MLB Player News

Yates (hamstring) threw off a bullpen mound Friday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

For the first time since landing on the injured list May 18 due to a right hamstring strain, Yates was able to throw off a mound. Per Ardaya, the veteran reliever said Friday that he hasn't felt any discomfort in the hamstring since a few days after initially getting hurt and indicated that he is optimistic he isn't going to miss much more time. Yates is eligible to be activated Monday, and he could be back with the Dodgers around that date if he comes out of Friday's session with any setbacks.

Vesia allowed a hit in a scoreless inning to earn the save in Friday's 8-5 win over the Yankees.

Vesia got the save chance after Tanner Scott defused a two-on, two-out situation in the eighth inning. Both pitchers struggled in their last outings Wednesday versus the Guardians, and it's at least intriguing that Vesia was called upon to handle the top of the Yankees' order, which he did successfully after pitching around Trent Grisham's leadoff single. Vesia has allowed four runs in May, all via home runs, over 10.1 innings. He's at two saves, 10 holds, a 3.24 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 35:9 K:BB through 25 innings. With Scott blowing three saves over his last five appearances, Vesia looks to be the early candidate to take over the ninth inning should manager Dave Roberts officially make a change at closer. Even if that happens, it could lead to a committee scenario, especially once Kirby Yates (hamstring) and Michael Kopech (shoulder) are ready to return.

Munoz allowed three runs on four hits and struck out two without walking a batter over one inning, taking a blown save in Friday's 12-6 extra-inning loss to the Twins.

Munoz fell apart in the ninth inning, allowing a two-run home run to Willi Castro and the game-tying RBI single to Trevor Larnach. The earned runs were the first of the year for Munoz. The 26-year-old is still at a sterling 1.09 ERA, 0.81 WHIP and 31:8 K:BB while converting 17 of 20 save chances over 24.2 innings.

Cleavinger (0-1) allowed one earned run on one hit while striking out two across two-thirds of an inning to take the loss Friday against the Astros.

Cleavinger has been one of the Rays' most reliable high-leverage relievers this season, and he's maintained an impressive 27:4 K:BB across 21.1 frames while turning in scoreless efforts in 17 of 23 appearances. He stumbled Friday, however, allowing a solo home run in the bottom of the ninth inning after striking out the first two batters he faced to take his first loss of the campaign.

Finnegan allowed one run, hit one batter and didn't surrender a hit or a walk over one inning to earn the save in Friday's 9-7 win over the Diamondbacks.

Finnegan plunked Corbin Carroll, who stole second and then finished his trip around the bases on consecutive groundouts. Finnegan appears to be recovered from the shoulder fatigue that kept him out of game action for a week. He's allowed three runs (one earned) over his last three innings. For the season, the Nationals' closer has a 2.61 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 18:8 K:BB while converting 16 of 19 save opportunities over 20.2 innings.

Doval recorded his sixth save during Friday's 2-0 win over the Marlins after pitching 1.1 innings, allowing no runs or hits. He walked one and struck out two.

In his first chance back in the closer role for the Giants, Doval was asked to get the team out of a jam in the eighth and then record all three outs in the ninth, and he delivered to pick up his sixth save. There haven't been many more dominant pitchers than the 27-year-old lately, as he turned in his 20th straight scoreless outing to bring his season-long ERA down to 1.07. He's allowed just four hits over that stretch.

Harrison (1-1) got the win after throwing five innings of shutout ball in Friday's 2-0 win over the Marlins. He allowed one hit, walked three and struck out five.

In his second start of the season since transitioning from the bullpen, Harrison had a longer leash and took advantage of it, working five shutout innings on just 80 pitches. In his two starts (nine innings), he's allowed just two runs with nine strikeouts. With Justin Verlander (pectoral) on the way back from the injured list, the 23-year-old Harrison might not get the chance to start again in the immediate future, but he's made a strong case to be the team's choice to make spot starts should injuries strike the Giants' rotation again.

Whitlock (4-0) earned the win Friday against Atlanta after allowing one hit and one walk in 1.2 scoreless innings. He struck out two.

Whitlock has now registered at least one punchout in each of his nine outings in May. The 28-year-old right-hander is an important multi-inning weapon for the Red Sox, although that hasn't translated to much fantasy appeal. Through 29.1 innings, Whitlock owns a 3.68 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 36:13 K:BB with three holds and zero saves.

Fisher will work as the Blue Jays' opening pitcher for Saturday's game against the Athletics, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

Fisher will be making his first start at any level since his time with Double-A Tulsa in the Dodgers organization 2023. The 24-year-old righty has been great out of the bullpen since joining the Blue Jays earlier this month, tossing 8.1 shutout innings while striking out 12 batters and walking one. The Blue Jays will likely look to get an inning or two out of Fisher before he turns the came over to the bullpen, with both Eric Lauer and Paxton Schultz representing candidates to cover multiple innings behind Fisher.

Manager Ron Washington said after Friday's game against Cleveland that he expects Stephenson to be fine after Stephenson exited with a biceps injury, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Stephenson didn't seem to be too concerned about his injury either, per Fletcher, saying that the issue is in the middle of his biceps rather than near his surgically repaired elbow. He'll attempt to do some throwing Saturday, at which point we may know more about his availability going forward.