MLB Player News

Floro has yet to give an earned run in 3.1 innings over four appearances this season, recording a 4:1 K:BB and one hold.

The right-hander has arguably been Miami's best reliever through the first week of the year. Floro's effectiveness stands in stark contrast to the struggles of closer Anthony Bass, and while manager Don Mattingly doesn't seem inclined to make a change in the ninth inning just yet, Floro is positioning himself to be in the saves mix if Bass does lose the job. Yimi Garcia (2.25 ERA, 3:2 K:BB in 4.0 IP) has been the Marlins' primary eighth-inning arm, however, and could be ahead of Floro in the pecking order for closer duties.

Diekman is likely to remain in his customary setup role during the prolonged absence of closer Trevor Rosenthal following surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports. "It's not ideal to use Jake in the ninth inning," manager Bob Melvin said. "A lot of times, his spot comes up before that in the eighth."

Diekman proved nearly unhittable last season while primarily logging eighth-inning work, securing 13 holds while posting an 0.42 ERA and 0.94 WHIP across 21.1 innings (21 appearances). The veteran left-hander's extensive body of work in high-leverage/non-closing scenarios is one reason Melvin seems intent on using him earlier than the ninth inning. When addressing how he'll handle the closer role for the time being, the Athletics skipper expressed a preference for Lou Trivino to get the first chance at ninth-inning duties.

Garcia struck out one in a perfect eighth inning Thursday to record his second hold of the season.

Unfortunately for the Marlins, Anthony Bass blew his second save in the ninth. Garcia's been solid so far, posting a 2.25 ERA and 3:2 K:BB through four innings in four appearances, and his usage suggests he would be the next man up at closer if Bass gets removed from the role. Dylan Floro (0.00 ERA, 4:1 in 3.1 IP) has been more effective in the early going than Garcia, however, and could also be in the mix if the team looks for another ninth-inning option.

Bass received a vote of confidence from Marlins manager Don Mattingly after blowing his second save of the season Thursday, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports. "I definitely think it's too early to make a judgment on that [changing closers]," Mattingly said after Thursday's loss. "Anthony's got good stuff. He's going to be fine."

While the right-hander's second loss of the season came in controversial fashion after Michael Conforto allowed himself to be hit by a pitch in the strike zone to force in the winning run, Bass had already blown the save by serving up a Jeff McNeil solo homer, not to mention loading the bases to set the stage for Conforto's walkoff HBP. Despite Mattingly's patience, Bass doesn't have the kind of track record that would give him plenty of leeway, and he'll need to turn things around quickly to hang onto ninth-inning duties.

Wilson (shoulder) was activated from the 10-day injured list Friday.

The veteran southpaw opened the season on the injured list after shoulder tightness cropped up late in camp, but he'll join the team after missing the first week of the campaign. Wilson had a 3.66 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 23:9 K:BB over 19.2 innings for the Mets last season.

Fairbanks was placed on the 10-day injured list Friday with a right rotator cuff strain, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports.

The right-hander surrendered a run over 1.1 innings during his last appearance Tuesday at Boston, and he'll now be sidelined for the near future. According to Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network, Fairbanks will be shut down from throwing for 2-to-3 weeks, so he'll likely be unavailable until at least early May. Diego Castillo is 2-for-3 in save chances this season and should continue to operate as the primary closer with Fairbanks and Nick Anderson (elbow) sidelined.

Barnes struck out three over a perfect inning in Thursday's 7-3 win over Baltimore.

Barnes had himself another dominant outing, needing just 11 pitches in a near-immaculate performance to dispatch the Orioles in a non-save situation. Through four innings, he's allowed one baserunner (a walk) and struck out nine of 13 batters faced. He's picked up where he left off in Grapefruit League play when struck out eight and allowed two hits in 5.1 scoreless innings. The Red Sox have not yet needed someone to close a game, but it's clear Barnes is ready if and when a save opportunity presents itself.

Ginkel (illness) allowed one hit over a scoreless inning in Thursday's 7-4 loss to Colorado.

Ginkel was unavailable for a game earlier this week with manager Torey Lovullo saying the reliever was "under the weather." Arizona's unsettled bullpen could use some stability, and Ginkel has not yet been scored upon in four appearances, spanning 3.1 innings.

Trivino rather than Jake Diekman is the leading candidate to log save chances during Trevor Rosenthal's (shoulder) prolonged absence, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports. "If we can keep moving forward with Lou, he gives us an option to close as well, " manager Bob Melvin said. "He's pitched really well for us. We've seen what he can accomplish when he's feeling good."

The right-hander has carried over his momentum from an excellent spring into the regular season, giving up just a solo home run across 5.2 innings while recording six strikeouts over four appearances. Melvin also has a seemingly appealing left-handed option for ninth-inning work in Diekman, but he noted Thursday that he'd prefer to keep the veteran in a setup role whenever possible. Trivino does have some closing experience, albeit not very successful, as he's converted only four of 11 save opportunities over the past three seasons. His mid-90s fastball serves as an excellent weapon for high-leverage scenarios, but his career 4.1 BB/9 could prove problematic.

McHugh fired three scoreless innings in a loss to the Red Sox on Wednesday, allowing four hits and no walks while recording two strikeouts.

McHugh had a rough landing against the Marlins on Saturday in his first regular-season appearance since August 2019, but that outing may have served to work out a few kinks. The right-hander's long-relief stint Thursday seems like precisely the type of assignment that's tailor made for the versatile McHugh as he continues to reacclimate to big-league bats -- a low-leverage, innings-eating scenario following a rough performance by the starting pitcher. The fact that McHugh got 33 of his 45 pitches into the strike zone Wednesday was also encouraging, considering he managed to do so only 12 times among 26 offerings in his first appearance.