MLB Player News

Luetge (1-0) picked up the win Opening Day against the Nationals, allowing one run on two hits over one inning of relief.

The southpaw replaced Max Fried (hamstring) in the fourth inning with Atlanta ahead 4-1, and the Nats never came close to tying the score. Luetge is expected to begin the season in middle relief -- even with Raisel Iglesias (shoulder) on the shelf, A.J. Minter and potentially Dylan Lee are still ahead of Luetge on the depth chart from the left side. Atlanta's offense is potent enough that Luetge could vulture some wins, something the 36-year-old did eight times over the last two seasons with the Yankees.

Thompson gave up one hit and struck out three over two scoreless innings of relief in an Opening Day loss to Atlanta.

The 25-year-old righty entered the game in the sixth inning with the Nationals down 4-2 and fanned Austin Riley and Michael Harris to keep things close for the home squad. Thompson's role is fairly undefined to begin the season -- starter Patrick Corbin couldn't complete four innings Thursday, taxing the Washington bullpen right out of the gate -- but if he keeps getting the job done, he could work his way into a high-leverage role.

White was placed on the 15-day injured list by the Blue Jays on Thursday with right elbow inflammation, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

White has dealt with both shoulder and elbow issues this spring and it's unclear when he might be available as an option for the Jays. He's out of minor-league options, so White will rejoin the big club when healthy, whether that's as a reliever or as part of the rotation.

Sulser allowed two runs on two hits and one walk over one inning in Thursday's 8-2 loss to the Dodgers.

Sulser was brought in after Los Angeles chased starter Zac Gallen with two outs in the fifth inning. Pitching roles in the Diamondbacks' bullpen remains somewhat of mystery, but it looks like Sulser could serve in a middle-relief role for now.

Jimenez earned a save against the Angels on Thursday, pitching a scoreless ninth inning during which he allowed one walk and struck out one batter.

Oakland's closer situation had been hazy throughout the spring, but it may have gained some clarity Opening Day. With the A's trailing by a run heading into the eighth inning, manager Mark Kotsay turned to Trevor May, and after the team took the lead in the bottom of the frame, Jimenez was called upon to close things out in the ninth. The right-hander responded well to the situation, working around a one-out walk to shut the door. It would be premature to declare Jimenez a full-time closer, but he could be the most frequent recipient of save opportunities for Oakland given his success Thursday and the 11 saves he recorded last season.

Pressly (0-1) took the loss in Thursday's 3-2 loss against the White Sox. He allowed two runs on two hits and one walk while striking out one over one inning.

Pressly was called upon in the ninth inning with the score tied 1-1, and he was unable to keep Chicago off the board. After retiring Oscar Colas to begin the frame, Pressly allowed three straight hitters to reach base, with Andrew Vaughn's two-run double serving as the crushing blow. The Astros were able to fight back with one run in the bottom of the ninth but couldn't get Pressly off the hook for the loss. While this was certainly not the way the veteran closer envisioned his first outing of 2023 ending, he has plenty of job security and should get the first crack at a ninth-inning save opportunity whenever that arises.

Lopez picked up the save in Thursday's 3-2 victory over Houston. He allowed one run on one hit and one walk while striking out one over one inning.

With Liam Hendriks (illness) opening the season on the injured list, fantasy managers have been speculating on who would get the first crack at a save for the White Sox. Lopez became the answer to that question Thursday, as he was called upon in the ninth inning and was able to close things out despite giving up a solo home run to Yordan Alvarez and a walk to Kyle Tucker. Kendall Graveman did well as the setup man, pitching a scoreless ninth inning, and he could certainly see some closing opportunities as well. It appears that Lopez will at least be a consideration, though, until Hendriks is able to return.

Robertson picked up the save in Thursday's 5-3 victory over the Marlins. He struck out two in a perfect inning of work.

Manager Buck Showalter said earlier this week that he would not name a closer going into the 2023 season, but he acknowledged Robertson's experience and leaned on that experience in the Mets' first save chance of the new season. Robertson, who now has 158 career saves, got the job done on 16 pitches, nailing down the win for Max Scherzer. Garrett Cooper and Jazz Chisholm went down swinging against Robertson before Jorge Soler flew out to right field to end the game.

Farmer picked up the loss on Opening Day to the Pirates, allowing a run on a walk in the eighth inning to break a 4-4 tie.

Farmer walked the leadoff hitter, allowed a stolen base, and that runner subsequently scored on a sacrifice fly. He'll likely get future opportunities to get games to Alexis Diaz in the ninth, despite failing to do so on Thursday.

Cruz walked three batters and threw a wild pitch while recording just one out in relief of Hunter Greene in Thursday's Opening Day loss to the Pirates.

Cruz's control problems allowed both of the runners he inherited from Greene to score, and contributed to the Reds walking a cumulative nine batters over the course of the game.