MLB Player News

Cisnero (1-0) allowed an unearned run in an inning of relief to earn the win in Friday's 11-inning contest against the Giants. He gave up two hits and struck out one.

Cisnero worked the top of the 11th inning and allowed the automatic runner on second base to score via a pair of singles with no outs, but he limited the damage from there. The righty then picked up the win on Nick Maton's walkoff three-run home run in the bottom half of the inning. Cisnero now has a 5.40 ERA across five innings this season, and he should continue to work in front of regular closer Alex Lange most days. Lange did not pitch Friday.

Munoz (shoulder) played catch prior to Friday's game against the Rockies and felt no pain or discomfort, the team's official site reports.

The fireballing reliever continues to enjoy a smooth stint on the injured list, helping corroborate an earlier MRI that suggested his strain was minor. Munoz will continue to do some light throwing while sidelined but appears to be a strong candidate to be activated when first eligible.

Leclerc pitched a perfect ninth inning in Friday's 6-2 win over Houston.

Leclerc had been warming up when the Rangers plated an insurance run, making it a non-save situation. Still, it was a nice bounce back for Leclerc, who blew a save in his previous outing Tuesday versus the Royals.

Doval (0-2) took the loss Friday as the Giants fell 7-5 to the Tigers in 11 innings, giving up three runs (two earned) on only one hit over 1.2 innings. He struck out three.

The closer kept Detroit off the board in the bottom of the 10th inning, but when San Francisco grabbed a 5-4 lead in the top of the 11th, Doval remained on the mound. The right-hander watched second baseman David Villar make a poor decision on defense by trying to get the phantom runner at third base on a slow chopper to lead off the bottom of the frame, and after he struck out the next two batters -- which would have ended the game, had Villar taken the easy out at first base -- Nick Maton turned on a 96.8 mph fastball up in the zone and slugged a walkoff home run on Doval's 21st pitch of the night. He's got more losses than saves (one) right now and an ugly 6.35 ERA, but Doval's 33.3 percent strikeout rate through his first 5.2 innings suggests there's little cause for concern in the long run.

Manaea didn't factor into the decision in Friday's 7-5 extra-innings loss to the Tigers, giving up two runs on four hits and a walk over 3.1 innings while striking out four.

The veteran lefty needed 82 pitches (53 strikes) to record just 10 outs and exited the game with the Giants down 2-1. Manaea was taken off the hook for the loss when J.D. Davis (leg) went yard in the eighth to tie things up and force extra innings. Manaea has a 13:4 K:BB in 11.1 innings over his first three appearances (two starts) this season, but that comes with a 4.76 ERA and 4.70 FIP. He'll remain in the rotation for now and lines up for a road tilt against the Marlins next week.

Sewald picked up the save Friday against the Rockies, striking out two in a perfect inning.

Sewald is now 3-for-3 in save opportunities this year, with eight strikeouts in as many innings pitched. The righty continues to prove himself as one of the better closers in the league, as he's had 31 saves over the previous two seasons. He should continue to get save chances while Andres Munoz (shoulder) is on the injured list.

Thompson (1-0) allowed a hit and a walk while striking out four over 1.2 innings to earn the win Friday over the Pirates.

Starter Jake Woodford pitched 5.1 scoreless innings but received no run support. Thompson was able to get some help as the Cardinals got on the board in the sixth inning and maintained the lead to earn him the win in his sixth appearances this season. The southpaw has done well as a multi-inning option, giving up one unearned run on six hits and four walks while striking out 11 over seven innings this season. He also has a hold. Thompson is the Cardinals' most effective lefty in the bullpen, so he could work his way into some high-leverage spots.

Lopez (0-1) allowed two earned runs on two hits and a walk in two-thirds of an inning to take the loss Friday against the Orioles.

Lopez entered the game in the seventh inning with one out and runners on first and second. He retired the first batter he faced without incident but then gave up a hit, walk and double in succession to turn a three-run lead into a one-run deficit. Lopez is the only White Sox pitcher to have recorded a save this season, but he's now allowed at least one earned run in four of his seven appearances. That could lead manager Pedro Grifol to rethink his usage of Lopez.

Baumann (1-0) walked one and struck out two without allowing a run in two-thirds of an inning to earn the win Friday over the White Sox.

Baumann got the last two outs of the sixth in relief of starter Tyler Wells. Baumann walked the bases loaded, but he was able to escape the jam, and the Orioles rallied for the lead in the top of the seventh. This is Baumann's first season working as a full-time reliever after coming up through the minors as a starter. So far, he's done reasonably well with a 1.23 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 6:4 K:BB across 7.1 innings, but his low-leverage role isn't one to attract fantasy managers.

Stephan (1-0) allowed a hit and a walk and struck out one in a scoreless inning to earn the win Friday versus the Nationals.

Stephan pitched the bottom of the seventh inning, and the Guardians pulled ahead in the top of the eighth. The right-hander is already up to eight appearances this season and has been quite effective, allowing just one run, six hits and three walks over eight innings. He's also picked up a save and a blown save. Stephan should continue to be one of the setup options ahead of closer Emmanuel Clase.