MLB Player News

Jansen struck out one in a perfect inning of work to earn his first save of the season in Wednesday's 3-1 win over the Padres.

Jansen looked sharp in his first appearance of the year and needed just eight pitches, seven of which went for strikes, to retire the side. He has developed into one of the most dominant closers in the game and appears set to provide immense fantasy returns once again in 2017.

Moore (0-1) gave up six runs -- just three earned -- on eight hits and two walks in Wednesday's 8-6 loss to Arizona.

Things were going reasonably well through four innings, as he held a 4-1 lead entering the bottom of the fifth, but the lefty totally unraveled from there, although his defense certainly didn't help him out. Moore did show improvement in ERA and strikeouts after coming over to San Francisco last summer, but he was burned by erratic control, which has been an issue throughout his career. He wasn't set up for success in this one -- pitching in Arizona against that offense is no easy task -- but Moore should show better results as the season goes on, especially in the pitcher-friendly confines of AT&T Park.

Rodney struck out one in a perfect ninth inning against the Giants on Wednesday, netting his first save of 2017.

The veteran closer picked up a win despite giving up a run on Opening Day, but he came back in fine form Wednesday. Rodney certainly isn't setting fantasy owners' hearts racing at age 40, but he's got a boatload of closing experience and essentially no challengers for the role in Arizona. The D-Backs aren't known for playing tons of close games, so his save chances may be limited to some degree, and Rodney's high-WHIP ways will probably result in some blowups, but he's an underrated fantasy asset nonetheless.

Iglesias gave up a hit and struck out two in a scoreless ninth inning Wednesday to pick up his first save of the year in a 2-0 win over the Phillies.

The Reds' nominal closer has looked good through his first couple of appearances this season after missing the latter part of training camp due to an elbow bruise. If Iglesias continues racking up saves and strikeouts, he should build up plenty of job security in an otherwise unsettled bullpen.

Montero (0-1) gave up two runs on three hits and three walks over 1.2 innings Wednesday, suffering a loss to the Braves in extra innings.

After creating a mess in the 11th and then wriggling out of it, Montero absolutely imploded in the 12th inning, loading the bases before giving up a two-run double to Matt Kemp. Once a credible rotation prospect for the Mets, Montero is distinctly a bullpen arm at the age of 25 -- in fact, Wednesday was his birthday. Look for him to work low-leverage innings in relief this year.

Treinen gave up a run on two hits while striking out two in the ninth inning Wednesday, recording his second save of the season in a 6-4 win over the Marlins.

Neither ball was particularly hard hit, as Dee Gordon smacked a grounder up the middle for a single and was offered no resistance when he stole second, only for J.T. Realmuto to squib a ball into shallow right field with two outs to bring Gordon home. Treinen then buckled down and struck out Christian Yelich on four pitches to end the game. The right-hander has looked impressive through the early going as the Nats' closer, and his confidence should be growing with each successful save.

Hand tossed a clean inning in Tuesday's 4-0 win over the Dodgers.

The veteran lefty needed just 11 pitches to set down the top of the Dodgers' order in the ninth inning, sealing the win for San Diego. It wasn't a save situation, but Hand should see a handful of hold opportunities after posting career-best numbers as a reliever last season (2.92 ERA, 111 strikeouts and 21 holds).

Kontos will be used in later innings against lefty-heavy portions of opponents' lineups, CSN Bay Area reports.

Manager Bruce Bochy said that the veteran pitcher will be used in the seventh inning of games, a larger role than he has assumed for the Giants in the past. The right-hander has fairly even career splits against both righties and lefties, making him an unconventional option to replace the injured Will Smith (elbow) as the club's "left-handed" setup man. Kontos excelled in his first test, setting down David Peralta, Paul Goldschmidt and Jake Lamb in a clean inning Tuesday. The increased role should result in a slight uptick in hold opportunities.

Minter (forearm) has resumed throwing and may join a minor-league team within a week, David O'Brien of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Minter was hampered by radial tunnel syndrome throughout spring camp and was eventually shut down after being reassigned to Double-A Mississippi. The 23-year-old reliever posted solid numbers in the minors last season -- his first action since returning from Tommy John surgery in 2015. The righty could be in line for a late-season promotion if his success continues into 2017.

Webb has signed a minor-league deal with the Giants and will report to Triple-A Sacramento, Steve Adams of MLB Trade Rumors reports.

The 31-year-old was released by the Brewers last week after making just three appearances in spring training. Webb spent most of last season in the Rays' organization, where he posted a 5.19 ERA and a 1.73 WHIP over 18 relief appearances. He'll likely be limited to serving as organizational depth before having another shot at the majors.