MLB Player News

Merryweather tossed 1.1 scoreless innings to earn a hold in Friday's 9-7 win over the Dodgers. He allowed a hit and a walk while striking out three.

Merryweather helped bridge the gap to closer Adbert Alzolay after starter Kyle Hendricks only lasted four innings, and he picked up his first 2024 hold in the process. The righty had a solid 2023, logging a 3.38 ERA along with 17 holds and two saves across 72 innings while striking out 98. Merryweather could improve on those numbers in 2024 as a key reliever for the Cubs.

Gage signed a minor-league contract with the Dodgers on Saturday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

Gage was DFA'd by the Dodgers on Tuesday and released Wednesday, but the team will bring him back to provide bullpen depth at Triple-A Oklahoma City. The 31-year-old southpaw posted a 4.58 ERA and 1.64 WHIP across 37.1 frames with Houston's Triple-A affiliate last season.

Cruz (0-1) was tagged with the loss Friday against the Mets. He allowed a run on three walks while striking out two over one inning in a 3-2 defeat.

Cruz entered a clean seventh inning and got the first out before walking three consecutive batters. He nearly escaped trouble, but a potential double-play grounder was mishandled by shortstop Elly De La Cruz. The reliever has allowed two runs one one hit and three walks while striking out eight over 4.1 innings.

Gibaut (forearm) allowed a hit and a walk while striking out three over a scoreless inning for High-A Dayton on Friday.

Gibaut began a rehab assignment with the Dragons, working into and out of a jam in the fifth inning. The right-hander dealt with a pronator strain in his right forearm during spring training and needs time to get ready for the regular season. Per Mark Sheldon of MLB.com, Gibaut's targeted return is April 20.

Thompson allowed a hit and struck out one over 1.1 scoreless innings in Friday's 6-5 extra-inning loss to Atlanta.

Thompson made his fifth appearance and has yet to give up a run or walk. On a night when the bullpen blew a three-run lead -- including a blown save by fill-in closer Kevin Ginkel -- Thompson's performance stood out. Thompson worked the eighth and ninth innings in his previous appearances this season before entering Friday's game in the sixth.

Mantiply allowed a walk over a scoreless inning in Friday's 6-5 extra-inning loss to Atlanta.

Mantiply's effort spanned the seventh and eighth innings and was his third straight scoreless outing after he ceded a pair of runs in his regular-season debut. The lefty could be used at any time in a game and is one of two southpaws in the bullpen.

Castro allowed one run on two hits over one-third of an inning in Friday's 6-5 extra-inning loss to Atlanta.

Castro, who entered with one out in the eighth inning and a string of righties due up, gave up a pair of doubles that started Atlanta's comeback from a 5-2 deficit. Kevin Ginkel could not hold the lead in the ninth, as the Diamondbacks didn't execute well -- pitching or fielding -- at the end of the game. The right-handed Castro is part of the setup crew and will get high-leverage appearances.

Jansen struck out one batter in a perfect ninth inning and earned a save over the Angels on Friday.

Jansen had walked five batters in his first three outings but finally worked a clean inning Friday, his third time pitching in the last four days. Despite some early command issues, the veteran closer has converted each of his three save chances and has yet to give up a run. His velocity is still a concern; Jansen's cutter, which averaged 94.3 mph last season, was down to just 90.7 mph Friday.

Stratton (1-0) earned the win Friday over the White Sox, allowing a hit and a walk while striking out one over one scoreless inning.

Stratton worked the top of the eighth inning, and the Royals broke a 1-1 tie in the bottom of the frame. The right-hander allowed two runs in his season debut March 28 versus the Twins, but he's bounced back with a pair of scoreless outings. The Royals' bullpen roles remain unsettled, but Stratton is still far down the pecking order for save chances even with Will Smith struggling out of the gate.

Diaz gave up one unearned run during the ninth inning to earn the save in Friday's 3-2 victory over Cincinnati. He struck out one batter and walked one.

After missing all of last season due to a torn right patellar tendon he suffered during the 2023 World Baseball Classic, Diaz was able to convert his first save opportunity of 2024. The 30-year-old closer has a 0.00 ERA through four appearances and boasts a 6:1 K:BB through four innings.