MLB Player News

Baker has allowed just one run over 4.2 innings this season.

Baker pitched in the ninth and 10th innings of Friday's 2-1 extra-innings win over the Yankees. He's also dialed up six strikeouts and just one walk across his four appearances this season. While the Orioles are unlikely to generate many save chances for their relievers this season, Baker's pitched well and could see more high-leverage work if he can sustain this early success.

Krehbiel (1-0) allowed a hit and struck out one in a scoreless inning to earn the win Friday over the Yankees.

Krehbiel pitched the 11th inning and performed well. In the bottom of the frame, Ramon Urias drew a bases-loaded walk to secure the win for the Orioles. With just three hits and a walk allowed across five scoreless innings this season, Krehbiel is making a case for more high-leverage work. The Orioles' bullpen has few set roles, so the 29-year-old could easily play his way into the closer conversation if he continues to pitch well.

Pallante allowed two hits and a walk with one strikeout in two scoreless innings versus the Brewers on Friday.

Pallante has yielded six baserunners across three innings in his first two major-league appearances. He'll likely be limited to low-leverage situations until he can keep traffic off the basepaths better. He was solid last season as a starter for Double-A Springfield, where he managed a 3.82 ERA, 1.53 WHIP and 82:42 K:BB, so he should continue to see multi-inning assignments while in the big leagues.

Taylor (back) will pitch an inning at Triple-A Worcester on Sunday, Julian McWilliams of The Boston Globe reports.

Taylor dealt with a back issue for most of camp, and the injury has forced him to miss the start of the regular season. He threw live batting practice Thursday and will make a rehab appearance to close out the weekend. Per Alex Speier of The Boston Globe, manager Alex Cora suggested that Taylor will require 5-6 rehab appearances, so Taylor's likely still at least a week away from rejoining the major-league club.

Romano struck out two in a perfect ninth inning Friday to record his fifth save of the season in a 4-1 win over the A's.

The right-hander has an early lead in saves across MLB, as he's seen a save opportunity in all five of his appearances so far and has yet to stumble. Romano's 0.00 ERA, 0.60 WHIP and 6:0 K:BB through five innings are excellent, and the 28-year-old could be ready to ascend to the ranks of elite closers in 2022.

Cimber (3-0) picked up the win in Friday's 4-1 victory over the A's, giving up one hit over 1.2 scoreless innings of relief while striking out three.

Starter Ross Stripling only lasted four innings, and Cimber was judged to be the most effective of the Blue Jays' relievers even though he allowed an inherited runner to score after entering the game with two on and one out in the sixth inning. Cimber has been one of the biggest beneficiaries of the abbreviated spring training, but his opportunities to vulture wins in this fashion could dry up quickly over the next week or two. He owns a 1.69 ERA, 0.38 WHIP and 4:0 K:BB through 5.1 innings this season.

Johnson (0-1) was tagged with the loss in relief Friday against Atlanta after allowing three runs on four hits across two-thirds of an inning. He struck out two.

Johnson recorded three holds and didn't give up a run in any of his first three outings of the season, but the wheels came off and he couldn't even finish the eighth inning after entering the game with a 2-2 tie. Johnson tossed 19 of his 28 pitches for strikes, but he simply had a rough day. One bad outing is not going to remove him from his high-leverage role, though, especially since he's posted an ERA below the 3.25 mark in each of his last two seasons.

Leiter will be called up from Triple-A Iowa to start Saturday's game against the Rockies, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Leiter joined the Cubs' taxi squad Friday, and his contract will be selected prior to Saturday's matchup in Colorado. The right-hander hasn't made a major-league start since 2017, but he allowed a run on four hits and a walk while striking out seven in four innings during a start at Iowa to begin the 2022 season. The Cubs' starting rotation is shorthanded while Wade Miley (elbow) and Alec Mills (back) are on the injured list, so it's possible that Leiter continues to fill in as a starter if he performs well Saturday.

Jansen recorded his first save of the season Friday against the Padres after tossing a scoreless inning with two strikeouts.

The veteran hurler endured a shaky debut with the Braves when he gave up three runs on three hits and a walk (with one strikeout) across one inning against the Reds on April 8, but he has bounced back and posted back-to-back scoreless outings since then. He's not going to be the dominant closer he was during his prime years with the Dodgers, but his job security is among the highest in the league.

Bard recorded the save Friday against the Cubs despite giving up one run on two hits across one inning. He struck out one and tossed a wild pitch.

Bard gave up an RBI double to Patrick Wisdom and had a runner on third with two outs, but he closed things out when Michael Hermosillo popped out to second base. Bard has earned three saves in four chances and has given up runs in two of his four outings to date.