MLB Player News

Munoz (shoulder) played catch prior to Friday's game against the Rockies and felt no pain or discomfort, the team's official site reports.

The fireballing reliever continues to enjoy a smooth stint on the injured list, helping corroborate an earlier MRI that suggested his strain was minor. Munoz will continue to do some light throwing while sidelined but appears to be a strong candidate to be activated when first eligible.

Leclerc pitched a perfect ninth inning in Friday's 6-2 win over Houston.

Leclerc had been warming up when the Rangers plated an insurance run, making it a non-save situation. Still, it was a nice bounce back for Leclerc, who blew a save in his previous outing Tuesday versus the Royals.

Sewald picked up the save Friday against the Rockies, striking out two in a perfect inning.

Sewald is now 3-for-3 in save opportunities this year, with eight strikeouts in as many innings pitched. The righty continues to prove himself as one of the better closers in the league, as he's had 31 saves over the previous two seasons. He should continue to get save chances while Andres Munoz (shoulder) is on the injured list.

Lopez (0-1) allowed two earned runs on two hits and a walk in two-thirds of an inning to take the loss Friday against the Orioles.

Lopez entered the game in the seventh inning with one out and runners on first and second. He retired the first batter he faced without incident but then gave up a hit, walk and double in succession to turn a three-run lead into a one-run deficit. Lopez is the only White Sox pitcher to have recorded a save this season, but he's now allowed at least one earned run in four of his seven appearances. That could lead manager Pedro Grifol to rethink his usage of Lopez.

Baumann (1-0) walked one and struck out two without allowing a run in two-thirds of an inning to earn the win Friday over the White Sox.

Baumann got the last two outs of the sixth in relief of starter Tyler Wells. Baumann walked the bases loaded, but he was able to escape the jam, and the Orioles rallied for the lead in the top of the seventh. This is Baumann's first season working as a full-time reliever after coming up through the minors as a starter. So far, he's done reasonably well with a 1.23 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 6:4 K:BB across 7.1 innings, but his low-leverage role isn't one to attract fantasy managers.

Stephan (1-0) allowed a hit and a walk and struck out one in a scoreless inning to earn the win Friday versus the Nationals.

Stephan pitched the bottom of the seventh inning, and the Guardians pulled ahead in the top of the eighth. The right-hander is already up to eight appearances this season and has been quite effective, allowing just one run, six hits and three walks over eight innings. He's also picked up a save and a blown save. Stephan should continue to be one of the setup options ahead of closer Emmanuel Clase.

Bautista picked up the save in Friday's 6-3 victory over the White Sox, allowing one walk and striking out three during a scoreless ninth inning.

Bautista came on in the ninth with a three-run lead and struck out Yasmani Grandal and Lenyn Sosa before walking Oscar Colas. The right-hander ended the game and earned his fourth save by striking out Elvis Andrus. Through seven appearances, Bautista holds an impressive 15:3 K:BB and a 1.35 ERA.

Jansen picked up the save in Friday's 5-3 win over the Angels, allowing one hit and striking out three during a scoreless ninth inning.

Jansen came on with a two-run lead and struck out Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani before surrendering a two-out single to Anthony Rendon. The veteran right-hander proceeded to strike out Hunter Renfroe to end the game and earn his third save of the season. Jansen has allowed zero runs on three hits and two walks while striking out seven through four appearances.

Clase gave up one hit while striking out one in a scoreless ninth inning Friday against the Nationals to secure the save.

He hasn't been quite as dominant in the early going as he was last season, but Clase is still one of the very best closers in the league. The 25-year-old flamethrowing righty boasts a 52.4 percent groundball rate, eight strikeouts, four saves and one win through eight innings.

Romano struck out one in a perfect ninth inning Friday against the Rays to pick up the save.

This was Romano's fifth save of the campaign, and he has recorded either a save or a win in all seven of his appearances. He gave up three earned runs in one outing, but for the most part Romano has appeared to be in complete control of the ninth-inning role in Toronto.