MLB Player News

  • Jose Soriano SP | LAA

    Angels' Jose Soriano: Fires triple-digit heat in relief

    Soriano earned a hold against Baltimore on Sunday, allowing one hit and two walks while striking out two batters over three scoreless innings.

    Soriano was initially tabbed to stretch out as a starter during spring camp, but he ultimately made the Opening Day roster as a reliever due to Robert Stephenson's shoulder injury. Soriano entered in the sixth inning in his season debut Sunday and successfully bridged the gap between starter Reid Detmers and closer Carlos Estevez with three scoreless frames. Per Statcast, Soriano averaged 100.4 mph on his 12 four-seam fastballs and 98.2 mph on his 19 sinkers, and he went to his curveball just three times. That's a turnaround from last year, when the curve was the right-hander's most prominent pitch, as he threw it 41.2 percent of the time. Soriano has the arsenal to thrive as either a starter or reliever, with walks being his primary flaw last season -- he posted a 12.4 percent walk rate to somewhat offset his excellent 30.3 percent strikeout rate.

  • Brendan White RP | SEA

    Tigers' Brendan White: Whiffs batter in Triple-A debut

    White (elbow) struck out the lone batter he faced Sunday in Triple-A Toledo's 12-0 loss to Nashville.

    White hadn't made any spring appearances before the Tigers optioned him to minor-league camp March 8, but he was able to face three batters last Tuesday in an exhibition with the Rays to guarantee his availability for the start of the minor-league season.

  • White Sox's Prelander Berroa: Hit hard in Triple-A debut

    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.

  • Mitch White RP | MIL

    Blue Jays' Mitch White: Notches win 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.

  • Rays' Tyler Alexander: Struggles in bulk-relief role

    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.

  • Jason Foley RP | SF

    Tigers' Jason Foley: Earns second save

    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.

  • Cole Sands RP | MIN

    Twins' Cole Sands: Gives up homer in season debut

    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.

  • Twins' Kody Funderburk: Not sharp in season debut

    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.

  • Rays' Shawn Armstrong: Earns loss as opener

    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.

  • Rangers' Yerry Rodriguez: Throws two scoreless

    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.

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