MLB Player News

Martin allowed one run on two hits and a walk over one inning in Thursday's 10-5 win over the Angels.

Martin finished up the blowout win and probably wasn't being too fine with his pitches, but the left-hander has not had a clean inning yet in 2022. He's allowed runs in all three outings thus far, giving up five hits and two walks while striking out one over 2.1 innings.

King (1-0) allowed zero hits and one walk over 1.1 scoreless relief innings to pick up the win over the Angels on Thursday.

Starter Dane Dunning was pulled after eight outs and 86 pitches, but the Rangers were coasting at the time with an 8-2 lead. Dunning's inefficiency created a chance for King to collect his first win of 2022. King, who worked as a multi-inning reliever in 2021, vultured seven wins out of the bullpen last season, when Texas starters often needed relief. The rotation is off to a similar start this season (6.85 ERA while averaging four innings per start), so guys like King could be needed often in the middle innings. Mix in a potent offense (fourth in runs scored so far) and the recipe is there for more relief wins.

Brentz (0-2) took the loss Thursday versus the Tigers, allowing two runs on three hits and a walk with two strikeouts in two-thirds of an inning.

Brentz has made a mess of his last two outings, and he's taken the loss in both. He allowed RBI singles to Victor Reyes and Austin Meadows in the seventh inning of this contest, and the Royals' offense wasn't able to get him off the hook. Brentz has now allowed four runs, four hits and four walks with four strikeouts through 2.1 innings. The 27-year-old was effective in a high-leverage role last year, but he could move to the middle innings if he doesn't get back on track soon.

Pilkington was optioned to Triple-A Columbus on Thursday.

Pilkington secured a spot on the Guardians' Opening Day roster this year, but he didn't make his major-league debut in any of the team's first six games of the regular season. The southpaw made 22 appearances (21 starts) at the Double-A level last year and posted a 3.13 ERA and 0.99 WHIP in 100.2 innings, and he should now get a chance to face Triple-A competition for the first time. The Guardians haven't yet announced a corresponding move, but it's possible Josh Naylor (lower leg) will be able to return from the 10-day injured list.

Soto earned the save after striking out one and walking one during the ninth inning of Thursday's 4-2 win in Kansas City.

Soto pitched around a walk to record his second save of the season. The 2021 All-Star became the Tigers' closer mid-season last year and is 2-for-2 in save opportunities to open 2022. While the 27-year-old only has two strikeouts in four innings this season, he averaged better than 10 K/9 in each of the last two campaigns and should begin to pile up more punchouts as the year progresses.

King recorded his first save of the season, pitching one inning and striking out one in a 3-0 win Thursday over Toronto.

King entered the game with no outs and the bases loaded, following three consecutive walks by Aroldis Chapman. The 26-year-old needed just five pitches to get out of the jam as he struck out George Springer and Bo Bichette lined into a game-ending double-play. It was the first career save for King. He is fairly far down the depth chart in the Yankees bullpen and is unlikely to get many more save opportunities anytime soon.

Barria allowed two runs (one earned) on four hits while striking out two in four innings in a 10-5 loss Thursday in Texas.

Barria entered an 8-2 game in the fifth inning after starter Shohei Ohtani was knocked out early. After giving up two runs in the fifth, Barria settled down and held the Rangers scoreless over the final three frames. The 25-year-old has been relegated to long-relief duties for the Angels to start the season and has yet to walk a batter through 6.2 innings.

Jimenez earned his first save of the season after pitching a scoreless ninth inning during Thursday's 6-3 win over the Rays. He didn't register a walk or strikeout.

Jimenez drew his first save opportunity in his third appearance of the season. With a three-run lead, the 28-year-old reliever made quick work of the Rays despite an error from first baseman Billy McKinney. Closer Lou Trivino pitched the previous two days and three of the last four, which likely opened up the save chance for Jimenez.

Fleming (1-1) took the loss after giving up five runs (three earned) on seven hits across 3.1 innings during Thursday's 6-3 loss to Oakland. He struck out six and walked one.

Fleming replaced Luis Patino (oblique) in the rotation and threw a season-high 67 pitches. While he got into trouble in every inning, the 25-year-old displayed the potential to be a high-strikeout long reliever after posting a 5.6 K/9 in 26 starts last year. Through 6.2 innings this season, Fleming has recorded 11 strikeouts compared to just one walk.

Lambert (0-1) took the loss after allowing two runs on two hits across three innings during Thursday's 5-1 loss to the Mariners. He walked one and struck out one.

Lambert gave up a two-run home run to Jarred Kelenic in the second inning but didn't allow a baserunner in his other two frames. As expected, he only threw 49 pitches and will likely have a similar workload during his next outing while he ramps up his conditioning following a shortened spring training. Lucas Giolito (abdominal) was placed on the injured list Tuesday, and Lambert is expected to continue drawing short spot starts in the ace's absence, though Giolito said recently that he's feeling much better than he did after initially suffering the injury.