MLB Player News

Walker earned the save in Thursday's 6-4 win over the Reds, allowing a run on one hit in the ninth inning.

Walker recorded the first two outs in the ninth before hitting Jacob Hurtubise with a pitch, who then came around to score on a TJ Friedl single. However, Walker would rebound and record the final out to close out the Giants' Opening Day victory. The 29-year-old Walker is coming off an impressive 2024 campaign, during which he posted a 1.91 ERA and 0.85 WHIP across 80 innings. He logged 10 saves after taking over the closer job late in the year and should have pretty good job security to begin 2025.

Gibaut (0-1) was charged with the loss and a blown save Thursday against the Giants after giving up four runs on three hits and a walk over two-thirds of an inning. He struck out two.

Gibaut was literally the last pitcher added to the Reds' roster after Alexis Diaz (hamstring) was placed on the IL earlier this week, so it was a major surprise he was called upon for the save Opening Day. It's noteworthy that potential fill-in closers Scott Barlow, Emilio Pagan and Tony Santillan pitched the sixth-through-eighth innings, but that still left Taylor Rogers and Graham Ashcraft available. Gibaut had a 3.33 ERA and 23 holds in 74 outings for Cincinnati in 2023, but he has a 4.33 ERA in his MLB career and isn't likely to see consistent high-leverage opportunities.

Sewald earned the save in Thursday's 7-4 extra-inning win over the Royals, striking out one in a perfect 10th inning.

After Kansas City tied the game off Emmanuel Clase in the bottom of the ninth, Sewald successfully preserved a three-run lead in the 10th to earn the save in his first appearance with the Guardians. Sewald, who signed a one-year deal with Cleveland in the offseason, started the 2024 season as the Diamondbacks' closer, though he struggled in the second half before eventually losing the ninth-inning job. While Sewald won't overtake Clase, it looks like the 34-year-old right-hander will be trusted with a high-leverage role.

Hendriks was diagnosed with a compressed nerve in his right elbow and expects to resume throwing early next week, Mac Cerullo of the Boston Herald reports.

Hendriks landed on the injured list Thursday after a tough spring, though the team was optimistic his absence would be brief. The initial diagnosis confirms that outlook, and Hendriks could be back after the 15-day minimum if his recovery goes smoothly.

Clase (1-0) blew the save but picked up a win in Thursday's 7-4 extra-inning victory over the Royals. He allowed one run on three hits while striking out one in the ninth inning.

Clase was nearly perfect last season, converting 47 of 50 save opportunities while pitching to a pristine 0.61 ERA. However, it was a rocky start to the 2025 campaign for the right-hander. Tasked with protecting a one-run lead, Clase gave up back-to-back hits to start the ninth before Michael Massey tied the game with a sac fly. While he'd eventually earn the win after Cleveland scored three runs in the top of the tenth, it certainly wasn't the start to the year that fantasy managers expected. Still, there's little cause for concern here as Clase has proven to be one of the game's elite closers, posting 40 or more saves in each of his previous three seasons.

Hader earned the save Thursday after giving up one run on two hits and one walk in the ninth inning to close out a 3-1 win against the Mets. He struck out two.

Entering the ninth inning up three runs, Hader found himself in immediate trouble after giving up back-to-back singles before allowing a walk to load up the bases. He steadied himself by punching out Hayden Senger, and after giving up a sacrifice fly to Francisco Lindor, Hader managed to close things out by striking out Juan Soto. It took Hader 35 pitches to come away with the Opening Day save, which will affect his availability out of the bullpen Friday and potentially Saturday.

Williams earned the save Thursday after giving up one run on two hits and a walk over one inning in a 4-2 win over the Brewers. He struck out two.

The All-Star closer's debut with the Yankees was almost disastrous, as nearly blew a three-run lead against his former team. Williams loaded the bases in the ninth inning before recording an out via a sacrifice fly, and he then proceeded to strike out Jackson Chourio and Christian Yelich to end the game. Friday's team off day will provide Williams with a breather after he threw 36 pitches, but such a heavy workload early in the schedule could still affect his availability for Saturday.

Hendriks will get his right elbow examined in Texas, likely on Thursday, but the Red Sox are optimistic the injury isn't serious, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Hendriks was placed on the 15-day injured list earlier Thursday with a previously undisclosed elbow injury. Chief baseball officer Craig Breslow said the reliever "wasn't bouncing back" as hoped and his stuff "wasn't where he wanted it to be." More will be known following Hendriks' visit with Dr. Keith Meister, but Breslow is optimistic the righty will return "pretty quickly."

The Guardians placed Sabrowski (elbow) on the 15-day injured list Thursday.

Sabrowski missed most of the Cactus League schedule while dealing with inflammation in his elbow, but he has resumed throwing from flat ground up to 105 feet, per MLB.com. The 27-year-old lefty doesn't have a defined return timeline just yet, but that may change once he receives the green light to begin throwing off a mound.

The Mets placed Montas (lat) on the 15-day injured list Thursday.

The 32-year-old suffered a high-grade right lat strain early in spring training. A recent MRI showed significant healing, and Montas could be ready to begin a throwing program by early April.