mauricio Dubon at home for the second out to preserve the one-run lead, before Holmes coaxed a groundout off the bat of Alex Bregman to seal the victory. While Thursday's outing may have been more tenuous than Holmes would have liked, the 31-year-old right-hander appears to be locked into the closing job in New York. Holmes recorded 24 saves last season, pitching to a 2.86 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 71:23 K:BB across 63 innings.

Stephan underwent season-ending surgery Wednesday to repair the torn UCL in his right elbow, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports. The Guardians placed him on the 60-day injured list Thursday.

Though it's not clear if Stephan underwent Tommy John surgery or an internal bracing procedure on his elbow, he'll still be ticketed for a 12-to-16-month rehab and recovery. His move to the 60-day IL freed up a spot on the 40-man roster for right-hander Tyler Beede, whose contract was selected from Triple-A Columbus.

Yarbrough picked up the save in Thursday's 7-1 win over the Cardinals, allowing just one hit while logging one strikeout over three scoreless innings.

After Tyler Glasnow held St. Louis to one run in the first six innings, Yarbrough held the Redbirds to a lone single over three efficient innings as he earned an unexpected Opening Day save. The 32-year-old left-hander isn't likely to see many save chances going forward in Los Angeles, as he's slated for a long-relief role. Yarbrough went 8-7 with a 4.52 ERA and 67:14 K:BB across 89.2 innings last season between the Dodgers and Rays.

Jackson suffered tightness in his lower back Thursday against San Diego and is being sent for an MRI, Shayna Rubin of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Jackson entered the game in the seventh inning and allowed two singles and a walk to the Padres before being removed due to the injury. He suffered from a similar issue in 2023, a concerning development given this was the first game of the new campaign.

Lange did not appear in Thursday's 1-0 win over the White Sox, as Jason Foley recorded the final two outs to earn his first save of the season.

It's unclear whether Lange is injured or if he's fallen in the bullpen hierarchy -- to this point there has been no word of an injury. He last pitched March 24, striking out one batter in a scoreless inning against the Rays in Grapefruit League action. Lange led the team in saves by a good margin last season, recording 26 to Foley's seven, but Foley has the edge in terms of velocity. Shelby Miller and Andrew Chafin bridged the gap from starter Tarik Skubal to Foley in the ninth.