MLB Player News

Clarke allowed three runs on three hits while striking out three over 2.1 innings of relief in Tuesday's 7-5 loss to the Athletics.

With Zac Gallen coming off the injured list to make his first start of the season, the Diamondbacks were cautious with his pitch count, so Clarke entered in the fifth inning with Arizona leading 5-1. He set down six straight A's before tiring in the seventh, spoiling Gallen's debut. For Clarke, it was was his fifth appearance and second in which he was required to threw more than an inning. He's been bypassed for a possible rotation spot twice already, by Taylor Widener and Riley Smith, so middle/long-relief may be his lot for the season.

Neris (0-1) took the loss and blew his first save of the season in the first game of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Mets, giving up two runs (one earned) on three hits and a walk while recording only one out.

The Phillies took a 3-2 lead in the top of the eighth inning, but the bad version of Neris showed up in the bottom half of the frame. The right-hander threw only 13 of 22 pitches for strikes, eventually serving up a bases-loaded walkoff single to Jonathan Villar. Neris hadn't allowed a run in five appearances coming into Tuesday, and on the season he still sports a 1.69 ERA and 5:3 K:BB through six innings.

Strop (1-0) worked around a hit and a walk to pitch a scoreless inning of relief and earn the win Tuesday against the Brewers. He struck out one.

Strop picked up his first win since July 19, 2019, as he only pitched 2.1 innings in the majors last year for the Reds. The veteran was added to the Cubs' roster Monday as a replacement player with three relievers placed on the COVID-19 injured list. The win is a nice moment for the fan favorite, but Strop doesn't hold a ton of fantasy value in his current role.

Kimbrel pitched 1.1 scoreless innings to record the save in Tuesday's 3-2 win over the Brewers. He walked one and struck out one.

It's been smooth sailing so far for Kimbrel, who has started the season with six scoreless innings, 10 strikeouts and three saves across five appearances. If the veteran reliever can keep this up, he'll be an invaluable fantasy asset, particularly considering his low cost of acquisition in this spring's drafts. He's coming off a pair of rough seasons, but Kimbrel turned things around down the stretch last year, and it certainly looks like he's carrying that success forward.

Ponce de Leon will pitch out of the bullpen going forward and will be available in that role Tuesday against the Nationals, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

Ponce de Leon can't really complain about the move, as he owns an 11.37 ERA, 2.21 WHIP and a 3:5 K:BB through two starts. He pitched most recently Sunday against the Brewers, lasting just 1.1 innings, so he should be ready to pitch again soon. Kwang Hyun Kim (back) will return to the starting rotation Saturday against the Phillies.

Webb (0-1) was charged with the loss in Monday's game against the Marlins after surrendering two runs (one earned) on three hits in the 10th inning.

It did not take long for Webb to see some action after he was called up to the active roster Saturday. Unfortunately, Webb's first outing of 2021 was not great. The first three batters he faced notched hits against him, allowing the go-ahead runs to score. While he was able to retire the next three batters and limit the damage, he was still left with the loss. The 27-year-old has previously shown some ability to be a bullpen contributor, compiling a 1.06 ERA and 38:17 K:BB across 42.1 innings for Atlanta in 2019 and 2020.

Garcia (1-1) picked up the win Monday in the Marlins' 5-3 extra-inning victory over Atlanta, walking one and striking out one in 1.1 scoreless innings of relief.

The right-hander entered the game with two outs and two runners on in the ninth inning. After understandably pitching around Ronald Acuna to load the bases, Garcia got Ozzie Albies to ground out. He then shut down the middle of Atlanta's order in the 10th after Miami took the lead. Garcia's had a solid start to the season, posting a 1.42 ERA, 0.79 WHIP and 5:3 K:BB through 6.1 innings with one save and two holds, and as long as he remains effective, he should be the Marlins' first option for save chances going forward.

The Phillies recalled Howard (back) from their taxi squad and designated him as the 27th man for Tuesday's doubleheader with the Mets, Matt Breen of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Howard's bid for a spot in the Phillies' Opening Day rotation was foiled by a bout of back spasms in mid-March, but he appears to have returned to full health since the conclusion of spring training. Philadelphia will continue to develop Howard as a starter, but he'll be available out of the bullpen for the twin bill before likely returning to the alternate site.

Gallegos allowed an earned run on one hit over two innings while recording one strikeout in a loss to the Nationals on Monday.

Gallegos was called upon for his second multi-inning assignment of the campaign and responded with a solid effort that was marred only by a solo home run. The right-hander hadn't been scored upon in his first four appearances and already boasts two wins and holds apiece, giving him solid fantasy value for a reliever in a non-closing role.

Sims earned his first save of the season in a 3-0 win over the Giants on Monday, striking out the only batter he faced.

Sims entered with a man on second and two outs in the ninth. The 26-year-old did his job, as he struck out Evan Longoria to end the game. The Reds haven't really established a clear-cut closer just yet, as Sims and Amir Garrett have had two save chances apiece through the first 10 games of the year. Sims is now 1-for-2 on save opportunities; he surrendered a game-tying two-run homer against the Diamondbacks on April 9. He's been perfect otherwise and currently owns a 4.91 ERA and 6:1 K:BB across 3.2 innings.