MLB Player News

Soto earned the save after striking out one and walking one during the ninth inning of Thursday's 4-2 win in Kansas City.

Soto pitched around a walk to record his second save of the season. The 2021 All-Star became the Tigers' closer mid-season last year and is 2-for-2 in save opportunities to open 2022. While the 27-year-old only has two strikeouts in four innings this season, he averaged better than 10 K/9 in each of the last two campaigns and should begin to pile up more punchouts as the year progresses.

Adon (0-2) allowed six earned runs on nine hits and three walks while striking out five across 4.2 innings to take the loss Thursday against the Pirates.

Adon was handed a three-run lead prior to taking the mound, but he was unable to maintain the advantage. He surrendered a pair of home runs that accounted for half of the damage against him, and he also struggled to get pitches in the zone. Across a pair of starts and a total of nine innings, Adon has allowed 10 earned runs and seven walks. Prior to earning a spot in the Nationals' rotation to open the campaign, Adon had thrown only 23.1 combined innings between the upper levels of the minors and the major leagues. That makes a demotion to Triple-A Rochester a realistic possibility if his struggles continue, though for now Adon is projected to start Tuesday against Arizona.

Bender allowed two hits but threw a scoreless ninth inning to earn the save Thursday against the Phillies. He didn't record a strikeout or issue a walk

Bender was called upon to protect a one-run lead in the ninth inning. He allowed a leadoff single, but then induced a double-play from the next batter he faced. After allowing a second knock, the right-hander got Bryce Harper to fly out to end the game. Bender has allowed two earned runs across 3.1 frames to begin the season, but he has also also tallied two saves and is the team's clear closer for the time being.

King recorded his first save of the season, pitching one inning and striking out one in a 3-0 win Thursday over Toronto.

King entered the game with no outs and the bases loaded, following three consecutive walks by Aroldis Chapman. The 26-year-old needed just five pitches to get out of the jam as he struck out George Springer and Bo Bichette lined into a game-ending double-play. It was the first career save for King. He is fairly far down the depth chart in the Yankees bullpen and is unlikely to get many more save opportunities anytime soon.

Barria allowed two runs (one earned) on four hits while striking out two in four innings in a 10-5 loss Thursday in Texas.

Barria entered an 8-2 game in the fifth inning after starter Shohei Ohtani was knocked out early. After giving up two runs in the fifth, Barria settled down and held the Rangers scoreless over the final three frames. The 25-year-old has been relegated to long-relief duties for the Angels to start the season and has yet to walk a batter through 6.2 innings.

Jimenez earned his first save of the season after pitching a scoreless ninth inning during Thursday's 6-3 win over the Rays. He didn't register a walk or strikeout.

Jimenez drew his first save opportunity in his third appearance of the season. With a three-run lead, the 28-year-old reliever made quick work of the Rays despite an error from first baseman Billy McKinney. Closer Lou Trivino pitched the previous two days and three of the last four, which likely opened up the save chance for Jimenez.

Fleming (1-1) took the loss after giving up five runs (three earned) on seven hits across 3.1 innings during Thursday's 6-3 loss to Oakland. He struck out six and walked one.

Fleming replaced Luis Patino (oblique) in the rotation and threw a season-high 67 pitches. While he got into trouble in every inning, the 25-year-old displayed the potential to be a high-strikeout long reliever after posting a 5.6 K/9 in 26 starts last year. Through 6.2 innings this season, Fleming has recorded 11 strikeouts compared to just one walk.

Lambert (0-1) took the loss after allowing two runs on two hits across three innings during Thursday's 5-1 loss to the Mariners. He walked one and struck out one.

Lambert gave up a two-run home run to Jarred Kelenic in the second inning but didn't allow a baserunner in his other two frames. As expected, he only threw 49 pitches and will likely have a similar workload during his next outing while he ramps up his conditioning following a shortened spring training. Lucas Giolito (abdominal) was placed on the injured list Tuesday, and Lambert is expected to continue drawing short spot starts in the ace's absence, though Giolito said recently that he's feeling much better than he did after initially suffering the injury.

Lambert (forearm) has resumed throwing, Danielle Allentuck of The Denver Gazette reports.

Lambert has been dealing with elbow pain since the start of spring training, and he's on the 10-day injured list as a precautionary measure to begin the regular season. The right-hander was expected to be on a pitch count in 2022 after missing most of last year while recovering from Tommy John surgery, so it's unlikely that his absence will impact his availability for this season overall. However, it's not yet clear when Lambert will be able to return to game action.

Santana was placed on the COVID-19 injured list for an undisclosed reason Thursday.

Santana is reportedly asymptomatic, but it's not yet clear whether he's tested positive for COVID-19. Right-hander Nick Snyder was recalled from Triple-A Round Rock to provide bullpen depth, while it's not yet known when Santana will be able to return.