MLB Player News

Hicks (0-1) took the loss after allowing two runs on three hits while failing to record an out Sunday against Milwaukee.

Hicks didn't fare well in his second outing of the season, giving up a leadoff double, followed by an infield single and a game-winning double to Christian Yelich, the reigning National League MVP. Hicks will aim to return to form in the Cardinals' upcoming series with the Pirates after blowing his first save chance of 2019.

Strop (0-1) took the loss after allowing a run on one hit and recording one out in Sunday's game against Texas.

Strop was called upon in the bottom of the ninth inning in a tied ballgame. However, after surrendering a leadoff double and a groundout to the right side of the infield to advance the runner to third, he bounced a pitch in front of home plate, allowing the game-winning run to cross the plate. The 33-year-old right-hander is off to a tough start to 2019 and has given up two runs across one inning (two appearances).

Jansen twirled a perfect ninth inning with one strikeout Sunday against Arizona to secure his first save.

Jansen has struck out a pair in two perfect innings in the early stages of 2019. Despite posting an ERA over 3.00 for the first time in his career last season, the 31-year-old is still one of the best closers in baseball.

Yates struck out one in a perfect ninth inning to earn his third save during Sunday's 3-1 win over the Giants.

Yates has notched a save in each of the San Diego's three wins to start the year, striking out five in three innings of work. He recorded a 12.9 K/9 last season and was a strong closer after Brad Hand was traded. With the Padres improving, Yates should be in line for plenty of save chances in 2019.

Hudson will have his next start skipped and instead pitch out of the bullpen, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Hudson was beaten up by the Brewers in his first start of the season, surrendering three earned runs in just 4.1 innings of work. As a result, and thanks to the Cardinals having three days off in the next 14 days, Hudson won't take his next turn in the rotation. That will leave Miles Mikolas, Jack Flaherty, Michael Wacha and Adam Wainwright as the four members of the team's rotation in the short term.

Edwards (0-1) was charged with the loss and a blown save Saturday against the Rangers. He allowed three runs on two hits (including a home run) and two walks while not recording an out.

It was a disastrous 2019 debut for Edwards, who came on in the eighth inning with the Cubs up 6-5. He promptly allowed a leadoff single to Elvis Andrus followed by a walk to Nomar Mazara. The big blow came next, as he served up a three-run bomb to Joey Gallo. Edwards has been good for the Cubs out of the bullpen the past few seasons, and better days figure to come.

Hicks debuted a changeup in a nine-pitch outing against the Brewers on Friday, Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com reports.

Hicks utilized the pitch twice with effectiveness during his appearance, as he logged swinging third strikes in both instances. The changeup checked in at 89 mph, making it quite the contrast for hitters compared to Hicks' 100 mph sinker. Hicks worked on the changeup throughout spring training, and it appears to now have officially joined his fastball, slider and aforementioned sinker as weapons in his arsenal as the team's primary closer.

Smith earned his first save of the season, setting the Padres down in order with two strikeouts in the ninth inning in a 3-2 victory Saturday.

The 29-year-old had one career save prior to 2018, but he converted 14 of 18 save opportunities once he became the Giants closer last June. He didn't yield a run during six innings this spring and looked sharp in his regular-season debut Saturday night.

Rodriguez (1-0) allowed two runs on four hits and zero walks while striking out two over five innings in a win over the Padres on Saturday..

Both runs Rodriguez yielded were inherited runners the bullpen allowed to score in the sixth. The only Padres baserunner in the first three innings came because of an error. Through five innings, Rodriguez had allowed just two hits and zero runs. It was a strong first outing for the 27-year-old looking to build upon his 6-4 record and 2.81 ERA from his rookie season last year.

Called on to protect a four-run lead in the ninth inning, Robertson gave up two runs on two hits and one walk over his inning against the Braves on Saturday.

Robertson permitted a two-run homer to Charlie Culberson but finished out the game without further damage to preserve an 8-6 win. The 33-year-old has given up three earned runs in his first two appearances of the season and will need to improve in order to get regular save chances.