MLB Player News

Romano (2-0) picked up the win Wednesday, walking one in a scoreless 10th inning during a victory over the Tigers.

The closer needed 18 pitches (12 strikes) to keep the game tied at 3-3 in the top of the 10th, before the Blue Jays walked it off in the bottom of the frame. Romano has four saves in addition to his two wins, recording one or the other in each of his first six appearances, with a 7:3 K:BB through six innings.

Manager Brandon Hyde said Thursday that Tate (forearm) remains on track to rejoin the Orioles' bullpen at some point in May, Dan Connolly of The Athletic reports.

Tate was diagnosed with a flexor strain back in February but has been throwing for a little while without issue. It's not clear when he might be ready for a rehab assignment, but it shouldn't be too far off.

Smith (1-0), called up from Triple-A Las Vegas earlier in the day, notched the win against the Orioles on Wednesday, firing two scoreless innings during which he allowed a hit and recorded three strikeouts.

Smith had pitched to a 2.25 ERA across four innings over three relief appearances with the Aviators, and he carried over the momentum into his Athletics regular-season debut. Smith benefitted from a favorable decision on his behalf by the official scorer, which declined to award Jeurys Familia -- who preceded Smith and was still in the game when the Athletics went ahead for good in the eighth -- the victory due to his brief and ineffective stint on the mound, per the Associated Press. Smith is likely to remain in lower-leverage scenarios during Domingo Acevedo's (back) stay on the injured list.

Coleman was optioned to Triple-A Omaha by the Royals on Thursday.

Coleman came into the season seemingly poised for an integral late-inning relief role following a nice 2022 campaign. However, he struggled in his first five innings this year, getting pummeled for 10 runs with a 5:7 K:BB. Coleman is a good bet to bounce back but will work out the kinks at Omaha for a while.

Kelly was placed on the 15-day injured list by the Red Sox on Thursday with right elbow inflammation.

Kelly is set to undergo more testing, per Chad Jennings of The Athletic, so the inflammation diagnosis isn't final. The righty reliever was injured during Wednesday's game against Tampa Bay and it looked at the time like it could be something significant.

The Rays selected Bristo's contract from Triple-A Durham on Thursday, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.

Bristo has allowed three runs with a 7:1 K:BB over five innings in his first four appearances with Durham. The 28-year-old right-hander will be making his major-league debut when he gets into a game.

Akin (0-1) allowed two runs on three hits and struck out two in two-thirds of an inning, taking the loss Wednesday versus the Athletics.

Akin was able to work around a one-out single to get the last two outs in the seventh inning, but he put two runners on base in the eighth. Cionel Perez struggled to get through that frame, and Akin was charged with the loss, his first decision in six appearances. He's allowed four runs over 4.1 innings while adding four strikeouts and no walks through six appearances. The southpaw has typically filled a multi-inning role over the last two years, but he's recorded more than three outs in just one outing so far this season.

Clase (1-1) took the loss Wednesday versus the Yankees, allowing an unearned run on two hits and no walks while striking out one over one inning.

Clase entered with the game tied at 3-3, so this wasn't a save situation. The right-hander gave up a single to Giancarlo Stanton, and an error by shortstop Amed Rosario got Stanton to second base. Oswaldo Cabrera then singled in pinch runner Gleyber Torres for the go-ahead run. Clase has been a little shaky this season, allowing four runs (three earned) on five hits and four walks while striking out seven over seven innings.

Fairbanks allowed one hit across a scoreless inning to earn the save Wednesday against the Red Sox.

Fairbanks entered the game with a two-run lead. He allowed a leadoff single but went on to retire the next three batters he faced to record his second save of the new season. While the Rays have provided limited save opportunities early in the new campaign, Fairbanks appears to be the team's primary closer for the time being.

Quijada struck out one in a perfect ninth inning Wednesday to record his second save of the season in a 3-2 win over the Nationals.

The southpaw needed only seven pitches (six strikes) to breeze through the heart of Washington's order. Quijada is the surprising saves leader for the Angels in the early going, but he's also tied for the lead in holds with three. While he might be the most reliable arm in the team's bullpen, Quijada's more likely to be deployed in a situational high-leverage role than be the full-time closer.