MLB Player News

Santillan earned a save against Atlanta on Thursday, pitching a perfect ninth inning during which he struck out two batters.

The Reds' closer situation was murky enough heading into the regular season, and it becomes even more complicated with Santillan -- who wasn't generally considered among the prime candidates for ninth-inning duties -- picking up the team's first save. Manager David Bell indicated in late March that the right-hander was even being considered for a spot in the starting rotation, so the organization obviously values his versatility. It seems unlikely that Santillan would be handed full-time closer duties after one successful outing, though he handled the role with aplomb Thursday, throwing 11 of 15 pitches for strikes and retiring the side in order. There will no doubt be plenty of Thursday night FAAB bids placed on the hurler based on his Opening Day performance, but managers would be wise to reign in expectations for what remains an unsettled bullpen situation in Cincinnati.

Diaz was designated for assignment Thursday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Diaz made 20 appearances out of the bullpen for the Mets last season, though he was late to spring training due to visa issues. As a result, he failed to make the Opening Day roster. Adonis Medina was added to the 40-man roster in the corresponding move.

Medina was traded by the Pirates to the Mets on Thursday in exchange for cash considerations, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Medina was designated for assignment by the Pirates on Wednesday, and he'll now join his third team since December. Medina was once a well-regarded prospect while in Philadelphia's organization, though he has struggled to produce in the upper levels of the minor leagues. He will start the 2022 season with Triple-A Syracuse.

Robertson worked around a hit to pitch a scoreless inning and earn the save in Thursday's win over the Brewers.

It was Robertson, not Rowan Wick, who got the first save opportunity of 2022 for the Cubs. Wick, who entered camp as the presumptive closer, was called on in the eighth inning. Manager David Ross may mix and match at the end of the game, so this will be a situation worth monitoring. The 36-year-old Robertson would obviously see a big spike in fantasy value if he keeps seeing regular save opportunities.

The Marlins have cleared Hernandez (forearm) to start Monday's road game against the Angels, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Hernandez was forced to exit his final start of spring training prematurely after he was hit in his throwing arm by a line drive. However, the issue won't cost him any time to begin the regular season. Hernandez has regularly been sidelined by injury early in his career, though he has shown significant promise across the last two campaigns by posting an 87:19 K:BB across a combined 77.1 frames.

Manager Don Mattingly said Thursday that Bender is Miami's "go-to-guy" in the ninth inning to start the season, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Dylan Floro is officially on the injured list due to shoulder tendinitis, which has opened the door for Bender to take over the closer's role. However, there is plenty of competition in the Miami bullpen, highlighted by Anthony Bass and Richard Bleier as well as the recently added Cole Sulser. With multiple options to turn to in the ninth inning, Bender will have to perform well if he hopes to maintain save chances while Floro is sidelined.

Manager Bob Melvin confirmed that Rogers will serve as the Padres' closer to start the season, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

It was the expectation that Rogers would serve as the closer in San Diego after the team acquired him Thursday from the Twins, and Melvin did not hesitate in making it official. Rogers should get plenty of opportunity early on, as the team has made several big moves in the latter portions of the offseason, highlighted by the acquisition of Sean Manaea and Luke Voit. Rogers has been at least a part-time closer since the 2019 season, picking up a combined 48 saves with a 3.06 ERA across 121 appearances.

Underwood was removed from Thursday's game against the Cardinals due to right hamstring discomfort, Justice delos Santos of MLB.com reports.

Underwood entered Thursday's Opening Day matchup in the bottom of the sixth inning, but he was removed after allowing a run while failing to record an out with 10 pitches. It's not yet clear whether the right-hander's injury will force him to miss additional time, but he'll be able to rest during Friday's scheduled off day.

The Marlins placed Floro (shoulder) on the 10-day injured list Thursday with right rotator cuff tendinitis, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Floro's shoulder issue kept him behind the Marlins' other relievers in spring training and ultimately prevented him from making the Opening Day roster, but manager Don Mattingly said Monday that he doesn't expect the righty to be sidelined for long, according to Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald. Floro has thrown multiple bullpen sessions in the past week, so he could soon be ready to face hitters. After that, he likely may only need a couple of minor-league rehab appearances or simulated game appearances before the Marlins feel comfortable bringing him back from the IL. Before the injury cropped up, Floro was a candidate to close for the Marlins, who are likely to take a committee approach to save situations early on during the season.

Phillips is one of 16 pitchers on the Dodgers' Opening Day roster.

Phillips pitched only 13.1 big-league innings during the 2021 regular season, but he was impressive in two NLCS appearances against Atlanta, tossing three scoreless frames during which he struck out six batters. The right-hander struggled in Cactus League play this year, allowing four runs on eight hits and two walks over 3.1 innings, but the Dodgers elected to give him a spot in their Opening Day bullpen. He'll likely fill a low-leverage role to begin the campaign.