MLB Player News

Berroa (shoulder) recorded one out and was charged with five earned runs on four hits and one walk Friday in Triple-A Charlotte's 6-5 loss to Memphis.

Berroa wasn't able to make any Cactus League appearances after March 11 due to a right shoulder injury, but despite missing out on a spot on the White Sox's Opening Day roster, he was deemed healthy enough to begin the season in the Triple-A bullpen. The 23-year-old right-hander could eventually build momentum for a promotion to the big leagues and might fill a key late-inning role for the White Sox down the road, but no call-up should be viewed as imminent after his disastrous showing Friday in his season debut. He spotted just 12 of his 21 pitches for strikes and served up two home runs en route to taking the loss in relief.

White (1-0) picked up the win Sunday against the Rays, allowing just one walk over three scoreless, hitless relief innings without striking out a batter.

While he wasn't dominant, the 29-year-old right-hander was effective after taking over from Kevin Gausman with one out in the fifth inning as he recorded his first win in the majors since May 17, 2022. White tossed 32 of 47 pitches for strikes but generated only three swinging strikes, relying on weak contact and good defense to get the job done. He won't be available for a few days after the extended outing, but Wes Parsons is also available for long-relief duties in the Toronto bullpen in the meantime.

Alexander allowed five runs on six hits and two walks over five innings during Sunday's loss to the Blue Jays. He struck out four.

Alexander struggled as he served as the bulk reliever for the Rays. It was Shawn Armstrong who was saddled with the loss, but Alexander unofficially earned that distinction with a poor performance that saw him serve up two home runs as part of the five runs he allowed.

Foley was perfect in two-thirds of an inning Sunday against the White Sox to earn his second save of the season.

Foley appears to have won the closer role in Detroit, closing out his second game of the series sweep over the White Sox. While presumed closer Alex Lange struggled with his command in his first appearance Saturday, allowing three walks while earning one out, Foley has retired all four batters he's faced to seemingly solidify his hold on the job.

Sands gave up a run over two innings with two strikeouts, no walks and a home run allowed in Sunday's blowout loss at Kansas City.

Sands made the major-league roster as a long reliever. He shuffled between Triple-A and the majors multiple times last season, working in a long-relief role with the Twins. He posted a respectable 3.74 ERA, but it was accompanied by an 8.7 K/9 and 5.5 BB/9. At least he didn't allow any walks in his first outing.

Funderburk gave up a run over 1.2 innings with a strikeout, walk and home run allowed in Sunday's loss to Kansas City.

Funderburk wasn't sharp during the outing as he also had an error and a balk. He made the roster as the second lefty in the bullpen, but he'll likely be used in low-leverage spots initially like in Sunday's loss.

Armstrong (0-1) picked up the loss Sunday, allowing two runs (one earned) on three hits and one walk over one inning. He struck out one.

Armstrong served as the opener for the Rays on Sunday, allowing two runs to cross in his one inning of work. While he allowed the first three batters to reach base, leading to the first run of the game on a Justin Turner single, the second run was set up by a passed ball and is the reason Armstrong ended up as the pitcher of record.

Rodriguez allowed one hit and two walks (one intentional) while striking out two over two scoreless innings in Sunday's 9-5 loss to the Cubs.

Rodriguez breezed through the seventh inning before working out of a bases-loaded, two-out jam. The right-hander has legitimate heat with a fastball that averaged 97.5 mph and topped out at 98.5. Rodriguez, who had command issues (4.0 BB/9) in 13 games for the Rangers in 2023, showed improvement in that area during spring training. The 26-year-old could be a weapon in the bullpen if he can locate his pitches with consistency.

Barlow (0-1) took the loss Sunday versus the Athletics, allowing a run on two hits and a walk over one-plus innings while striking out one.

Barlow pitched a perfect eighth inning but allowed three straight baserunners aboard to start the ninth. Eli Morgan then walked the only batter he faced, which forced in the decisive run. It's not unusual for Barlow to be tasked with getting more than three outs at a time, so his usage Sunday isn't particularly noteworthy. The big concern here is that he's allowed two runs and walked three batters over two innings to begin the season. Barlow is projected to be a setup man to closer Emmanuel Clase, but he could lose those assignments if he can't get on track quickly. Morgan and Nick Sandlin are also experienced relievers who could be in the mix for high-leverage work.

Leclerc (0-1) took the loss Sunday, allowing four runs on one hit and three walks over two-thirds of an inning against the Cubs.

It wasn't a save situation, but it was a troubling performance that recalled Texas' bullpen struggles of 2023, when Leclerc lost the closer's job early on. Leclerc, who's had an issue with free passes during his career, walked a run in Sunday and has walked five over 1.2 innings thus far. The Rangers' closer has allowed runs in each of his first two outings. He was the victim of an incorrect call by an umpire Opening Day, but Sunday was all on him.