MLB Player News

Garcia is one of the top options for Miami's next save chance, Craig Mish of SportsGrid.com reports.

It sounds like Anthony Bass won't be getting the next save chance after blowing his first two chances of the season. Mish also mentions Dylan Floro as another top option to get save chances going forward. Garcia has given up one run while striking out three over four innings this season.

Gonzalez was credited with the hold Friday against Washington as the result of a perfect inning during which he struck out two batters.

Gonzalez threw nine of his 10 pitches for strikes in the spotless outing and induced a swing-and-miss on five of his offerings. The left-hander's three holds are tied for first in MLB, and he has posted a 3:1 K:BB across 2.2 frames covering four outings.

Bass seems to have lost the closer job in Miami, Craig Mish of SportsGrid.com reports.

Manager Don Mattingly said Bass has some things to work on and was non committal at best regarding the ninth inning, per Mish. Bass is 0-for-2 on save chances and has given up six earned runs in 2.1 innings through three appearances. Yimi Garcia and Dylan Floro are the top options for saves with Bass out of the role.

Manager Brian Snitker said he hopes to have Martin (finger) available for Saturday's game against the Phillies, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

Martin was throwing on the field Friday and Snitker said the team will know more later in the day. He has not appeared in a game since April 4 due to numbness in the fingers of his pitching hand. An MRI was not deemed necessary.

Hand was activated from the COVID-19 injured list Friday.

The veteran left-hander was caught up in the Nationals' COVID-19 outbreak that delayed the start of the season, but he only ended up being away from the team for a week as a close contact. Hand may need a day or two before being ready to pitch, but he should take over the closer's role now that he's cleared, relegating Daniel Hudson and Tanner Rainey to setup roles.

Floro has yet to give an earned run in 3.1 innings over four appearances this season, recording a 4:1 K:BB and one hold.

The right-hander has arguably been Miami's best reliever through the first week of the year. Floro's effectiveness stands in stark contrast to the struggles of closer Anthony Bass, and while manager Don Mattingly doesn't seem inclined to make a change in the ninth inning just yet, Floro is positioning himself to be in the saves mix if Bass does lose the job. Yimi Garcia (2.25 ERA, 3:2 K:BB in 4.0 IP) has been the Marlins' primary eighth-inning arm, however, and could be ahead of Floro in the pecking order for closer duties.

Garcia struck out one in a perfect eighth inning Thursday to record his second hold of the season.

Unfortunately for the Marlins, Anthony Bass blew his second save in the ninth. Garcia's been solid so far, posting a 2.25 ERA and 3:2 K:BB through four innings in four appearances, and his usage suggests he would be the next man up at closer if Bass gets removed from the role. Dylan Floro (0.00 ERA, 4:1 in 3.1 IP) has been more effective in the early going than Garcia, however, and could also be in the mix if the team looks for another ninth-inning option.

Bass received a vote of confidence from Marlins manager Don Mattingly after blowing his second save of the season Thursday, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports. "I definitely think it's too early to make a judgment on that [changing closers]," Mattingly said after Thursday's loss. "Anthony's got good stuff. He's going to be fine."

While the right-hander's second loss of the season came in controversial fashion after Michael Conforto allowed himself to be hit by a pitch in the strike zone to force in the winning run, Bass had already blown the save by serving up a Jeff McNeil solo homer, not to mention loading the bases to set the stage for Conforto's walkoff HBP. Despite Mattingly's patience, Bass doesn't have the kind of track record that would give him plenty of leeway, and he'll need to turn things around quickly to hang onto ninth-inning duties.

Ginkel (illness) allowed one hit over a scoreless inning in Thursday's 7-4 loss to Colorado.

Ginkel was unavailable for a game earlier this week with manager Torey Lovullo saying the reliever was "under the weather." Arizona's unsettled bullpen could use some stability, and Ginkel has not yet been scored upon in four appearances, spanning 3.1 innings.

Bass (0-2) allowed two earned runs on three hits and a walk while also hitting a batter to blow the save and take the loss Thursday against the Mets.

Bass entered the game in the bottom of the ninth inning and was tasked with protecting a 2-1 lead. He quickly squandered that, surrendering a leadoff home run to Jeff McNeil. After recording one out, Bass allowed the next three batters to reach base before he hit Michael Conforto with a pitch to force in the winning run. Though there was controversy surrounding Conforto's plate appearance -- he appeared to lean into the strike zone to ensure he was hit by the ball -- Bass pitched poorly for the second time in three appearances this season. While a change at closer may not occur yet, Yimi Garcia or Dylan Floro could start to see save chances if Bass continues to struggle.