MLB Player News

Chapman pitched a perfect inning in the Yankees' 11-inning win over Boston on Friday, striking out two.

Chapman was summoned in the top of the ninth inning and tasked with keeping the game tied, and he did so with aplomb, throwing eight of 12 pitches for strikes and whiffing two batters in the perfect frame. It was a positive debut for the veteran fireballer after he endured one of the least effective campaigns of his career last season, though he still managed 30 saves in 34 chances. Chapman should earn the vast majority of save opportunities for the Yankees again this season and remains a stable fantasy closer despite being on the downswing of his career.

Manager Charlie Montoyo said Pearson (illness) will soon resume light throwing, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

After missing time with mononucleosis, Pearson won't have a quick buildup, but he is finally starting to feel better. There is no timetable for him to join the big-league bullpen, but his return to the active roster could happen later this month.

Sborz allowed three runs on three hits and one walk while striking out one over one inning in Friday's 10-8 loss to Toronto.

John King and Sborz combined for 1.2 ineffective innings of relief, after Texas built a 7-3 lead entering the fifth inning. The Blue Jays kicked off their rally with a two-out walk issued by King and ended when Teoscar Hernandez stung Sborz with a three-run home run. The righty reliever remained in to start the sixth inning and was responsible for a runner that scored after reaching base on yet another two-out free pass. Sborz is projected for high-leverage relief work, but his first outing did not go as planned.

Romano struck out two in a perfect ninth inning Friday to record his first save of the season in a 10-8 win over the Rangers.

It didn't look like Toronto's closer would get in any work when the team fell behind 7-0 in the early going, but Romano wound up finishing out the largest comeback by a team on its Opening Day in 72 years. The right-hander is the clear top dog in the Blue Jays' bullpen after racking up 23 saves in 24 attempts with a 2.14 ERA and 33.6 percent strikeout rate in 2021.

Strahm allowed one walk and struck out one over two-thirds of an inning in Friday's 6-5 extra-innings loss to the Yankees.

Straham entered with one out in the eighth inning after DJ LeMahieu mashed a Garrett Whitlock fastball over the fence to even the score at 4-4. For those looking to read the tea leaves in Boston's bullpen, which does not yet have a closer, it was interesting to see Strahm warming up while Whitlock started his third inning of work to begin the eighth. Would manager Alex Cora have turned to the left-hander had Whitlock held the lead after the eighth? Or was Strahm brought in because Matt Barnes (back) wasn't available? The manager wasn't tipping his hand after the game, but it seems that Strahm will be a trusted member of the endgame for Cora. The 30-year-old reliever impressed in spring training with three hits allowed and five strikeouts over three scoreless innings.

Robles allowed a hit and an intentional walk while striking out two over one inning in Friday's 6-5 extra-innings loss to the Yankees.

Robles entered the game in the ninth inning of a 4-4 game and worked out of a two-on jam by striking out Giancarlo Stanton on three pitches. The pitcher was a late arrival to camp and made just two Grapefruit League appearances before being added to the Opening Day roster. There had been some discussion about leaving him off the roster for a short period of time, but the Red Sox determined he was ready to pitch and, apparently, deserved usage in key situations. Boston manager Alex Cora has not named a closer, but it's clear Robles will be entrusted with important innings.

Oritz (undisclosed) was assigned to Low-A Delmarva on Friday and placed on the 7-day minor-league injured list, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

It's unclear what kind of injury the 19-year-old southpaw is dealing with. Ortiz allowed nine runs with a 17:6 K:BB in 14.2 innings in rookie ball last season.

Kittredge (1-0) allowed one hit and one walk while striking out one across a scoreless eighth inning to earn the win Friday against the Orioles.

Kittredge was among the candidates to close out games for the Rays once Pete Fairbanks (lat) was played on the injured list. While his exact usage is likely to fluctuate, Kittredge should serve in a consistent high-leverage role. He entered Friday's game in the eighth inning with the score tied at 1-1. After allowing two runners to reach base, Kittredge ultimately escaped from the jam and was able to earn the win as a result. One frame later Brooks Raley earned a one-out save, though J.P. Feyereisen was on the mound to begin the ninth inning.

Tate (0-1) allowed one run and one hit with one strikeout in an inning-plus of relief Friday, taking the loss versus the Rays.

Tate pitched a perfect seventh inning, but he allowed leadoff hitter Wander Franco to reach on a single to begin the eighth. Jorge Lopez then worked into a jam after taking over from Tate, who wound up being charged with the decisive run in the 2-1 loss. Both Tate and Lopez, as well as Paul Fry, are expected to compete for save chances early in the season, though the Orioles aren't expected to generate many late leads. Last season, Tate posted a 4.39 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 49:23 K:BB through 67.2 innings. He went 0-6 with three saves in five chances and seven holds.

Soto (1-0) allowed a run on a hit and a walk in one inning to earn the win over the White Sox on Friday.

Soto entered Friday's matchup with the score tied in the top of the ninth inning, and he gave up the lead via a solo home run with one out. However, he was able to earn the win when the Tigers rallied to score two runs in the bottom half of the frame. The southpaw made a career-high 62 appearances last year and converted 18 of 19 save chances while posting a 3.39 ERA and 1.35 WHIP in 63.2 innings. He has decent job security as the Tigers' closer to begin the 2022 campaign.