MLB Player News

Duran picked up the save Thursday against the Rangers, allowing one hit and no walks in two-thirds of an inning. He struck out one.

A three-run ninth inning for Texas opened the door for a save situation, allowing the hard-throwing right-hander to enter the game and shut the door for his first save of the season. Duran is set up as Philadelphia's primary closer to open the campaign, after he dazzled a year ago with a 2.18 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 27:1 K:BB across 20.2 regular-season frames after being acquired by the Phillies at the trade deadline.

Stanek picked up the save Thursday against the Rays, allowing no hits and three walks in a scoreless ninth inning. He struck out one.

The right-hander drew St. Louis' first save opportunity of the year in his team debut, suggesting he's firmly in the mix for ninth-inning work. It's perhaps too early to tell if he'll get the bulk of the save chances in 2026, but Stanek could be worth a speculative pickup in fantasy leagues as this situation shakes out. JoJo Romero and Riley O'Brien worked the seventh and eighth innings respectively Thursday.

Stewart (shoulder) will begin throwing live batting practice Friday, Sonja Chen of MLB.com reports.

Stewart is lined up to throw a second round of live BP on Tuesday, and if he gets through both sessions without any problems, the Dodgers may send him out on a rehab assignment. Once healthy, the 34-year-old righty could take on a high-leverage role after finishing 2025 with a 2.63 ERA and 1.19 WHIP over 37.2 regular-season innings.

The Nationals announced Wednesday that Varland won a spot on the Opening Day roster.

The 29-year-old right-hander didn't pitch in the majors at all in 2025 and threw only 6.1 innings in the minors in the White Sox system, but Varland looked healthy this spring while posting a 5.23 ERA and 13:4 K:BB over 10.1 innings. The back of the Washington bullpen is unsettled, and Varland could work his way into a high-leverage role with a quick start to the campaign.

Poulin has claimed a spot in the Nationals' Opening Day bullpen, Jessica Camerato and Paige Leckie of MLB.com report.

The 29-year-old will be one of three left-handers in the Washington bullpen, joining Cionel Perez and Ken Waldichuk. Poulin looked good this spring, posting a 0.00 ERA and 10:3 K:BB in 7.2 innings, but he may not see regular high-leverage work after producing a 3.65 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 27:13 K:BB over his first 24.2 big-league innings last season with two wins, a save and five holds in 28 appearances.

Myers has secured a spot in the Mets' Opening Day bullpen, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

The former Brewer will handle long-relief duties alongside Sean Manaea to begin the season. Myers was effective as a swingman for Milwaukee in 2025, posting a 3.55 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 38:15 K:BB in 50.2 innings over 22 appearances (six starts).

Garcia has won a spot in the Mets' bullpen to begin the season, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

The 39-year-old right-hander has become a journeyman late in his career, and the Mets will be his eighth MLB team in the last eight seasons, including three separate stints with the Angels. Garcia has recorded double-digit holds in five straight campaigns, and between the Halos, Nationals and Dodgers in 2025 he produced a 3.42 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 48:26 K:BB over 55.1 innings.

Raley will begin the season as part of the Mets' bullpen, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

The 37-year-old is expected to be New York's top left-handed relief option while A.J. Minter (lat) remains on the shelf. Raley looked good in the second half last season after completing his recovery from Tommy John surgery, posting a 2.45 ERA, 0.78 WHIP and 25:6 K:BB over 25.2 innings with three wins and 10 holds in 30 appearances.

Faucher is expected to share setup duties with Anthony Bender for the Marlins to begin the season, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Faucher recorded a career-high 15 saves in 2025, but the offseason addition of Pete Fairbanks bumps him down to an eighth-inning assignment. Faucher appears ready for Opening Day after delivering a 1.80 ERA and 5:2 K:BB in five spring innings, and he's a good bet to blow past the career-best 11 holds he produced in 2024.

King has won a spot in the Marlins' Opening Day bullpen, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

After signing a one-year deal with Miami in February, King lines up to be the top left-handed relief option for manager Clayton McCullough. King was sharp this spring, posting a 1.13 ERA and 9:4 K:BB over eight innings, and given his likely role, he could top the career-high 12 holds he recorded between the Rangers and Cardinals in 2023.