MLB Player News

Bautista struck out two batters and earned a save with a perfect inning against Texas on Monday.

Bautista slammed the door about as fast as possible, needing just seven pitches to finish off the 2-0 victory. He's already picked up two saves this season with a blown chance sandwiched in between. After taking a loss Saturday against Boston, he was thrown right back into the ninth-inning role Monday. Bautista threw three splitters against the Rangers and each one forced a swinging strike.

Bednar gave up one hit and struck out two in a scoreless frame to pick up the save Monday against the Red Sox.

The Pirates' closer now has two saves in two appearances to start the season. Pittsburgh won't win a ton of games, but Bednar seems like the undisputed closer at the moment.

Atlanta manager Brian Snitker told reporters before Monday's game against the Cardinals that Iglesias (shoulder) has not resumed throwing, Justin Toscano of the Atlanta Journal Constitution reports.

The original plan was for Iglesias to start throwing seven days after he was diagnosed with right shoulder inflammation on March 23. That has yet to take place, and Snitker told reporters that he has been getting treatment. At this point, it seems likely Iglesias will need a rehab assignment before he's ready to return to the Atlanta bullpen.

Estevez tossed a scoreless inning against Oakland on Sunday, allowing one hit and one walk while striking out three batters.

Estevez opened spring training as the possible favorite for closing opportunities this season, but he struggled mightily in Cactus League play to throw that scenario into question. The right-hander made his regular-season Angels debut Sunday, taking over in the ninth inning with Los Angeles staked to a 6-0 lead. There was both good and bad in Estevez's appearance -- he allowed back-to-back two-out baserunners but kept Oakland off the scoreboard and recorded all three outs via strikeout. It remains to be seen how manager Phil Nevin will eventually manage save situations, but Estevez should at least be among the top options to close when opportunities arise.

Okert (groin) is scheduled to throw a live batting practice session Wednesday, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Okert doesn't look as though he's on pace to be activated from the 15-day injured list when he's first eligible April 11, but his absence shouldn't extend much beyond that if he's able to steer clear of setbacks as he recovers from the left adductor tightness that cropped up late in spring training. If Okert checks out fine following the upcoming live session, he could be cleared to head out on a brief minor-league rehab assignment soon thereafter.

The Marlins announced Monday that Nance (shoulder) has been playing catch from 105 feet, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Nance will likely need to extend his throwing distance a little more before being deemed ready for mound work, something that could happen within the next week or two if he experiences no further setbacks in his recovery from a right shoulder injury. As a reliever, Nance likely won't be in need of as extended of a buildup program as a starting pitcher, but he still has several checkpoints to clear in his rehab before he'll be a realistic option out of the Miami bullpen.

Wilson picked up the save in Monday's victory over the Mets while allowing no runs on one hit and three walks while striking out two over three innings.

With the Brewers up by double digits, Milwaukee decided not to waste any of their other bullpen arms and allowed Wilson to pick up the rare three-inning save. It's unlikely he'll be inline for more save chances unless the Brewers offer more blowout opportunities.

The Marlins announced Monday that Bender (elbow) has resumed playing catch, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Playing catch marks Bender's first reported throwing activity since he underwent Tommy John surgery Aug. 30, 2022. Though he'll likely face a shorter recovery and buildup program from his surgery than a starting pitcher, Bender still isn't expected to be ready to pitch out of the Miami bullpen at any point in 2023.

Fleming could be used as a bulk reliever rather than a traditional starter Tuesday against the Nationals, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Fleming is currently listed as the starter for Tuesday's contest, but manager Kevin Cash said the team will discuss after Monday's game whether to use an opener ahead of the lefty on Tuesday. Fantasy managers that have Fleming rostered in deeper leagues will be rooting for him to be a bulk reliever, as it should give him a better shot to pick up a win.

Triple-A Albuquerque placed Hollowell on its 10-day injured list Sunday due to right forearm tightness, Danielle Allentuck of The Denver Gazette reports.

Hollowell was the final reliever the Rockies cut prior to Opening Day, and the right-hander looks like he'll have to wait a little longer for a call-up to the big-league bullpen now that he's tending to an injury. The 25-year-old previously appeared in six games for the Rockies in 2022, logging a 7.71 ERA and 1.57 WHIP over seven innings.