MLB Player News

Borucki (hamstring) is throwing off a mound and should be ready to join the Blue Jays' bullpen soon, Kaitlyn McGrath of The Athletic reports.

April 14 is the earliest date Borucki can be activated from the IL, but it looks like he's on track to meet that timeline. The southpaw struggled through an injury-plagued 2021, posting a 4.94 ERA and 21:11 K:BB over 23.2 innings, and he figures to work in middle relief once he's healthy.

Thompson walked one batter, hit another with a pitch and struck out three in a scoreless inning during Thursday's loss to the Mets.

Entering the game in the ninth inning with the Nationals down 5-1, Thompson showed both how dominant he can be -- he topped out at 97 mph with his power sinker while also mixing in a slider -- and how much he needs to work on his control to become a reliable high-leverage reliever. The Nats' bullpen has no one in established roles to begin the year, however, so if Thompson can tighten things up just a little, he could become a dark-horse candidate for saves in 2022.

Pressly allowed one hit in a scoreless ninth inning to record the save Thursday against the Angels.

Pressly didn't have to wait long for his first save opportunity of the season, and he made quick work of the Angels. He allowed a leadoff single to Mike Trout, but then retired the next batter before a double play ended the game. Pressly continued to experience declined fastball velocity, topping out at 92.6 mph with his fastball, though it didn't harm his effectiveness in this outing.

Santillan earned a save against Atlanta on Thursday, pitching a perfect ninth inning during which he struck out two batters.

The Reds' closer situation was murky enough heading into the regular season, and it becomes even more complicated with Santillan -- who wasn't generally considered among the prime candidates for ninth-inning duties -- picking up the team's first save. Manager David Bell indicated in late March that the right-hander was even being considered for a spot in the starting rotation, so the organization obviously values his versatility. It seems unlikely that Santillan would be handed full-time closer duties after one successful outing, though he handled the role with aplomb Thursday, throwing 11 of 15 pitches for strikes and retiring the side in order. There will no doubt be plenty of Thursday night FAAB bids placed on the hurler based on his Opening Day performance, but managers would be wise to reign in expectations for what remains an unsettled bullpen situation in Cincinnati.

Barlow allowed zero runs on two hits across 2.0 innings and earned the victory Thursday against the Guardians. He struck out three and didn't walk a batter.

Barlow notched a 2.42 ERA with 14 holds and six saves across 74.1 innings last season and picked up right where he left off to start the 2022 campaign. The 29-year-old figures to be one of Kansas City's top options for high-leverage situations.

Diaz was designated for assignment Thursday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Diaz made 20 appearances out of the bullpen for the Mets last season, though he was late to spring training due to visa issues. As a result, he failed to make the Opening Day roster. Adonis Medina was added to the 40-man roster in the corresponding move.

Medina was traded by the Pirates to the Mets on Thursday in exchange for cash considerations, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Medina was designated for assignment by the Pirates on Wednesday, and he'll now join his third team since December. Medina was once a well-regarded prospect while in Philadelphia's organization, though he has struggled to produce in the upper levels of the minor leagues. He will start the 2022 season with Triple-A Syracuse.

Robertson worked around a hit to pitch a scoreless inning and earn the save in Thursday's win over the Brewers.

It was Robertson, not Rowan Wick, who got the first save opportunity of 2022 for the Cubs. Wick, who entered camp as the presumptive closer, was called on in the eighth inning. Manager David Ross may mix and match at the end of the game, so this will be a situation worth monitoring. The 36-year-old Robertson would obviously see a big spike in fantasy value if he keeps seeing regular save opportunities.

The Marlins have cleared Hernandez (forearm) to start Monday's road game against the Angels, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Hernandez was forced to exit his final start of spring training prematurely after he was hit in his throwing arm by a line drive. However, the issue won't cost him any time to begin the regular season. Hernandez has regularly been sidelined by injury early in his career, though he has shown significant promise across the last two campaigns by posting an 87:19 K:BB across a combined 77.1 frames.

Manager Don Mattingly said Thursday that Bender is Miami's "go-to-guy" in the ninth inning to start the season, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Dylan Floro is officially on the injured list due to shoulder tendinitis, which has opened the door for Bender to take over the closer's role. However, there is plenty of competition in the Miami bullpen, highlighted by Anthony Bass and Richard Bleier as well as the recently added Cole Sulser. With multiple options to turn to in the ninth inning, Bender will have to perform well if he hopes to maintain save chances while Floro is sidelined.