MLB Player News

Graterol wasn't available for Thursday's game against Arizona due to back tightness, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts revealed after the team's 5-2 win that he didn't use Graterol in the contest because the reliever's back tightened up in the middle of the game. Evan Phillips ended up nabbing his second save of the campaign, and he may be emerging as the team's first choice in closing situations. It's unclear if Graterol's back issue will cause him to miss additional time.

Phillips earned a save against the Diamondbacks on Thursday, striking out one batter in a perfect inning of work.

Phillips got the call with Los Angeles up by three runs heading into the bottom of the ninth inning, and the right-hander retired the side in order to notch his second save in three days. It's worth noting that Brusdar Graterol was unavailable due to a tight back, per Juan Toribio of MLB.com, but manager Dave Roberts implied that he would have used Graterol in the eighth frame. It would be premature to label Phillips as the Dodgers' full-time closer, but he's earned both of the team's single-inning saves thus far and has has yet to allow a run through three innings this season.

Johnson picked up a save against the Nationals on Thursday, striking out two batters in a perfect ninth inning.

Johnson was called upon in the ninth inning to close out a rare 1-0 Coors Field game, and he succeeded with ease, needing just nine pitches -- eight of which were strikes -- to retire the side in order. The right-hander struck out two in the frame, giving him seven punchouts over three innings so far this season. Daniel Bard was expected to open the season as the Rockies' closer, but he's currently on the injured list while he deals with anxiety. Johnson has stepped in to notch both of Colorado's saves thus far, and he has an opportunity to dig his heels into the closer role with Bard's timeline for a return uncertain.

Cimber struck out one and did not allow a baserunner in a scoreless ninth inning to earn the save Thursday against the Royals.

He took advantage of a rare save chance, as Jordan Romano was unavailable after pitching each of the last two days. Cimber had little trouble protecting a three-run lead, inducing two groundball outs before striking out MJ Melendez to end the game. Cimber has turned in four scoreless innings to begin the season, though he has walked two and also hit a batter.

Englert, who tossed 1.1 scoreless innings in Thursday's loss to the Red Sox, now has a 1.69 ERA and 0.94 WHIP this season.

It's a small sample size of just 5.1 innings, but Englert has looked good out of the bullpen. The righty only has one strikeout, however, so he may not be able to sustain his success if he doesn't miss more bats. Englert is locked into a middle-relief role for now, which limits his fantasy appeal, though he could see higher-leverage work down the road if he continues to pitch well.

Jansen didn't allow a hit or run in a scoreless ninth inning to earn the save Thursday against the Tigers.

Jansen was called upon to protect a three-run lead, and he got little resistance to record his first save of the season. It was his first appearance since Saturday, when he allowed two baserunners but escaped with a scoreless outing and a win. Though Jansen has lost some dominance in recent seasons, he should comfortably serve as Boston's closer throughout 2023.

Iglesias (shoulder) had yet to resume throwing as of Thursday, Justin Toscano of the Atlanta Journal Constitution reports.

Iglesias remains in rest and treatment mode two weeks after being diagnosed with right shoulder inflammation. The hope had been that he could join Atlanta's bullpen around mid-April, but now it would appear that the veteran closer might miss the entire month. A.J. Minter seems to have the strongest current hold on Atlanta's ninth-inning gig. Jesse Chavez got a save Wednesday at St. Louis, but Minter was presumably unavailable after pitching the two previous days.

McHugh (shoulder) said Thursday that he expects to start throwing again soon, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

McHugh was placed on the 15-day injured list Thursday with what has been diagnosed as right shoulder inflammation. He's dealing with some soreness and stiffness, but it doesn't sound like this is going to be an overly lengthy absence for the veteran reliever.

Coonrod (lat) was transferred Thursday from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day injured list.

The move clears out a 40-man roster spot for the Mets' waiver claim of Edwin Uceta from the Pirates. Coonrod will be sidelined until at least early June as he recovers from a high-grade lat strain.

Uceta was claimed off waivers by the Mets on Thursday and optioned to Triple-A Syracuse.

Uceta was designated for assignment by the Pirates on Tuesday. The 25-year-old right-hander holds a career 6.27 ERA and 38:19 K:BB in 37.1 total innings at the MLB level.