MLB Player News

Colome recorded a blown save in Thursday's extra-inning loss against the Brewers. He allowed three runs (none earned) on two hits in the ninth inning.

Colome was handed the task of closing out the first game of the season, but he failed miserably, allowing an RBI single to Christian Yelich and a two-run double to Travis Shaw -- the latter with two outs. This surely wasn't the start to the season that Colome wanted, especially since he'll be competing for the closer role with Taylor Rogers, who tossed a scoreless inning Thursday.

Norris worked around a hit and walk to pitch 1.1 scoreless innings and record a hold in Thursday's win over Cleveland. He struck out one.

Norris got the last out of the seventh, then worked the eighth before handing the game over to Gregory Soto. A former starter, Norris pitched multiple innings in all but one of his 14 appearances in 2020, and he kicked off 2021 by giving the Tigers valuable length in a game they won by a run. That makes the lefty a valuable option for new manager A.J. Hinch, though it won't translate into much fantasy value outside of leagues that count holds.

Cisnero pitched a scoreless inning with two strikeouts to record a hold in Thursday's win over Cleveland.

Cisnero was the first Detroit reliever to appear in the game, coming on for Matthew Boyd with two outs in the sixth. The righty breezed through his three batters on 14 pitches and handed things over to Daniel Norris. Gregory Soto recorded the save but also allowed two runs in the process. Soto should continue to get the first crack at the closer's role early in the season, but Cisnero could be an option at some point if the former hits a rough patch or goes down with an injury.

Diekman is a primary candidate to see save opportunities in the wake of Trevor Rosenthal's (shoulder) placement on the 10-day injured list Thursday, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

The veteran southpaw enjoyed a dominant spring that was essentially a microcosm of his stellar 2020 campaign, with Diekman sporting an unblemished ERA and issuing just one walk across six otherwise clean innings (six appearances) in Cactus League play. Diekman failed to convert the only save opportunity he logged last season, but he posted 13 holds with a 0.42 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and 31 strikeouts across 21.1 innings.

Graveman is the likeliest next man up for closing opportunities if Rafael Montero falters in the ninth-inning role, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.

Graveman is presently producing some of the highest velocity readings of his career. He got his feet wet in the bullpen last season, and he'll remain a reliever in 2021. The veteran right-hander is projected primarily for eighth-inning duty to start the campaign, but his overall experience and ability to miss bats make him a potentially strong candidate for the highest-leverage scenarios if Montero doesn't prove to be up to the task.

Merryweather struck out three over a perfect inning to earn the save against the Yankees on Thursday.

Merryweather entered in the bottom of the 10th inning on Opening Day after the Blue Jays took a one-run lead in the top of the frame. The right-hander needed just 11 pitches to strike out the side and pick up his first major-league save. Nonetheless, Jordan Romano pitched the ninth and should serve as the primary closer for the Blue Jays this season.

Romano (1-0) allowed two walks while striking out two over one hitless, scoreless inning to earn the win against the Yankees on Thursday.

Romano came on with the game tied in the ninth inning, and he picked up the win after the Blue Jays scored the go-ahead run in the top of the 10th. The right-hander should serve as the primary closer for Toronto this year with Kirby Yates (elbow) out for the season.

Soto allowed two runs on two hits and a walk in the ninth inning to earn the save against Cleveland in Thursday's season opener.

Soto entered with a three-run lead, but he gave up a two-run homer with one out in the frame. He then issued a two-out walk to Ben Gamel, but Soto remained in the game and forced a flyout to secure the Opening Day save. Soto should serve as Detroit's primary closer to begin the regular season, but Bryan Garcia and Jose Cisnero could compete for save chances if he struggles.

Rodriguez (ankle) landed on the 10-day injured list Thursday.

Rodriguez is expected to miss roughly the first two weeks of the season while he works his way back from an ankle sprain. Once healthy, he could potentially push for save opportunities in a ninth inning that appears to be wide open following Jose Leclerc's Tommy John surgery.

Burke (shoulder) was placed on the 10-day injured list Thursday.

Burke is still working his way back from the shoulder surgery he underwent back in February of last year. It's not clear when he's expected to return.