MLB Player News

Snider (1-0) allowed a hit and struck out one in a scoreless inning to earn the win Saturday versus the Guardians.

Snider was tasked with the 10th inning Saturday, and he did his part. He collected the win as Adalberto Mondesi knocked in the lone run in the bottom half of the frame. Saturday was Snider's major-league debut -- he's expected to work out of the bullpen in a multi-inning role after primarily rising through the minors as a reliever.

Chafin (groin) threw a bullpen session Saturday, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

Chafin suffered a groin strain late in spring training, though he is reportedly feeling much healthier. He may need to go on a rehab outing prior to being activated given that he was able to throw only two exhibition innings before suffering the injury.

Luetge (1-0) was credited with the win over Boston on Saturday, pitching a scoreless inning during which he walked one and struck out two batters.

The southpaw entered the contest with the score tied in the sixth inning and retired Boston on 16 pitches. He earned his first win of the campaign when the Yankees scored a pair of runs in the bottom of the frame. Luetge figures to be a key middle-relief arm for New York this season after posting a 2.74 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 78:15 K:BB across 72.1 innings in 2021.

Coonrod (shoulder) is throwing from up to 90 feet, Alex Coffey of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Coonrod suffered the injury late in spring training, and he was shut down entirely for a week. However, he's begun his throwing progression, which is a positive sign in his recovery. He'll look to continue to ramp up the intensity of his work and could be in line for a return by late April.

Kolarek was recalled by the Athletics on Sunday, Matt Kawahara of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Kolarek made 12 appearances out of Oakland's bullpen in 2021, posting a poor 8.00 ERA and 2.22 WHIP across nine innings. He is likely to pitch in low-leverage situations. Skye Bolt (oblique) was placed on the injured list in the corresponding move.

Thompson (biceps) was placed on the 10-day injured list Sunday.

Thompson exited Saturday's game in the eighth inning with an apparent arm injury. He was officially diagnosed with a biceps strain, and he will now miss at least the next 10 days -- and perhaps more. Hunter Harvey was recalled to take Thompson's spot in the bullpen.

Harvey was recalled by the Nationals on Sunday.

Harvey was unable to secure a roster spot out of spring training after joining the Nationals on March 21. However, with Mason Thompson (arm) hitting the injured list, the team has a need in its bullpen. Harvey is not likely to immediately contend for saves, though he could move his way towards the role with multiple strong outings.

Smith recorded his first save of the season in Saturday's 2-1 win over the Reds, giving up a run on a hit and a walk while striking out one in one inning of relief.

Kenley Jansen threw 30 pitches in his Atlanta debut Friday and wasn't available, leaving closing duties in the hands of Smith. The southpaw wasn't exactly sharp, but he did get the job done, which is not a surprising outcome after he racked up 37 saves in 2021. As long as Jansen is healthy, however, Smith will mostly be relegated to setup duties and high-leverage spots earlier in games, limiting his fantasy appeal to leagues that score holds as well as saves.

Bender gave up a hit in a scoreless ninth inning Saturday to record his first save of the season in a 2-1 win over the Giants.

After blowing his first save chance of the year Friday, Bender was right back on the mound with a lead on the line the next day, and this time he came through. It's reassuring that manager Don Mattingly didn't lose faith in the right-hander after one outing, and if Bender can keep getting the job done through the first couple weeks of the season, he could wind up keeping the closer role even after Dylan Floro (shoulder) comes off the injured list.

Okert (1-0) picked up the win in Saturday's 2-1 victory over the Giants, striking out all four batters he faced.

Facing the team that drafted him back in 2012, Okert took over from Pablo Lopez to begin the sixth inning and put together an outstanding first appearance of the season, getting rewarded with a win when Jesus Sanchez brought home the winning run in the top of the seventh. Okert is coming off his best MLB season in 2021, but his low 90s fastball-slider combination plays best in a situational or middle-relief role, so the 30-year-old southpaw isn't likely to see much high-leverage work.