MLB Player News

McArthur picked up the save Friday against the White Sox, allowing no runs in two-thirds of an inning with no strikeouts.

McArthur entered with one out in the top of the ninth inning after Will Smith opened the frame and struggled, yielding a double and a walk after striking out Yoan Moncada. McArthur replaced the veteran southpaw and induced Andrew Vaughn to hit into a double play, earning his first save of the season. Smith has pitched poorly to open the season, leaving plenty of room for McArthur to seize the closer job in Kansas City, but Friday was the first time in four appearances that the right-hander hadn't allowed a run.

Brebbia exited Friday's game versus Kansas City early due to right calf soreness.

Brebbia battled a right calf strain during most of spring training, and he seems to be experiencing issues with that same calf once again. The severity of the right-hander's injury remains unknown, but a trip to the IL may be necessary to ensure his calf gets back to 100 percent.

Brebbia was removed from Friday's game against the Royals with an apparent injury, LaMond Pope of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Brebbia looked uncomfortable on the mound after fielding a comebacker during the the sixth inning, and he was pulled from the game after throwing a few warmup pitches in front of trainers. It's not immediately apparent what is bothering the 33-year-old right-hander, who is expected to be part of the late-inning mix for the White Sox this season.

Doval (1-0) picked up the win Friday, giving up a hit and a walk while striking out two in a scoreless ninth inning during a 3-2 victory over the Padres.

The Giants' closer came on in a 2-2 tie at home, so he had no chance at a save, but Doval took care of business in the top of the ninth and got rewarded when Thairo Estrada walked it off with a double in the bottom of the frame. After racking up 66 saves over the prior two seasons, Doval is still looking for his first save of 2024.

Hicks came away with a no-decision in Friday's 3-2 win over the Padres, giving up two runs (one earned) on five hits over seven innings. He struck out five without walking a batter.

The 27-year-old right-hander produced the first quality start of his career, as he lasted more than five innings for the first time in 10 career big-league starts. Hicks tossed 91 pitches (61 strikes) in an efficient outing, and the Giants' decision to deploy him in the rotation rather than a high-leverage relief role is beginning to look like it might pay dividends. Hicks will take a 0.75 ERA and 11:1 K:BB through his first 12 innings of 2024 into his next start, which lines up for a favorable home matchup against the Nationals next week.

Kimbrel struck out two in a perfect ninth inning Friday to record his first save of the season in a 5-2 win over the Pirates.

The veteran closer blew his first save of the season, but Kimbrel bounced back in his second appearance despite a fastball that topped out at 93.8 mph, although bad weather in Pittsburgh may have contributed to his inability to fully dial it up. Kimbrel is being counted on to handle the ninth inning for the O's this season while Felix Bautista (elbow) recovers from Tommy John surgery, and while the 35-year-old won't be as dominant as the younger reliever he's replacing, he's got more than enough experience -- his 418 career saves is eighth on MLB's all-time list.

Lawrence got charged with five runs (four earned) on five hits in only one-third of an inning Friday against the Rays.

He wasn't fooling anyone, and most of the balls Tampa Bay batters put in play against Lawrence seemed to find holes. He avoided a blown save only because he entered the game to protect a four-run lead, and Lawrence was taken off the hook for a loss by a Ryan McMahon walkoff grand slam in the bottom of the ninth. The 29-year-old right-hander is still viewed as the nominal favorite to get saves for the Rockies, but performances like this won't help his tenuous job security.

Fairbanks (0-1) walked all three batters he faced in the ninth inning Friday and watched them all come around to score, getting tagged with the loss as the Rays fell 10-7 to the Rockies.

Tampa Bay rallied for five runs in the top of the ninth at Coors Field, creating a save situation for Fairbanks, but he couldn't find the plate and tossed only five of 17 pitches for strikes, uncorking a wild pitch along the way. After the right-hander loaded the bases, Jason Adam replaced him and served up a walkoff grand slam to Ryan McMahon. Fairbanks has been charged with four runs in 2.0 innings over his first three appearances with a 3:4 K:BB, and his fastball topped out at 96 mph Friday after averaging 97.8 mph last year. As yet there's been no indication his spot as the Rays' closer is in jeopardy, but his job security could be eroding.

Alzolay earned the save in Friday's 9-7 win over the Dodgers, working around two hits in a scoreless inning.

Alzolay allowed back-to-back singles to Freddie Freeman and Will Smith to open the ninth inning, but he'd rebound to set down the next three batters and grab his first save of the year. After allowing a run in his first appearance this season, Alzolay's responded with three scoreless outings, striking out four in that span. He should remain the primary closing option in Chicago after he converted 22 of 25 save chances last year while posting a career-best 2.67 ERA over 64 innings.

Lange earned the save in Friday's 5-4 win over the A's, striking out the lone batter he faced in a third of an inning.

Andrew Chafin was brought on to start the ninth, but he allowed a pair of walks before Lange was brought in to face the right-handed Zack Gelof, who he struck out on four pitches. It's the first save of the season for Lange, who was initially expected to serve as Detroit's primary ninth-inning option. However, it appears that the Tigers will opt for a modified closing committee, with Jason Foley (who pitched the eighth Friday) getting the highest-leverage usage. Lange converted 26 of 32 save chances last season, pitching to a 3.68 ERA with a 79:45 K:BB across 66 innings.