MLB Player News

Morgan (1-0) allowed a hit and struck out one over one inning, earning the extra-inning win Wednesday over the Athletics.

Morgan has had a productive series in Oakland, earning a win and a save in his last two appearances. The right-hander was dialed in with 15 of his 19 pitches going for strikes Wednesday. He's given up a hit in each of his four outings this season, but he also boasts a 6:1 K:BB and has allowed only one unearned run through four innings. With James Karinchak struggling early on, there's a chance Morgan's strong pitching could lead to him featuring as a high-leverage option as part of the bridge to closer Emmanuel Clase.

Holmes earned a save against the Phillies on Wednesday, striking out three batters in a perfect ninth inning.

Holmes continues to improve from his rough season debut. The 30-year-old earned his first save of the season and threw nine of his 16 pitches for strikes while punching out all three batters he faced. Holmes has provided impressive performances in consecutive outings and will continue to serve as the go-to option in the Yankees' bullpen for save situations.

Voth (0-1) allowed three runs on four hits and struck out three over 1.1 innings, taking the loss Wednesday versus the Rangers.

Voth was responsible for Josh Jung's tiebreaking two-run home run in the sixth inning as well as a Nathaniel Lowe RBI double in the seventh. The 30-year-old Voth was thought to be in the mix to take Kyle Bradish's (foot) place in the rotation, but the Orioles instead opted to call up top prospect Grayson Rodriguez, who allowed two runs on four hits and a walk over five innings in his major-league debut. It looks like Voth will likely spend much of 2023 in a low-leverage role out of the bullpen. He's given up four runs, including two homers, across his first 2.1 innings this season.

Clase earned a save in Wednesday's 6-4 extra-inning win over the Athletics, allowing one walk and striking out one batter over one scoreless frame.

Cleveland's bullpen blew a late lead to send the game into extras, but the Guardians offense was able to put up two runs in the top of the 10th. Clase then came on to close the door in the bottom of the frame, throwing 11 of 15 pitches for strikes and fanning the final two batters he faced. This was a solid bounce-back outing after Clase blew a save chance by giving up two runs against Oakland on Monday.

Estevez wasn't used to close out the Angels' 4-3 win over the Mariners on Wednesday because manager Phil Nevin wanted to give him another day of rest after the reliever pitched Sunday and Monday, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Nevin instead opted for Jose Quijada, who pitched around a single to record the team's first save of the season. Even though he wasn't the one to get the save, this news should be heartening for those rostering Estevez, as it would appear he could be at the top of the Angels' bullpen pecking order. It remains a messy situation, but fantasy managers with Estevez should be hanging on for now.

King's velocity was down in Tuesday's loss to Philadelphia, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

King allowed four hits over 1.1 innings in the outing, with the first two knocks driving in a pair of runs that were charged to Domingo German. King's fastball topped out at 95.2 mph in the contest, about a tick below his average velocity on the pitch last season. Overall, King's average four-seamer is clocking in at 94.1 mph this season as opposed to 96.4 mph in 2022. While the right-hander said he believes the reduced velocity to be mechanical, manager Aaron Boone suggested that the reliever may be in the midst of a "dead-arm period." It's not yet certain if the issue will affect King's availability moving forward.

Leclerc picked up the save after striking out one in a scoreless ninth inning during Wednesday's 5-2 win over the Orioles.

Leclerc got the call in the ninth after Will Smith, who picked up the Rangers' first save opportunity Sunday against Philadelphia, worked 1.1 innings following Jacob deGrom's start. It appears Leclerc and Smith are going to split closing opportunities to open the season, which would seem to limit both players' overall fantasy upside. Leclerc now has two strikeouts across two scoreless innings to start the year.

Kelley is recovering from a fractured left foot and should be ready to go at High-A Winston-Salem by the end of the month, Jim Callis of MLB.com reports.

Kelley saw time late last season at Double-A, but he has never pitched at High-A, so that's an obvious starting spot for him once healthy. The hard-throwing righty logged a 3.34 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 59:40 K:BB in 64.2 innings at Single-A last year.

Pressly (illness) tossed a scoreless frame Monday in the Astros' 7-6 loss to the Tigers in 11 innings.

After taking the loss in relief on Opening Day last Thursday, Pressly wasn't available for any of the Astros' games against the White Sox this past weekend while he was feeling under the weather. Fortunately, Pressly seems to have quickly moved past the ailment, as he retired the side in 12 pitches during his appearance Monday.

Mayza struck out all four batters he faced to record his first hold of the season in Tuesday's win over the Royals.

The southpaw cut through the bottom of Kansas City's order after entering the game with one out and one on in the seventh inning, fanning Vinnie Pasquantino, Jackie Bradley, Nate Eaton and Nicky Lopez on only 19 pitches (13 strikes). Mayza has collected at least 16 holds in three straight seasons, and he figures to be comfortably in double digits again in 2023 as the top lefty in the Toronto bullpen.