MLB Player News

Garcia allowed two runs on two walks and struck out one in one-third of an inning to earn a hold in Thursday's extra-inning loss to the Mariners.

While Garcia earned a hold in his first appearance, it was anything but a smooth process. Both batters he put on base with walks came around to score after Tyler Rogers entered the game. Garcia was excellent last season with a 0.49 ERA and 0.98 WHIP in 18.1 innings, but there's little chance he performs near that level. Nonetheless, he'll likely play a role in the late innings to begin 2021, although he's not expected to see many save chances.

Pearson (groin) is scheduled to throw off a mound Friday, Rob Longley of the Toronto Sun reports.

The 24-year-old aggravated a right groin injury in mid-March and was previously limited to long toss, so a return to mound work is a big step in his recovery. Pearson doesn't have an official timeline for his return, but Toronto figures to remain cautious with the young right-hander, especially since he already suffered one setback after originally suffering the injury March 4.

Rogers allowed an unearned run and one hit in two-thirds of an inning, getting charged with a blown save in Thursday's extra-inning loss to the Mariners.

Rogers entered the game after Jarlin Garcia worked into a jam in the eighth inning. An error by Brandon Belt allowed two runs to score, handing Rogers the blown save, although Alex Dickerson's homer in the ninth got the 30-year-old righty off the hook. It's a slightly discouraging beginning to the year for Rogers, especially considering Jake McGee worked a scoreless ninth inning in a non-save situation. There's no clear answer as to which pitcher will rise above the rest for saves in a crowded Giants bullpen, if any, but Rogers should be expected to see usage in high-leverage situations.

Rogers threw a scoreless inning with a strikeout in Thursday's Opening Day loss to the Brewers. He appeared in the seventh to face key left-handed batters Christian Yelich and Travis Shaw. "Over the course of this year, we're going to see him, and probably everybody, pitching some different spots when it makes the most sense," manager Rocco Baldelli told the Minneapolis Star Tribune afterward.

It was only one game, but Rogers was used in a high-leverage setup spot while Alex Colome was used in the ninth inning to protect a three-run lead. Colome blew the save chance, so performance could dictate save opportunities more than anything, but for now it looks like Colome may get the majority of save chances even without Baldelli defining any roles.

Nelson (0-1) was tagged with the loss Opening Day against Toronto, allowing one unearned run on one hit while striking out three.

Nelson looked good in the appearance, throwing 11 of 15 pitches for strikes. However, he allowed a leadoff 10th-inning double to Randal Grichuk, permitting Jonathan Davis -- who was on second base due to MLB's extra-innings rule -- to come around to score. Despite the disappointing outcome, Nelson's ability to recover and subsequently strike out the side bodes well for his effectiveness this season following a strong spring.

Brogdon (1-0) picked up the win in Thursday's season opener against Atlanta, tossing a clean 10th inning.

In an oddity that can only happen in an era where teams start with a runner on second base in extras, Brogdon only faced two batters to retire the side. He shut down a pair of very good ones however, getting Freddie Freeman on a groundout before Marcell Ozuna flew out to center fielder Roman Quinn, who threw Ozzie Albies out at home for the inning-ending double play. It's notable that it was Brogdon who was called upon for the high-leverage frame after Archie Bradley, Jose Alvarado and Hector Neris had already been used. That suggests that Brogdon is fourth in the team's hierarchy -- nowhere near save chances at the moment, but within striking distance should he pitch well to open the season while the more established names ahead of him struggle.

Alvarado allowed three baserunners (a walk, a single and a hit by pitch) but didn't allow a run in his inning of work Thursday against Atlanta, striking out three.

The outing gave Phillies fans the full Jose Alvarado experience in his first game with his new club. He struck out half the batters he faced and only allowed one out of six to make contact, but he also loaded the bases. A steady diet of both walks and strikeouts should be expected from the lefty this year, as he owns a career 28.1 percent strikeout rate and a 12.3 percent walk rate.

Garcia (0-1) allowed a solo home run to Austin Meadows in the eighth inning of Thursday's 1-0 loss to the Rays.

It was the only baserunner the right-hander gave up and he did strike out a batter, but with the Marlins' bats quiet, there was no margin for error for any Miami pitcher. Thursday's usage does at least confirm Garcia will handle a high-leverage role to begin the season, and the 30-year-old righty could be the next man up in the ninth for manager Don Mattingly if Anthony Bass falters as the team's closer.

Smith struck out the side in a perfect ninth inning during Thursday's extra-inning loss to the Phillies.

With Atlanta on the road, manager Brian Snitker elected to turn to his closer in a tie game against the top of Philadelphia's order rather than hold Smith back for a possible save situation later. The veteran southpaw responded by fanning Andrew McCutchen, Rhys Hoskins and Bryce Harper on only 14 pitches. Atlanta's bullpen depth will allow Sntiker to deploy Smith outside of closing situations on occasion, but he will be the team's primary relief weapon and should see the bulk of the save chances.

Underwood struck out the side in a perfect fourth inning during Thursday's 5-3 win over the Cubs.

Underwood holds a career 7.9 K/9 while working predominantly as a starter in the minors, but his pitches have played up as a reliever in the big leagues and he has a 11/1 K/9 in 37.1 MLB innings following Thursday's appearance. Pittsburgh currently envisions using Underwood as a multi-inning reliever. Acquired from the Cubs in early March, the 26-year-old could get a look as a starter if he continues to pitch well given the uncertainty in the Pirates' rotation.