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  • Ryan Pressly RP | CHC

    Astros' Ryan Pressly: Throws in non-save situation

    Pressly worked a scoreless ninth inning, giving up a hit and a walk while striking out one in a 9-5 win over Oakland.

    For the second straight game to start the season, the potent Houston offense turned a close game into a non-save situation. Pressly didn't enter Thursday's game but got work in Friday.

  • Bryan Abreu RP | HOU

    Astros' Bryan Abreu: Earns win in relief

    Abreu (1-0) allowed one hit and one walk while striking out one over 2.1 scoreless innings to earn the win over Oakland on Friday.

    Abreu entered for starter Cristian Javier, who labored through 38 pitches in the fourth inning and left with two runners on. Abreu retired Elvis Andrus on a groundout then navigated two uneventful innings. Abreu was stretched out during spring training for scenarios like this. Javier missed time this spring due to quarantining and was not built up as a six- or seven-inning starter.

  • Anthony Bass RP | TOR

    Marlins' Anthony Bass: Blows first save chance

    Bass (0-1) blew his first save of the season and took the loss Friday as the Marlins fell 6-4 to the Rays, coughing up four runs on four hits over one inning. He struck out one.

    It was a brutal start to his tenure as Miami's closer. Called on to protect a 4-2 lead in the ninth inning, Bass instead gave up singles to Brandon Lowe and Yandy Diaz before the light-hitting Joey Wendle blasted a pitch into the second deck in right field, with Tampa tacking on one more run afterward for good measure. Bass has little track record as a closer, coming into the season with only 15 career saves, so he might not have much leash in the role. What job security he does have may come from the fact that the Marlins' bullpen lacks any other clear alternatives.

  • Ryan Yarbrough RP | NYY

    Rays' Ryan Yarbrough: Shuts down Marlins

    Yarbrough didn't factor into the decision in Friday's 6-4 win over the Marlins, scattering four hits over 5.2 scoreless innings while striking out three.

    The southpaw dazzled through 65 pitches (41 strikes) but wasn't rewarded with a win for his efforts, as all the scoring in the game came off the bullpens. Yarbrough is expected to transition away from his hybrid role this season and be used exclusively as a traditional starter, but Friday's usage suggests he still won't be allowed to face a batter for a third time in a game very often. He'll face the Red Sox on the road Wednesday in his next scheduled start.

  • Liam Hendriks RP | CHC

    White Sox's Liam Hendriks: Shaky first save

    Hendriks picked up a multi-inning save Friday, allowing two runs on two hits and one walk while striking out two over 1.1 innings in a win over the Angels.

    The White Sox were up, 7-6, and the Angels had two on and two out in the eighth when Hendriks entered to get the final out. Chicago then plated five in the ninth in what was looking like an an uneventful save, particularly when Hendriks retired the first two batters in the ninth, but Shohei Ohtani took him deep for a two-run home run. Sometimes, an elite closer can lose his edge when having the cushion of a big lead.

  • Mark Melancon RP | ARI

    Padres' Mark Melancon: Notches second save

    Melancon earned the save against Arizona on Friday, pitching one scoreless inning and allowing one hit while striking out one.

    There was some question heading into the campaign about who would get the ball for the Padres in the ninth inning, but manager Jayce Tingler has all but erased that mystery by going to Melancon with the team's first two save chances. For his part, the right-hander has found success in both opportunities, converting on both chances and allowing only one hit over two frames. San Diego has plenty of options if Melancon should eventually falter, but for now the veteran appears to be the first choice for save chances for a Padres team expected to win many games.

  • Tyler Rogers RP | TOR

    Giants' Tyler Rogers: Notches first hold

    Rogers walked one and struck out one in a scoreless eighth inning to earn a hold in Friday's 6-3 win over the Mariners.

    Rogers was charged with a blown save in Thursday's loss to the Mariners, but manager Gabe Kapler showed confidence in the 30-year-old right-hander by putting him into a high-leverage situation for a second straight game. Rogers responded well with a clean inning to help preserve the Giants' three-run lead. Rogers is expected to be part of a closer committee this year, but it appears Jake McGee has the edge for ninth-inning duties to start the season.

  • Giants' Wandy Peralta: Picks up relief win Friday

    Peralta (1-0) struck out two over 1.1 perfect innings to earn the win Friday versus the Mariners.

    The 29-year-old relieved Johnny Cueto and finished the sixth inning before retiring the side in the seventh. Peralta enjoyed his best major-league season in 2020 with a 3.29 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 25:11 K:BB across 27.1 innings. The southpaw hasn't recorded a save in the big leagues yet, so expect him to continue seeing most of his appearances in the middle innings.

  • Dodgers' Brusdar Graterol: On IL, but not injured

    Graterol, who was placed on the 60-day injured list Friday, isn't injured but is building up his arm strength after dealing with COVID-19, Jorge Castillo of the Los Angeles Times reports.

    According to the report, Graterol is not expected to actually miss 60 days and will join the Dodgers bullpen once he is back to form, although there was no indication the move was back-dated. Graterol was unable to have a normal buildup this spring, but he has been throwing batting practice sessions.

  • Tanner Scott RP | LAD

    Orioles' Tanner Scott: Picks up hold Friday

    Scott allowed two walks and struck out two in one inning to earn a hold in Friday's 3-0 win over the Red Sox.

    The 26-year-old worked the eighth inning after John Means spun seven innings of one-hit ball. Scott wasn't quite as efficient, but he kept runs off the board. The southpaw is expected to be in the mix for saves to start 2021. Cesar Valdez pitched a scoreless ninth inning Friday to earn the save, and Shawn Armstrong (paternity) and Hunter Harvey (oblique) could also eventually challenge for closing duties.

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