MLB Player News

Smith struck out the side in a perfect ninth inning during Thursday's extra-inning loss to the Phillies.

With Atlanta on the road, manager Brian Snitker elected to turn to his closer in a tie game against the top of Philadelphia's order rather than hold Smith back for a possible save situation later. The veteran southpaw responded by fanning Andrew McCutchen, Rhys Hoskins and Bryce Harper on only 14 pitches. Atlanta's bullpen depth will allow Sntiker to deploy Smith outside of closing situations on occasion, but he will be the team's primary relief weapon and should see the bulk of the save chances.

Underwood struck out the side in a perfect fourth inning during Thursday's 5-3 win over the Cubs.

Underwood holds a career 7.9 K/9 while working predominantly as a starter in the minors, but his pitches have played up as a reliever in the big leagues and he has a 11/1 K/9 in 37.1 MLB innings following Thursday's appearance. Pittsburgh currently envisions using Underwood as a multi-inning reliever. Acquired from the Cubs in early March, the 26-year-old could get a look as a starter if he continues to pitch well given the uncertainty in the Pirates' rotation.

Bednar pitched a scoreless inning in a 5-3 win over the Cubs on Thursday. He struck out two without allowing a hit or walk en route to his first hold.

The righty appeared in the seventh inning to protect a 5-2 lead, ahead of Chris Stratton (eighth inning) and Rich Rodriguez (ninth inning) with Kyle Crick (personal) away from the team. Bednar's fine outing represents a carryover from his impressive spring and while he didn't close out Thursday's game, he's definitely got closer-worthy stuff.

Kelly (shoulder) was placed on the 10-day injured list Thursday, retroactive to March 29.

Manager Dave Roberts announced last weekend the veteran right-hander would open the season on the injured list, though the move wasn't made official until the roster was finalized Thursday. Kelly is recovering from right shoulder inflammation and was throwing bullpen sessions toward the end of camp, but he had yet to progress to facing live hitters.

Graterol (undisclosed) was placed on the 60-day injured list Thursday.

The 22-year-old was held back throughout spring training, and he's now set to miss the first two months of the season. The official transaction wasn't accompanied by an injury designation, so the reason for the extended absence is unclear given Graterol was throwing bullpen sessions in March. Regardless, the right-hander won't be seeing major-league action until at least the start of June.

Bard allowed one hit, one walk and a hit batsman while striking out two in a scoreless ninth inning to earn a save Thursday against the Dodgers.

Bard was given a three-run lead in the ninth inning, but he allowed three of the first four batters he faced to reach base. However, he buckled down with the bases loaded, striking out Matt Beaty before inducing a weak line drive off the bat of Mookie Betts to end the game. Bard is the clear closer in Colorado and managed to convert his first save chance, but he'll need to control his pitches better to experience continued success.

Melancon didn't allow a baserunner in a scoreless ninth inning to earn the save Thursday against the Diamondbacks.

Melancon protected a one-run lead effectively, as he needed only seven pitches to induce a flyout and two groundouts to end the game. The closer role was in flux for the Padres entering the season, with Drew Pomeranz and Emilio Pagan also in the mix. However, Pagan pitched in the seventh inning and was followed by Pomeranz one frame later, offering the impression that Melancon may have the opportunity to claim save opportunities going forward.

Howard (1-0) earned the win in relief Thursday against the Cubs after striking out the side in a spotless inning.

Howard pitched the sixth inning of the season opener and was absolutely dominant -- he tossed nine of his 13 pitches for strikes. That said, the entire Pirates bullpen was lights out, allowing just one run across six frames between six hurlers. Howard is coming off the best season of his career in 2020, as he posted a 3.86 ERA with a career-best 1.24 WHIP across 21 innings (22 appearances).

Hader (1-0) earned the win in Thursday's extra-inning victory over the Twins. He tossed a perfect inning while striking out all three batters he faced.

Hader was absolutely dominant when called upon in the season opener, tossing nine of his 11 pitches for strikes in a masterful inning. He went 13-for-15 in save opportunities last season and should be one of the league's elite closers once again in 2021.

Flores was claimed off waivers by the Cardinals on Thursday.

Flores failed to break camp with the White Sox this year, but he'll find a spot on the Cardinals' 40-man roster. The southpaw posted a 4.15 ERA and 2.08 WHIP in 4.1 innings this spring and has been assigned to the Cardinals' alternate training site to begin the season.