MLB Player News

Blach (1-0) earned the win in relief Friday against the Cubs after tossing 1.2 scoreless innings, giving up one walk and striking out one.

Blach entered the game with one out and the bases loaded in the fifth inning, replacing German Marquez, and while he allowed a sac fly to Jonathan Villar, Blach eventually got the job done when Clint Frazier flied out to center. The sixth inning was far more comfortable and he retired the side in order. In the end, Blach needed just 21 pitches to record five outs and claimed his first win of the campaign. Through two appearances, he has one win, one save and 5:2 K:BB through 5.2 innings.

Jimenez struck out two in a scoreless inning of relief to earn a hold in Friday's win over the Royals.

Jimenez has carried over a strong spring into the regular season, as he's now logged four scoreless innings with four strikeouts in the early going. The righty has been volatile before, but he has the talent to string together some good performances if he's able to find some consistency. He should continue to work in front of Michael Fulmer and Gregory Soto in the Detroit bullpen.

Barnes allowed two runs on one hit, two walks and a hit batsman in Friday's 8-4 loss to Minnesota.

The Red Sox struggled against Minnesota pitching but finally cracked the code during a three-run eighth inning that closed the gap to 6-4. Barnes, who had two encouraging appearances in low-leverage spots earlier in the week, was brought on to keep the Twins in check for a potential ninth-inning comeback. Unfortunately, he was unable to find the strike zone, walking two straight and hitting a batter, leading to two runs. This had the appearance of manager Alex Cora testing Barnes as a ninth-inning guy, but it was not a closer-like performance.

Kimbrel saved Friday's 3-1 win over the Reds, pitching a perfect ninth inning with no strikeouts.

Making just his second appearance, Kimbrel made quick work of the bottom of Cincinnati's order in securing his second save. This outing went much smoother than his first last Friday, and he remains the best bet for save opportunities on the Dodgers.

Iglesias allowed one hit in a scoreless inning during Friday's win over Texas. He struck out two and earned a save.

Iglesias gave up a leadoff single to Corey Seager but was able to retire the next three Rangers in order, including back-to-back punchouts of Mitch Garver and Adolis Garcia. The 32-year-old righty has converted both of his save chances this season and is now sporting a 2.25 ERA with four strikeouts through four appearances.

Doval allowed a hit in a scoreless inning Friday, striking out one and earning his second save against Cleveland.

Jose Ramirez knocked a one-out double, but Doval was able to shut the threat down and preserve a 4-1 win. He's now earned a save in back-to-back outings and has a 4.1-inning scoreless streak after coughing up three runs and blowing a save against Miami on April 8. The 24-year-old is sporting a 5.06 ERA with a 5:2 K:BB.

Suter left Friday's game against the Cardinals after colliding with the dugout railing, Sophia Minnaert of Bally Sports Wisconsin reports.

Suter lobbied with his manager and training staff to stay in, which could indicate that he wasn't hurt all that badly, but the Brewers elected to take no chances with the team down nine runs. The exact nature of his injury and whether or not he'll need a trip to the injured list are not yet clear.

Staumont pitched a perfect eighth inning Friday, striking out one in a 2-1 loss to Detroit.

Staumont needed just nine pitches to retire the side in order in the eighth. It was the first clean inning of the season for the righty. In 2021, he allowed fewer than six hits per nine innings while fanning nearly 10 batters per nine and picking up five saves and 16 holds. Scott Barlow is the closer for the Royals, but Staumont is still one of the top high-leverage arms in their bullpen.

Fulmer picked up the save Friday, striking out one in a perfect ninth inning during a 2-1 win in Kansas City.

After Gregory Soto received both of Detroit's save opportunities to start the season and pitched in three of the prior four games, manager A.J. Hinch called upon Fulmer to get the final three outs Friday. The righty needed just 11 pitches to retire the side in order and finished the night by striking out Hunter Dozier on three pitches. Fulmer, the 2016 American League Rookie of the Year as a starter, was second on the Tigers last season with 14 saves and is next in line should Soto falter.

Hendriks struck out one batter in a scoreless ninth inning and earned a save over the Rays on Friday.

Hendriks quickly retired the Rays in order in the ninth, needing just 11 pitches to secure his third save of the year. It was his first scoreless appearance of the season after coughing up four runs (three earns) in his first three outings. The White Sox clearly still have full confidence in Hendriks as he's earned three saves in the last four days.