MLB Player News

Barnes (back) is hopeful that he'll be available to pitch Saturday against the Yankees, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

Barnes was unavailable for Friday's loss to the Yankees after he hurt his back in a workout Thursday, but he'll play catch ahead of Saturday's matchup to test his injury. If the right-hander is available, he's a prime candidate to serve as Boston's closer.

Herget allowed four runs on four hits in the Angels' Opening Day loss to Houston on Friday, registering his only out via strikeout.

Herget was part of a disastrous outing by an Angels bullpen that yielded 11 runs over five innings. The right-hander relieved Mike Mayers -- who allowed three straight batters to reach base to begin the seventh frame -- and kicked off his appearance by striking out Jose Altuve. However, things fell apart for Herget from there, as each of the following four batters produced a hit and eventually came around to score. Herget was one of the final relievers to make Los Angeles' Opening Day 28-man roster, so he'll need to perform much better or risk losing his big-league spot when rosters are reduced to 26 on May 1.

Chapman pitched a perfect inning in the Yankees' 11-inning win over Boston on Friday, striking out two.

Chapman was summoned in the top of the ninth inning and tasked with keeping the game tied, and he did so with aplomb, throwing eight of 12 pitches for strikes and whiffing two batters in the perfect frame. It was a positive debut for the veteran fireballer after he endured one of the least effective campaigns of his career last season, though he still managed 30 saves in 34 chances. Chapman should earn the vast majority of save opportunities for the Yankees again this season and remains a stable fantasy closer despite being on the downswing of his career.

Manager Charlie Montoyo said Pearson (illness) will soon resume light throwing, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

After missing time with mononucleosis, Pearson won't have a quick buildup, but he is finally starting to feel better. There is no timetable for him to join the big-league bullpen, but his return to the active roster could happen later this month.

Hudson pitched a perfect inning against the Rockies on Friday, allowing one hit and striking out three to notch a hold.

With the Dodgers up late, manager Dave Roberts elected to go to Blake Treinen in the seventh inning and Hudson in the eighth before bringing in Craig Kimbrel to shut things down in the ninth. Hudson impressed in his frame, throwing 12 of 18 pitches for strikes and punching out the side. Treinen was perhaps even more impressive by retiring all three batters he faced on only five pitches, while Kimbrel was shaky but picked up the save. The Treinen-Hudson combination in the seventh and eighth innings -- though not necessarily in that order -- figures to be a common one for Los Angeles this season, so both relievers should have ample opportunity to rack up holds along with the occasional win and save.

Sborz allowed three runs on three hits and one walk while striking out one over one inning in Friday's 10-8 loss to Toronto.

John King and Sborz combined for 1.2 ineffective innings of relief, after Texas built a 7-3 lead entering the fifth inning. The Blue Jays kicked off their rally with a two-out walk issued by King and ended when Teoscar Hernandez stung Sborz with a three-run home run. The righty reliever remained in to start the sixth inning and was responsible for a runner that scored after reaching base on yet another two-out free pass. Sborz is projected for high-leverage relief work, but his first outing did not go as planned.

Jansen gave up three runs on three hits and a walk while striking out one in one inning of relief during Friday's 7-6 win over the Reds.

Manager Brian Snitker elected to let his new closer make his debut for Atlanta in a non-save situation and the move nearly backfired, as Jansen almost squandered a 7-3 lead before finally getting Jonathan India to fly out with the tying run at first base. Jansen ended up throwing 30 pitches, so expect someone else to get a save chance Saturday if needed.

Romano struck out two in a perfect ninth inning Friday to record his first save of the season in a 10-8 win over the Rangers.

It didn't look like Toronto's closer would get in any work when the team fell behind 7-0 in the early going, but Romano wound up finishing out the largest comeback by a team on its Opening Day in 72 years. The right-hander is the clear top dog in the Blue Jays' bullpen after racking up 23 saves in 24 attempts with a 2.14 ERA and 33.6 percent strikeout rate in 2021.

Strahm allowed one walk and struck out one over two-thirds of an inning in Friday's 6-5 extra-innings loss to the Yankees.

Straham entered with one out in the eighth inning after DJ LeMahieu mashed a Garrett Whitlock fastball over the fence to even the score at 4-4. For those looking to read the tea leaves in Boston's bullpen, which does not yet have a closer, it was interesting to see Strahm warming up while Whitlock started his third inning of work to begin the eighth. Would manager Alex Cora have turned to the left-hander had Whitlock held the lead after the eighth? Or was Strahm brought in because Matt Barnes (back) wasn't available? The manager wasn't tipping his hand after the game, but it seems that Strahm will be a trusted member of the endgame for Cora. The 30-year-old reliever impressed in spring training with three hits allowed and five strikeouts over three scoreless innings.

Robles allowed a hit and an intentional walk while striking out two over one inning in Friday's 6-5 extra-innings loss to the Yankees.

Robles entered the game in the ninth inning of a 4-4 game and worked out of a two-on jam by striking out Giancarlo Stanton on three pitches. The pitcher was a late arrival to camp and made just two Grapefruit League appearances before being added to the Opening Day roster. There had been some discussion about leaving him off the roster for a short period of time, but the Red Sox determined he was ready to pitch and, apparently, deserved usage in key situations. Boston manager Alex Cora has not named a closer, but it's clear Robles will be entrusted with important innings.