MLB Player News

Phillips (shoulder) faced live hitters at Dodger Stadium on Friday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Friday marked the fourth time Phillips has pitched to hitters after he got a late start to spring training while battling a shoulder injury that kept him out of the World Series last year. The veteran reliever is currently on the injured list, but given his progress, he could be ready to join the big-league bullpen when first eligible April 11. Phillips led the Dodgers in saves during each of the past two regular seasons but is unlikely to receive more than an occasional save chance this year with Tanner Scott now in the fold and Kirby Yates, Michael Kopech (shoulder) and Blake Treinen all having experience pitching in the ninth inning as well.

Hamilton will begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Saturday.

Hamilton started the season on the injured list due to an illness that put him significantly behind schedule during spring training. He's now set to continue ramping up in Triple-A games and should be able to return to the Yankees when eligible April 8.

Sterner didn't allow a hit but gave up two walks while striking out one over two-thirds of a scoreless inning Friday against the Mariners.

Sterner will pitch in middle relief after he was claimed by the A's off waivers from the Rays in the offseason. Sterner had strong strikeout rates in the minors, including a 31.4 K% at Triple-A last season. He's been prone to giving up home runs (1.36 HR/9 at Triple-A) and doesn't have great velocity (93.5 mph average fastball in the majors last season), so his upside may also be limited at age 28. Still, he could be a productive reliever for a team desperate for bullpen arms.

Scott was charged with a blown save in Friday's 8-5 extra-inning win over the Tigers, giving up a run on three hits in an inning of work.

Called in to protect a 3-2 lead in the top of the ninth inning, Scott gave up an RBI single to Manuel Margot with two outs to tie the score, and then nearly served up a game-winning double to Riley Greene, only for Margot to stumble coming around third and get thrown out at the plate on a play that required video review. Scott has been handed two of the Dodgers' first four save chances of the season, with Blake Treinen getting Thursday's opportunity after Alex Vesia closed out Game 2 of the Tokyo Series.

Brieske (0-1) blew the save and took the loss in Friday's 8-5 extra-inning loss to the Dodgers, coughing up five runs (four earned) on four hits while recording just one out.

Dillon Dingler gave the Tigers a 5-3 lead in the top of the 10th inning with a two-run triple, setting the stage for Brieske's first save chance of the season. The right-hander instead melted down in spectacular fashion, giving up a leadoff double to Michael Conforto and a game-tying single to pinch hitter Will Smith before Mookie Betts walked it off with a three-run blast. Given his lack of a track record in the ninth-inning role, Brieske's leash is likely short -- even with Jason Foley beginning the season in Triple-A, the Tigers could turn to Tyler Holton, Tommy Kahnle or Will Vest to protect a late lead if Brieske continues to falter.

Suarez struck out one in a perfect ninth inning Friday to record his second save of the season in a 4-3 win over Atlanta.

The 34-year-old right-hander has wiped the slate clean after a bumpy spring training, picking up saves in each of the Padres' first two games without allowing a run or a hit. Suarez finished fourth in the majors last season with 36 saves in a breakout campaign, and he appears to be on track to be among the league leaders again in 2025.

Diaz struck out one batter in a perfect ninth inning Friday to pick up his first save of the season in a 3-1 win over the Astros.

Diaz looked like his usual self Friday, striking out the first batter he faced and finishing the frame on 15 pitches while touching 98 mph with his fastball. There's no doubt that he's still locked in as the Mets' closer, and he should have plenty more chances to rack up saves over the next 160 contests.

Jackson pitched a perfect ninth inning to pick up the save in Friday's 4-1 victory over Boston.

Despite Jackson's awful Opening Day performance that resulted in him taking his first loss of the year, the Rangers entrusted him with the ninth inning again Friday. He responded with a very efficient showing, recording all three outs on just nine pitches -- seven of which were strikes. The 33-year-old's bounce-back outing should keep him at the top of the pecking order for saves, though Chris Martin and Robert Garcia remain on hand should he falter.

Bednar (save) picked up the save against the Marlins on Friday in a 4-3 win but allowed two runs on one hit and one walk. He recorded one strikeout.

Bednar took the loss on Opening Day for Pittsburgh and nearly cost his club again. The 30-year-old entered the ninth inning with a comfortable 4-1 lead but immediately walked Matt Mervis before Otto Lopez took the first pitch he saw and redirected it 418 feet over the center field wall to get the Marlins within one run. Bednar then retired the next three batters, preserving the 4-3 win. It's indeed been a rough start to 2025 for the two-time All-Star, who struggled to a 5.77 ERA last season. If he can't find his way, he may be in jeopardy of losing save opportunities.

The Mets released Overton on Thursday.

Overton signed a minor-league deal with the Mets in February and allowed two runs in 5.1 innings during spring training, but he'll now have to look for his next opportunity with another club. The 31-year-old hasn't appeared in the majors since 2023, and he accumulated a 9.12 ERA and 1.74 WHIP in 24.2 innings with the Reds' Triple-A affiliate last season.