MLB Player News

Kimbrel gave up a run on two hits and a walk in the ninth inning of Tuesday's 4-1 win over the Yankees. He didn't strike out a batter.

Considering the Phillies hadn't won a game yet this season, manager Rob Thomson wasn't taking any chances with a four-run lead and brought in Kimbrel to finish things out. The veteran closer served up a solo shot to DJ LeMahieu and threw only 14 of his 23 pitches for strikes, but he eventually got the job done. Kimbrel has been scored upon in his first two appearances this season with a 1:3 K:BB, which isn't a great sign for the 34-year-old, but his usage Tuesday suggests he's still the top option for save chances in the Phillies' bullpen once they begin to create some. Seranthony Dominguez, Jose Alvarado and Gregory Soto are also in the high-leverage mix, however.

Strahm didn't factor into the decision in Tuesday's 4-1 win over the Yankees, giving up one hit and one walk over four scoreless innings while striking out three.

The southpaw didn't last long enough to qualify for the win, but Strahm pitched more than well enough to earn one, tossing 42 of 61 pitches for strikes before exiting. The 31-year-old is temporarily filling a rotation spot while Ranger Suarez (forearm) gets healthy, but with Suarez still at least a couple weeks away from joining the team, Strahm should get another couple turns and a chance to stretch out more. He could be an enticing streaming option next week, lining up for a potential two-step that includes a home start against the Marlins.

Finnegan (0-1) blew the save and took the loss Tuesday, recording only one out and surrendering five runs on five hits -- including three home runs -- and a walk as the Nationals fell 10-6 to the Rays.

Called upon to protect a 6-5 lead in the top of the ninth inning, Finnegan instead got taken deep by Luke Raley, Josh Lowe and Yandy Diaz to get tagged with his first blown save of the season. Manager Dave Martinez had already suggested this spring Finnegan might not get every save chance for the Nats, but it'll probably take a couple more disasters before he's out of the closer mix for good. Hunter Harvey and Carl Edwards figure to be the most likely alternatives in the ninth.

Fleming didn't factor into the decision in Tuesday's 10-6 win over the Nationals, coughing up five runs on 10 hits and a walk over three-plus innings. He struck out two.

The hits off Fleming were mostly singles, but they kept on coming as the lefty allowed two runs in each of the first two innings, before three straight knocks to lead off the bottom of the fourth chased him from the game. Fleming's spot in the Rays' rotation could be tenuous, but none of the likely replacements at Triple-A Durham have gotten off to a particularly strong start to the season, so he should get a chance to right the ship. The 26-year-old's next turn figures to come early next week in a home series against the Red Sox.

Karinchak (0-2) allowed a run on a hit and a walk with one strikeout over two-thirds of an inning, taking the loss against the Athletics on Tuesday.

It's been a less-than-stellar start to the season for Karinchak, who has racked up two losses and two holds through four appearances. He walked the leadoff batter in the ninth inning Tuesday, then allowed a walkoff single to Tony Kemp after getting two outs. Karinchak has had some issues with walks, posting a 5:3 K:BB over three innings so far. The Guardians' bullpen has been a strength dating back to last season, so Karinchak could move down the hierarchy if he can't get his early struggles under control quickly.

Gallegos struck out two and allowed one hit in a scoreless inning during Tuesday's 4-1 loss to Atlanta.

Gallegos' season debut was delayed by a mild back injury that kept him from pitching against the Blue Jays in the opening series. He looked solid in his debut, throwing 10 of his 14 pitches for strikes in the ninth inning. He dialed up four swinging strikes during his debut. Gallegos should be in the mix for high-leverage work, potentially even earning some matchup-based save chances if Ryan Helsley is deployed in key situations earlier than the ninth inning going forward.

Jameson picked up the save Tuesday against San Diego. He allowed one run on three hits and one walk while striking out two over two innings.

He lost the battle for the final rotation spot to Ryne Nelson, but Jameson is having a great opening week regardless as he grabbed his first win of 2023 on Friday and now has his first career save to go with it. The back end of the Arizona bullpen has been shaky early on and Jameson, a top 10 prospect in the organization, could quickly emerge as a go-to option in high leverage. He could also stretch back out into a starter's role at some point.

Minter picked up the save with a scoreless ninth inning to close out Tuesday's 4-1 victory over St. Louis. He had one strikeout and didn't allow a baserunner.

Minter needed just 11 pitches to retire the side in order and secure his first save of the season. The left-hander is coming off a dominant 2022 campaign during which he had a 2.06 ERA and 94:15 K:BB across 70 innings, and he should continue to operate as Atlanta's fill-in closer until Raisel Iglesias (shoulder) is able to return from the injured list.

Romano delivered a scoreless ninth inning to earn the save Tuesday against the Royals. He didn't allow a baserunner and had one strikeout.

Romano notched a save Opening Day for Toronto, and he delivered another clean outing Tuesday in Kansas City. The 29-year-old hasn't allowed a baserunner in either of his two outings and maintains a firm grip on the closer role.

Alzolay (1-0) allowed two runs on two hits across 2.2 innings of relief and earned the win Tuesday against the Reds. He struck out five.

Starter Hayden Wesneski didn't make it through five full innings, so Alzolay was needed for a bit of length, and he looked sharp outside of allowing a two-run home run to pinch hitter Stuart Fairchild. The righty made 21 starts for the Cubs back in 2021, though he worked exclusively as a reliever last season. Alzolay figures to stay in that role for the foreseeable future.