MLB Player News

Leclerc (0-1) took the loss Sunday, allowing four runs on one hit and three walks over two-thirds of an inning against the Cubs.

It wasn't a save situation, but it was a troubling performance that recalled Texas' bullpen struggles of 2023, when Leclerc lost the closer's job early on. Leclerc, who's had an issue with free passes during his career, walked a run in Sunday and has walked five over 1.2 innings thus far. The Rangers' closer has allowed runs in each of his first two outings. He was the victim of an incorrect call by an umpire Opening Day, but Sunday was all on him.

Sims (1-0) threw a scoreless inning and picked up the win in Sunday's victory over Washington.

Sims fired a perfect top of the ninth inning and benefitted from the team's three runs in the bottom half of the frame to pull out a comeback win. He's coming off a career-high 67 appearances (61 innings) in 2023, when he operated as one of the primary setup relievers for closer Alexis Diaz.

The Dodgers optioned Feyereisen to Triple-A Oklahoma City on March 22.

Feyereisen missed the entire 2023 season while recovering from shoulder surgery, but he received a clean bill of health for spring training and pitched well enough early on in camp to earn a spot on the Dodgers' 31-player travel squad for the two-game Seoul Series in South Korea with the Padres. He ended up making his Dodgers debut in the second game of the series March 21 and was roughed up over his lone inning of relief work, as he served up three earned runs on three hits and one walk in the 15-11 loss. The Dodgers sent him to minor-league camp one day later, and Feyereisen will now look to right the ship at Oklahoma City with the hopes of earning a longer-term stay in the big-league bullpen.

The Dodgers optioned Varland to Triple-A Oklahoma City on March 22.

Varland closed the 2023 season on the 60-day injured list due to right knee inflammation, but he was healthy for the start of spring training and pitched well enough in the early part of camp to earn a spot on the Dodgers' 31-player travel squad for the two-game Seoul Series in South Korea with the Padres. He came on in relief during the second game of the series March 21 and retired the only batter he faced in a 15-11 loss. He was one of three players sent back to minor-league camp upon the Dodgers' return to the United States and is now set to pitch out of the Oklahoma City bullpen before he awaits his next opportunity with the big club.

Thompson allowed one hit over a scoreless eighth inning in Sunday's 5-1 win over Colorado.

Thompson made his second appearance, both coming in the eighth inning as a leadup to presumptive closer Kevin Ginkel, who is the most logical fill-in for the injured Paul Sewald (oblique). Neither game developed into a save situation, but it offers a glimpse into how manager Torey Lovullo plans to deploy the backend of the bullpen without Sewald. The side-arming Thompson was a revelation for the Diamondbacks in 2023, and he logged nine appearances in the postseason.

Paddack is scheduled to start Wednesday's game against the Brewers at American Family Field.

After making his return from Tommy John surgery late last season, Paddack's lone three appearances with Minnesota came as a reliever, so he'll be making his first regular-season start since May 8, 2022 when he takes the hill Wednesday. The right-hander broke camp with a rotation spot in hand despite not being particularly sharp during Grapefruit League play, finishing with a 4.73 ERA, 1.58 WHIP and 10:3 K:BB in 13.1 innings.

King didn't factor into the decision Sunday against the Giants, tossing four innings and yielding two runs on two hits and seven walks. He struck out six.

King went through plenty of ups and downs in his first start of 2024, holding San Francisco to just two runs and two hits but walking a staggering seven batters. He's now allowed 10 walks in 7.1 innings this season and owns a 2.45 HR/9. While he'll be tough to trust moving forward, King could be worth a dart throw in daily formats as he's been an excellent source of strikeouts (13.5 K/9) thus far. King's tentatively lined up for a rematch with the Giants for his next start at pitcher-friendly Oracle Park.

Hudson struck out two batters in a perfect ninth inning and earned a save over St. Louis on Sunday.

Hudson made quick work of the Cardinals with 16 pitches, including five whiffs. The veteran righty was given the shot in the ninth inning after Evan Phillips pitched both Friday and Saturday. Hudson has tossed three scoreless frames with four punchouts to begin the year.

Jimenez (1-0) picked up the win Sunday against Cleveland, giving up one hit and one walk in one scoreless inning. He didn't log a strikeout.

Jimenez was in contention for the closing role throughout the spring, but it appeared as though Mason Miller would be the first to get high-leverage ninth-inning duties. However, after Miller gave up two runs in one inning of work Saturday, Jimenez was handed the ball Sunday and took the A's home for their first win of the campaign. Considering the fluid closing situation and the lack of overall save chances, fantasy managers should be hesitant to rely upon any of Oakland's arms for save production.

Hader (0-1) took the loss against the Yankees on Sunday, yielding one run on two hits and no walks during one inning. He struck out two.

Hader took the mound in the ninth during a 3-3 tie but was unable to get through the inning unscathed. He surrendered back-to-back singles to Gleyber Torres and Juan Soto, with Soto's knock plating Torres after Torres stole second. Sunday's outing was Hader's first blemish of 2024 after giving up no hits and fanning five in his first two appearances covering two innings.