MLB Player News

Alexander tossed a scoreless inning in Thursday's 4-2 loss to the Yankees. He allowed one hit and struck out one batter.

Alexander did not have to wait long to make his first appearance with the Brewers, and he kept the opponent at bay with Milwaukee trailing 4-1 heading into the bottom of the eighth inning. Alexander figures to primarily serve as a long reliever, but he did extend up to 70 pitches during spring training and could be a candidate for a spot start, as the Brewers opened the season with only three true traditional starting pitchers on the 26-man roster.

Strahm (shoulder) threw a clean 10th inning with one strikeout in Thursday's 7-3 extra-inning win over the Nationals.

Strahm was unable to make his scheduled appearance in Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Rays due left middle fingernail irritation, but he returned to action Thursday to retire the side and safeguard the victory for the Phillies. The veteran southpaw was limited to 1.2 frames during spring training due to a left shoulder impingement, but he bounced back after giving up six runs in two spring appearances. Jordan Romano was charged with a blown save after yielding two runs in the eighth inning Thursday, which could leave the door open for Strahm to see the occasional save chance while Philadelphia's bullpen pecking order is uncertain.

Treinen allowed one hit and one walk while striking out two across a scoreless inning to earn the save Thursday against the Tigers.

Alex Vesia and Tanner Scott were called upon in the seventh and eighth innings, respectively, to face lefty-heavy portions of the Tigers' lineup. That left Treinen in line to get the save, though he allowed the tying runner to reach scoring position and needed 23 pitches to get the three outs. Scott figures to get the majority of save chances for the Dodgers moving forward, though he could continue to be used earlier in contests in high-leverage spots against elite left-handed hitters.

Helsley struck out the side and allowed one hit in a scoreless ninth inning to earn the save Thursday against the Twins.

Helsley was called upon to protect a two-run lead and looked overpowering by touching 101 mph with his fastball to collect his first save of the season. He did surrender a two-out double to Harrison Bader to make things interesting, but Helsley proceeded to strike out Matt Wallner on four pitches to end the game. Helsley could be subject to trade rumors during the summer months, but he should be an elite closing option for the foreseeable future.

Romano blew the save after allowing two runs on one hit and one walk in one inning during Thursday's game against the Nationals. He struck out one.

Summoned in the eighth inning to protect a 3-1 lead, Romano struggled with his command as he threw just 15 of 29 pitches for strikes and also plunked a batter. Philly could give Romano some leeway when it comes to future save opportunities, although they aren't short on high-leverage arms, and the right-hander's usage in the eighth frame suggests he may not solely see ninth-inning work anyway. Jose Alvarado, who ended up getting the win Thursday, and Matt Strahm pitched clean ninth and 10th innings, respectively, to preserve the win for Philadelphia.

Tinoco (1-0) was credited with the win for Thursday's game against Pittsburgh. He allowed one one walk and one hit while striking out a batter across one scoreless frame.

The 29-year-old right-hander was called from the bullpen for the top of the ninth inning, and after giving up a double and walk to Tommy Pham and Bryan Reynolds, respectively, Tinoco managed to escape the frame by striking out Joey Bart. It's worth noting that Tinoco got the call for the top of the ninth in a tie game instead of Calvin Faucher, suggesting the latter was being reserved for a potential save situation Friday.

Bednar (0-1) was charged with the loss in Thursday's contest against the Marlins after he allowed one earned run off two hits and one walk while failing to record an out.

Bednar was called out of the bullpen in the bottom of the ninth with the game tied 4-4, and he surrendered the lead on just eight pitches via a triple, an intentional walk and a single. The 30-year-old opened the season as Pittsburgh's presumed closer despite his 5.77 ERA last year, and though Thursday wasn't a save situation, his rocky start to 2025 puts him on even shakier ground.

Suarez earned the save in Thursday's 7-4 win over Atlanta, issuing one walk while striking out two in a scoreless ninth inning.

It was an encouraging start to the year for Suarez after he struggled to an ugly 15.43 ERA in spring training. Despite the rough spring, Suarez entered 2025 entrenched as San Diego's closer after converting 36 saves while posting a 2.77 ERA in 65 innings last year.

Walker earned the save in Thursday's 6-4 win over the Reds, allowing a run on one hit in the ninth inning.

Walker recorded the first two outs in the ninth before hitting Jacob Hurtubise with a pitch, who then came around to score on a TJ Friedl single. However, Walker would rebound and record the final out to close out the Giants' Opening Day victory. The 29-year-old Walker is coming off an impressive 2024 campaign, during which he posted a 1.91 ERA and 0.85 WHIP across 80 innings. He logged 10 saves after taking over the closer job late in the year and should have pretty good job security to begin 2025.

Gibaut (0-1) was charged with the loss and a blown save Thursday against the Giants after giving up four runs on three hits and a walk over two-thirds of an inning. He struck out two.

Gibaut was literally the last pitcher added to the Reds' roster after Alexis Diaz (hamstring) was placed on the IL earlier this week, so it was a major surprise he was called upon for the save Opening Day. It's noteworthy that potential fill-in closers Scott Barlow, Emilio Pagan and Tony Santillan pitched the sixth-through-eighth innings, but that still left Taylor Rogers and Graham Ashcraft available. Gibaut had a 3.33 ERA and 23 holds in 74 outings for Cincinnati in 2023, but he has a 4.33 ERA in his MLB career and isn't likely to see consistent high-leverage opportunities.