MLB Player News

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.

Pivetta (0-1) took the loss Tuesday, as the Red Sox were downed 4-1 by the Pirates, giving up three runs (one earned) on three hits and three walks over five innings. He struck out six.

The strikeouts, as well as a passed ball by Reese McGuire that kept the second inning alive, helped salvage his night from a fantasy perspective, but Pivetta also served up homers to Ji Hwan Bae and Bryan Reynolds. The right-hander allowed a career-high 27 long balls last year, and his issues keeping the ball in the park are a large part of the reason why he's never had an ERA below 4.50 in his big-league career. Pivetta lines up for a two-step next week, as Boston heads to Tampa Bay before hosting the Angels on the weekend.

Fairbanks threw a scoreless ninth inning without allowing a baserunner in Tuesday's 10-6 win over the Nationals.

Fairbanks made his second appearance of the season, and he recorded the final three outs on only eight pitches. The Rays have yet to have a save opportunity, but Fairbanks has thrown in the ninth inning for both of his outings and appears to be in the best position to pick up saves in Tampa Bay to begin the season.

Fleming didn't factor into the decision in Tuesday's 10-6 win over the Nationals, coughing up five runs on 10 hits and a walk over three-plus innings. He struck out two.

The hits off Fleming were mostly singles, but they kept on coming as the lefty allowed two runs in each of the first two innings, before three straight knocks to lead off the bottom of the fourth chased him from the game. Fleming's spot in the Rays' rotation could be tenuous, but none of the likely replacements at Triple-A Durham have gotten off to a particularly strong start to the season, so he should get a chance to right the ship. The 26-year-old's next turn figures to come early next week in a home series against the Red Sox.

Karinchak (0-2) allowed a run on a hit and a walk with one strikeout over two-thirds of an inning, taking the loss against the Athletics on Tuesday.

It's been a less-than-stellar start to the season for Karinchak, who has racked up two losses and two holds through four appearances. He walked the leadoff batter in the ninth inning Tuesday, then allowed a walkoff single to Tony Kemp after getting two outs. Karinchak has had some issues with walks, posting a 5:3 K:BB over three innings so far. The Guardians' bullpen has been a strength dating back to last season, so Karinchak could move down the hierarchy if he can't get his early struggles under control quickly.

Romano delivered a scoreless ninth inning to earn the save Tuesday against the Royals. He didn't allow a baserunner and had one strikeout.

Romano notched a save Opening Day for Toronto, and he delivered another clean outing Tuesday in Kansas City. The 29-year-old hasn't allowed a baserunner in either of his two outings and maintains a firm grip on the closer role.