MLB Player News

The Mets placed Kranick (hamstring) on the 15-day injured list Thursday.

Kranick is recovering from a Grade 2 left hamstring strain, which he sustained in his only Grapefruit League start back on Feb. 26. It's unclear where Kranick stands in his recovery at this point, but the injury cost him any chance he had of making a case for a back-end spot in the New York rotation. Kranick has a minor-league option remaining, so if the Mets want to have him stay stretched out as a starter, he could be sent to Triple-A Syracuse once he's reinstated from the IL.

Alzolay allowed a run on a hit and a walk to blow the save in Thursday's 4-3, 10-inning loss to the Rangers.

Alzolay entered the game in the bottom of the ninth inning staked to a 3-2 lead but promptly allowed a tying home run to pinch-hitter Travis Jankowski. He walked another hitter before escaping the frame. Alzolay only blew three saves in 25 opportunities last season and posted a strong 2.67 ERA, so he should have some leeway in the early going. However, veteran Hector Neris is now on the roster, and he could push Alzolay for closing duties at some point this year if the struggles persist.

Jax threw a scoreless inning with a walk and strikeout to record the save in Thursday's Opening Day win at Kansas City.

With Jhoan Duran (oblique) on the injured list and expected to miss several weeks, it was Jax who got the call in the ninth inning to protect a three-run lead. Brock Stewart was used in the eighth inning, so it looks like Jax will be the primary closer with Duran out. However, the Twins could mix and match the two in save situations.

The Brewers placed Clarke (knee) on the 15-day injured list Thursday with a right meniscus tear.

According to MLB.com, Clarke is expected to miss at least 6-to-8 weeks due to the injury, which he suffered during a workout in the final week of spring training. Surgery apparently isn't off the table for Clarke, which would extend his recovery timeline and potentially put him at risk of missing the season. For the time being, Clarke looks like he'll try to treat the injury with rest and rehab, so he'll pause his baseball activities for the next two weeks before likely beginning a throwing program. Before suffering the injury, Clarke had been expected to fill a middle-relief role after posting a 5.95 ERA and 1.61 WHIP over 59 innings with the Royals in 2023.

The Brewers placed Williams (back) on the 15-day injured list Thursday.

Williams isn't expected to resume throwing for another month and likely won't be ready for game action until around midseason while he recovers from two stress fractures in his back, so he could be a candidate to move to the 60-day IL the next time the Brewers need to open up room on the 40-man roster. The Brewers have yet to anoint a new closer in place of Williams, but Trevor Megill, Abner Uribe and Joel Payamps look to be the early frontrunners to contend for save chances.

The Rangers placed Hernandez (lat) on the 15-day injured list Thursday.

The right lat strain that Hernandez suffered late in the 2023 regular season delayed his start to spring training, as he logged just 3.1 innings in Cactus League play before camp came to an end. According to MLB.com, general manager Chris Young said that the Rangers want to see Hernandez pitch multiple innings in a rehab game and work on back-to-back days before bringing him back from the IL. He'll be eligible for activation beginning April 9.

The Blue Jays placed Swanson (forearm) on the 15-day injured list Thursday.

Though he's beginning the season on the IL, Swanson isn't expected to be facing a long-term absence while he recovers from right forearm inflammation. With Swanson joining closer Jordan Romano (elbow) on the IL, the Blue Jays are expected to turn to Yimi Garcia, Chad Green and Tim Mayza to handle most of the higher-leverage innings early in the season.

The Pirates placed Holderman (illness) on the 15-day injured list Thursday.

Holderman was set back in spring training by a bout with a virus, but he's expected to throw a live batting practice session this week and should soon head to Triple-A Indianapolis to begin a rehab assignment. The right-hander proved to be one of Pittsburgh's more reliable relievers in his first full season in the organization in 2023, compiling a 3.86 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 58:20 K:BB in 56 innings.

The Pirates placed Mlodzinski on the 15-day injured list Thursday with right elbow inflammation.

Mlodzinski won't open the season on the Pirates' 26-man active roster, but he could be ready to return from the IL when first eligible April 9. The right-hander has already resumed throwing off a mound and is expected to throw a live batting practice session later this week, according to MLB.com.

Bednar was unavailable to pitch Thursday against the Marlins due to ongoing rehab from a lat injury, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Bednar was sidelined for much of spring training with a lat issue, though he managed to make his Grapefruit League debut March 21 while making an additional appearance on March 24. He hasn't been placed on the injured list, so Pittsburgh presumably expects him to be game ready soon.