MLB Player News

Kimbrel pitched a scoreless inning with a strikeout in Wednesday's 4-2, extra-inning loss to the Brewers.

Kimbrel pitched a clean ninth inning in a 1-1 game, but the Cubs allowed three runs in the 10th inning to take the loss. The veteran reliever has yet to allow a hit or a walk across three innings, and he's struck out six. It's too early to definitively say that Kimbrel is back to his old self after struggling in 2019 and 2020, but it's certainly encouraging to see him get off to a good start.

Devenski was placed on the restricted list for personal reasons Wednesday.

The 30-year-old blew a save by allowing a game-tying, solo homer Tuesday against the Rockies, and he's now been placed on the injured list for personal reasons. It's unclear when Devenski is expected to rejoin the team. Joakim Soria (calf) is on the injured list and Kevin Ginkel is battling an illness, so Yoan Lopez could be the top option for saves in Arizona for the immediate future.

Colome earned the save Wednesday against the Tigers by allowing one hit with zero walks and three strikeouts across two scoreless innings.

The 31-year-old last pitched April 3 at Milwaukee but returned to the mound Wednesday with a strong performance in Detroit. Colome blew a save Opening Day by giving up three unearned runs, and he's yet to allow an earned run through three outings this season.

Williams allowed one run on a hit and a walk and struck out two in one inning in Wednesday's 4-2 extra-inning win over the Cubs. He was charged with a blown save.

Williams entered the game with the Brewers ahead 1-0, but he allowed a solo home run to Cubs outfielder Joc Pederson in the bottom of the eighth. The 26-year-old Williams has allowed two runs, two hits and two walks with three strikeouts across 1.2 innings to begin 2021. Despite already allowing more earned runs than he did in all of 2020, the right-hander is expected to remain in a setup role behind closer Josh Hader.

Boxberger retired the only batter he faced to earn the save in Wednesday's 4-2 extra-inning win over the Cubs.

Boxberger relieved J.P. Feyereisen with the bases loaded and two outs in the bottom of the 10th inning. The 32-year-old Boxberger got Ian Happ to fly out on six pitches to secure the Brewers' win. This was Boxberger's first save since the 2019 season when he played for the Royals. He has not allowed a baserunner nor recorded a strikeout in his first 1.1 innings this year. As long as Josh Hader is healthy, Boxberger shouldn't be expected to see many save chances.

Hader (2-0) walked one and struck out two over one inning to earn the extra-inning win Wednesday versus the Cubs.

Hader pitched a scoreless ninth inning and was in line for the win after Lorenzo Cain's three-run homer put the Brewers ahead in the 10th. J.P. Feyereisen and Brad Boxberger upheld the lead to give Hader the win. The Brewers' primary closer hasn't gotten a save chance yet, but Hader has allowed just one baserunner while striking out five in his two innings of work this year.

Pirates director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk said Wednesday that Soriano (elbow) is approaching the simulated-game stage of his throwing progression, Jake Crouse of MLB.com reports.

Soriano opened the season on the 60-day injured list while he works through the latter portion of his rehab program from February 2020 Tommy John surgery. He's been able to throw side sessions in recent weeks without any new discomfort, so the Pirates plan to have him face hitters in the near future. After being selected by the Pirates in December's Rule 5 draft, Soriano must spent at least 90 days on the active roster in 2021, or else the Pirates will have to return him to the Angels.

Smith allowed one run on one hit and two walks with one strikeout during the seventh inning to earn the save during Game 1 of Wednesday's doubleheader at Washington.

The left-hander struggled with his command and threw only 11 of 21 pitches for strikes as he gave up a run in his second straight appearance. Smith has surrendered two runs on three hits with three strikeouts and two walks across two innings through his first two outings of the season.

Suter threw three scoreless innings of relief in Tuesday's victory over the Cubs.

Suter gave up three hits and an earned run in his first appearance of the season, but he did not allow even one base knock Tuesday and issued only one walk. Suter is not in a particularly fantasy-friendly role, but he does generally go more than one inning at a time, which boosts his chances of picking up wins in relief.

Barnes struck out four over two scoreless innings in Tuesday's 6-5 extra-innings win over Tampa Bay.

Barnes entered a non-save situation in the ninth inning and stayed in the game when Boston pushed across the tying run in the bottom half of the inning. He's considered the team's primary closer, but he's yet to get an opportunity to close out a game. Barnes has pitched well in two outings, striking out six with one walk over three scoreless innings.