MLB Player News

Manaea (0-1) picked up the loss Sunday against the Astros, allowing five runs on six hits in 4.2 innings and striking out four while walking three.

The Astros' bats were going all series -- they scored 35 runs in 36 innings -- and Manaea couldn't do anything to slow them down. They got on him right away, scoring in each of the first three innings. Kyle Tucker hit a solo shot in the first, while Jason Castro followed up with a two-run homer in the second. Yuli Gurriel added two more with a third-inning double. It's a disappointing beginning to the season for Manaea, who started last year slowly as well, struggling to a 9.00 ERA in his first four starts. He'll face the Astros again in his second start of the year, which should come in Houston on Friday.

Sulser allowed a hit and struck out three over two innings in Sunday's 11-3 win over the Red Sox.

Sulser was one of the Orioles' last additions to their Opening Day roster, and Sunday was his first appearance of the year. He finished 2020 with a 5.56 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 19:17 K:BB. While the right-hander saw save opportunities last year, he's expected to work more often in middle innings in 2021. Cesar Valdez, Tanner Scott and Shawn Armstrong are expected to share closing duties.

Devenski allowed a run on one hit and struck out one to pick up the save in Sunday's 3-1 win over San Diego.

Perceived closer Joakim Soria came on to start the eighth inning and exited early with a calf injury, so what was a murky closer situation prior to Sunday became even less clear following the game. It would appear a group of Devenski, Kevin Ginkel, who closed out the eighth inning, and Stefan Crichton could get work in the final third of games.

Norris (0-1) allowed four earned runs on four hits across 1.2 innings to take the loss in Sunday's game against Cleveland. He struck out one.

Norris came on in the sixth inning and allowed an inherited runner to score to make it 3-2 in favor of Detroit, but the lefty really ran into trouble in the seventh. He started the frame by allowing three straight hits and two runs, then was tagged for a two-run home run by Jordan Luplow with one out that made it 6-3 in favor of Cleveland. Norris was effective in long relief for the Tigers last season, posting a 3.25 ERA and 1.16 WHIP across 27.2 innings, so he should be able to bounce back from the rough outing.

Kimbrel pitched a scoreless ninth inning with two strikeouts to record the save in Sunday's win over the Pirates.

Kimbrel picked up his first save of 2021 and recorded his second consecutive scoreless outing to begin the season. It's a good start for the veteran reliever, who posted a 5.28 ERA last year and a 6.53 ERA in 2019. Fantasy managers will want to see Kimbrel string together a few more good appearances to really feel confident, but he's got fantasy value as long as he has the closer role in Chicago and is pitching well.

Zimmermann allowed three runs on four hits and a walk while striking out five over six innings in Sunday's win over the Red Sox.

The lefty was dominant in his debut, with his lone mistakes being to J.D. Martinez on a solo shot in the fourth and RBI double in the sixth. The 26-year-old rookie was impressive given it was his second career start, throwing 54 of his 73 pitches for strikes and striking out five. Zimmermann is scheduled to pitch on Saturday against the Red Sox again.

Merryweather recorded the save Sunday against the Yankees after tossing a scoreless ninth inning while fanning two.

Merryweather recorded his second save of the season in dominant style, as he tossed nine of his 11 pitches for strikes and didn't have any problem recording the final three outs of the game. Merryweather is now 2-for-2 in save opportunities this season, and he could get more opportunities down the road, though Jordan Romano might serve as the team's primary closer going forward.

Borucki (1-0) tossed 0.2 scoreless innings in Sunday's win over the Yankees.

Borucki earned his first win of the season and needed only two outs to accomplish that feat. He tossed five of his eight pitches for strikes and easily retired Jay Bruce and Gary Sanchez. Borucki is not expected to see the mound in high-leverage situations though, so his upside isn't very high going forward. However, he has started the year with back-to-back scoreless outings.

Neris was credited with the save after tossing a scoreless inning Sunday against the Braves. He walked two and struck out one.

Neris has made three appearances already this season and has yet to allow a run while fanning five. His two walks created a stressful situation, as the Phillies were holding a one-run lead in the ninth, but the veteran right-hander eventually closed the door to earn his first save of the campaign.

Alvarado (1-0) tossed a scoreless inning and struck out two in Sunday's win against the Braves.

Alvarado tossed an eventful inning in his previous appearance -- he allowed three baserunners and fanned three of the six batters he faced -- but looked far more dominant this time around, tossing eight of his 10 pitches for strikes and making quick work of the Braves in the eighth inning. This was an encouraging outing for the talented but inconsistent lefty.