MLB Player News

Hand surrendered three runs (none earned) on a hit and three walks while recording both his outs via strikeout in Thursday's 3-1 loss to the Rockies.

Hand was shaky in this one, walking three of the first five batters he faced. His defense didn't help him out either, though that allowed all three of his runs to stay off his ledger. Still, that's now two rough outings through four appearances from the closer. Manager Andy Green expressed confidence in the 28-year-old after the game, stating that, "he's a guy we believe in a lot and will continue to believe in a lot," according to Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune. Receiving that vote of confidence should ease the thoughts of those who own Hand for saves, but the southpaw will have to turn things around quickly in order to restore his status as one of the game's top closers.

Hearn is opening the year in the rotation at Double-A Altoona, MLB.com's Jonathan Mayo reports.

He has some flaws, but 6-foot-5 lefties with upper-90s fastballs are tough to find, so Hearn should have no problem reaching the big leagues in some capacity. The 23-year-old notched a 3.41 FIP in 87.1 innings at High-A last season. If he can improve his command and his breaking ball, there's a chance he could be an effectively wild starter, but the most likely scenario is that he ends up as a high-leverage reliever, as his fastball would regularly hit triple-digits out of the bullpen.

Garcia could join the rotation when the Marlins next need a fifth starter Wednesday, the Marlins' official site reports.

Garcia was a candidate to be part of the Marlins' rotation this spring, but he ended up opening the year in the bullpen. His two relief appearances this season have lasted six and four innings, which leaves him stretched out to start when the Marlins next need a fifth starter. Odrisamer Despaigne could also be a candidate for the start. Garcia has an unremarkable 4.26 ERA across 63.1 innings of work in the majors, all in relief, but in a pitcher-friendly home park he could be a potential streaming option against the right opponent.

Leone fired 1.1 scoreless innings in Thursday's 3-1 loss to the Diamondbacks, allowing two hits and recording a pair of strikeouts.

He notched four outs on an efficient 18 pitches, 13 of which found the strike zone. Leone has sandwiched a pair of scoreless efforts around a ragged appearance against the Brewers on Tuesday in which he blew a save opportunity by allowing two earned runs on three hits over 1.1 innings. With projected closer Greg Holland still set to tune up in the minors for a few games before making his 2018 debut, Leone may be afforded an additional save chance or two in the next week or so before likely reverting to a setup role.

Hicks has thrown the eight fastest pitches of the season so far, MLB.com reports.

Hicks was a surprise addition to the Cardinals' major-league roster despite never throwing above High-A in his professional career. With the hardest fastball in the league, however, it's easy to see why the Cardinals wanted him on the team right away. He's peaked at 101.6 mph and has thrown eight pitches harder than the hardest one thrown by anyone else (100.8 mph by Aroldis Chapman). Oddly, that fastball has translated into a rather pedestrian 21.4 percent strikeout rate through his first four appearances, though hitters haven't been able to square him up, hitting just .154 so far, and he's yet to give up a run. His incredible velocity makes him look like a prime closer candidate down the road, though he's currently not near the top of the Cardinals' closer depth chart.

Coonrod isn't expected to pitch in 2018 after undergoing Tommy John surgery, MLB.com reports.

Coonrod had an 8.2 K/9 at Double-A last season but with a 3.7 BB/9 and 4.69 ERA. The 2014 fifth-round draft pick may see his career stall in the minors as he'll be 25 when he returns from surgery.

Suter (1-1) took the loss against the Cubs on Thursday, giving up five runs (four earned) on eight hits, striking out five and walking three in Milwaukee's 8-0 blowout defeat.

Suter got the win on the strength of his offense in his first start of the season against the Padres, but he struggled in this one. He only had 102.4 big-league innings to his name coming into this season, and while his 3.37 ERA in that time is nothing to sneeze at, his shaky pair of outings to start 2018 make him a risky fantasy option until he displays some consistency.

Boxberger tallied his third save of the season in Thursday's 3-1 win over the Cardinals, striking out one without allowing a baserunner in a scoreless ninth inning.

Boxberger still has yet to allow a run this season, but the most encouraging aspect of this outing was the lack of walks after he issued four in his first three innings of the season. If he continues to pitch this well and rack up the saves, Boxberger's role as the ninth-inning man in Arizona should remain a secure one.

Pivetta struck out nine and did not issue a walk across 5.2 scoreless innings to earn a win Thursday against the Marlins.

Pivetta took advantage of a positive matchup against the Marlins and helped the Phillies win their home opener Thursday. After only working only four innings in his season debut, Pivetta was nearly able to record a quality start but was pulled after throwing 97 pitches. His ability to rack up strikeouts -- he recorded 140 in 133 innings last season -- is intriguing but it remains to be seen if he can consistently post solid ratios as he did Thursday, as the Marlins figure to be one of the worst offenses in the league this season.

Hader is a candidate to close in Corey Knebel's absence, but manager Craig Counsell has yet to decide on a replacement closer, Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reports.

Knebel suffered a hamstring injury that will require a DL stint, which leaves the ninth inning open for the Brewers until at least mid-to-late April. Hader, who brings a mid-90s fastball from the left side, has been untouchable in his three innings this season, notching seven strikeouts and allowing just two baserunners and no earned runs. The Brewers have other candidates with more experience, however, including Jacob Barnes and Jeremy Jeffress. Counsell's plan for the ninth inning should come into focus over the next few games, but Hader would seemingly be in the mix for save opportunities.