MLB Player News

Hernandez (1-0) allowed two runs on three hits and a walk over three innings in Thursday's win over the Rangers. He struck out five.

Starter Brad Keller lasted just 1.1 innings Thursday, forcing the Royals to dip into their bullpen early in the slugfest. Hernandez allowed both runs in the third inning. The 24-year-old Hernandez is expected to be the Royals' fifth starter this year even though he's begun the campaign in the bullpen. The Royals' schedule is light enough in April that a fifth starter in the rotation won't be needed until April 14. Hernandez had a 4.91 ERA and 1.70 WHIP across 14.2 innings in 2020. He made five appearances (three starts).

Melancon didn't allow a baserunner in a scoreless ninth inning to earn the save Thursday against the Diamondbacks.

Melancon protected a one-run lead effectively, as he needed only seven pitches to induce a flyout and two groundouts to end the game. The closer role was in flux for the Padres entering the season, with Drew Pomeranz and Emilio Pagan also in the mix. However, Pagan pitched in the seventh inning and was followed by Pomeranz one frame later, offering the impression that Melancon may have the opportunity to claim save opportunities going forward.

Howard (1-0) earned the win in relief Thursday against the Cubs after striking out the side in a spotless inning.

Howard pitched the sixth inning of the season opener and was absolutely dominant -- he tossed nine of his 13 pitches for strikes. That said, the entire Pirates bullpen was lights out, allowing just one run across six frames between six hurlers. Howard is coming off the best season of his career in 2020, as he posted a 3.86 ERA with a career-best 1.24 WHIP across 21 innings (22 appearances).

Hader (1-0) earned the win in Thursday's extra-inning victory over the Twins. He tossed a perfect inning while striking out all three batters he faced.

Hader was absolutely dominant when called upon in the season opener, tossing nine of his 11 pitches for strikes in a masterful inning. He went 13-for-15 in save opportunities last season and should be one of the league's elite closers once again in 2021.

Colome recorded a blown save in Thursday's extra-inning loss against the Brewers. He allowed three runs (none earned) on two hits in the ninth inning.

Colome was handed the task of closing out the first game of the season, but he failed miserably, allowing an RBI single to Christian Yelich and a two-run double to Travis Shaw -- the latter with two outs. This surely wasn't the start to the season that Colome wanted, especially since he'll be competing for the closer role with Taylor Rogers, who tossed a scoreless inning Thursday.

Norris worked around a hit and walk to pitch 1.1 scoreless innings and record a hold in Thursday's win over Cleveland. He struck out one.

Norris got the last out of the seventh, then worked the eighth before handing the game over to Gregory Soto. A former starter, Norris pitched multiple innings in all but one of his 14 appearances in 2020, and he kicked off 2021 by giving the Tigers valuable length in a game they won by a run. That makes the lefty a valuable option for new manager A.J. Hinch, though it won't translate into much fantasy value outside of leagues that count holds.

Cisnero pitched a scoreless inning with two strikeouts to record a hold in Thursday's win over Cleveland.

Cisnero was the first Detroit reliever to appear in the game, coming on for Matthew Boyd with two outs in the sixth. The righty breezed through his three batters on 14 pitches and handed things over to Daniel Norris. Gregory Soto recorded the save but also allowed two runs in the process. Soto should continue to get the first crack at the closer's role early in the season, but Cisnero could be an option at some point if the former hits a rough patch or goes down with an injury.

Diekman is a primary candidate to see save opportunities in the wake of Trevor Rosenthal's (shoulder) placement on the 10-day injured list Thursday, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

The veteran southpaw enjoyed a dominant spring that was essentially a microcosm of his stellar 2020 campaign, with Diekman sporting an unblemished ERA and issuing just one walk across six otherwise clean innings (six appearances) in Cactus League play. Diekman failed to convert the only save opportunity he logged last season, but he posted 13 holds with a 0.42 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and 31 strikeouts across 21.1 innings.

Graveman is the likeliest next man up for closing opportunities if Rafael Montero falters in the ninth-inning role, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.

Graveman is presently producing some of the highest velocity readings of his career. He got his feet wet in the bullpen last season, and he'll remain a reliever in 2021. The veteran right-hander is projected primarily for eighth-inning duty to start the campaign, but his overall experience and ability to miss bats make him a potentially strong candidate for the highest-leverage scenarios if Montero doesn't prove to be up to the task.

Merryweather struck out three over a perfect inning to earn the save against the Yankees on Thursday.

Merryweather entered in the bottom of the 10th inning on Opening Day after the Blue Jays took a one-run lead in the top of the frame. The right-hander needed just 11 pitches to strike out the side and pick up his first major-league save. Nonetheless, Jordan Romano pitched the ninth and should serve as the primary closer for the Blue Jays this season.