MLB Player News

Romano (1-0) allowed two walks while striking out two over one hitless, scoreless inning to earn the win against the Yankees on Thursday.

Romano came on with the game tied in the ninth inning, and he picked up the win after the Blue Jays scored the go-ahead run in the top of the 10th. The right-hander should serve as the primary closer for Toronto this year with Kirby Yates (elbow) out for the season.

Soto allowed two runs on two hits and a walk in the ninth inning to earn the save against Cleveland in Thursday's season opener.

Soto entered with a three-run lead, but he gave up a two-run homer with one out in the frame. He then issued a two-out walk to Ben Gamel, but Soto remained in the game and forced a flyout to secure the Opening Day save. Soto should serve as Detroit's primary closer to begin the regular season, but Bryan Garcia and Jose Cisnero could compete for save chances if he struggles.

Flores was claimed off waivers by the Cardinals on Thursday.

Flores failed to break camp with the White Sox this year, but he'll find a spot on the Cardinals' 40-man roster. The southpaw posted a 4.15 ERA and 2.08 WHIP in 4.1 innings this spring and has been assigned to the Cardinals' alternate training site to begin the season.

Rodriguez (ankle) landed on the 10-day injured list Thursday.

Rodriguez is expected to miss roughly the first two weeks of the season while he works his way back from an ankle sprain. Once healthy, he could potentially push for save opportunities in a ninth inning that appears to be wide open following Jose Leclerc's Tommy John surgery.

Burke (shoulder) was placed on the 10-day injured list Thursday.

Burke is still working his way back from the shoulder surgery he underwent back in February of last year. It's not clear when he's expected to return.

The Padres placed Lamet on the 10-day injured list Thursday with a right UCL strain.

Lamet's injury dates back to last September, but his placement on the IL is the result of him not being fully ramped up rather than any major concern about his health on the Padres' part. After working 1.1 innings in his final spring-training outing Monday, Lamet will likely need at least a couple more weeks to get fully conditioned for starting duty. Adrian Morejon is expected to serve as San Diego's fifth starter until Lamet is ready to make his 2021 debut.

Holmes' contract was selected by the Pirates on Thursday.

Holmes returned to the Pirates on a minor-league deal in December, but he'll break camp with the major-league club after an impressive spring. The right-hander made 10 relief appearances this spring, delivering 9.2 scoreless innings with a 1.03 WHIP and 8:3 K:BB. He made just one relief appearance for the Pirates in 2020, allowing two hits and striking out one over 1.1 innings.

The Mariners placed Giles (elbow) on the 60-day injured list Wednesday.

Giles' move to the IL was merely a formality, as the Mariners already confirmed prior to spring training that the right-hander would miss the entire 2021 season while recovering from the Tommy John procedure he required in October. The 30-year-old signed a two-year, $7 million contract with Seattle in February, so the Mariners are hoping that a healthy Giles can return some value in the second season of the deal.

Hicks will be eased into game action to begin the 2021 season, Zachary Silver of MLB.com reports.

Hicks opted out of the 2020 season amid the COVID-19 pandemic, and he hasn't pitched in a regular-season game since June of 2019 due to Tommy John surgery. While the right-hander is expected to take over as the Cardinals' primary closer at some point in 2021, manager Mike Shildt said that Alex Reyes should be the favorite to work in the eighth and ninth innings early in the year while Hicks is eased into action. Hicks converted on 14 of his 15 save chances while posting a 3.14 ERA and 0.94 WHIP in 28.2 innings during the 2019 campaign.

Reyes will work in the eighth and ninth innings early in the season while Jordan Hicks is eased into action, Zachary Silver of MLB.com reports.

Reyes is expected to work as a long reliever for most of the 2021 campaign with the hope that he'll move to the starting rotation in 2022. However, Reyes will likely be the top option for save chances to begin the season since the Cardinals will be cautious with Hicks' usage early on after he missed the entire 2020 campaign. While Hicks should take over as the primary closer once he's fully built up, Reyes will handle ninth-inning duties to begin the year. Manager Mike Shildt said that Giovanny Gallegos and Andrew Miller could be utilized in high-leverage situations as well.