MLB Player News

Junis (1-0) allowed a run on three hits and no walks while striking out two over 2.1 innings to earn the win Saturday versus the Yankees.

Alex Cobb was inefficient, throwing 47 of 76 pitches for strikes as the starter. Junis stepped up, getting the last out of the fourth inning and tossing two more frames with decent results in his first appearance this season. He was assigned a swingman role after failing to win a spot in the Giants' bullpen during spring training. While his fantasy value is limited for now, the right-hander's favorable home park could give him some appeal if injuries in the rotation allow him to get some starts. Junis had a 4.42 ERA and 1.29 WHIP over 112 innings last season, his best ratios since 2018.

Yarbrough pitched 1.2 perfect relief innings without recording a strikeout in Saturday's 2-0 loss to the Twins.

Yarbrough was slowed by a groin strain during spring training, so he hasn't had the ability to stretch out yet. He was efficient Saturday, throwing just 12 pitches (nine strikes) to get five outs. It appears Yarbrough could be headed for a multi-inning role out of the bullpen this season, which would sap most of his fairly limited fantasy value. Should Kris Bubic falter as the fifth starter, Yarbrough still has a path to the rotation if he can build up during the season.

Clase earned a save Saturday against the Mariners, striking out one batter in a perfect inning of work.

After Aaron Civale gave Cleveland seven scoreless innings, manager Terry Francona turned to James Karinchak in the eighth. Karinchak continued the shutout, and Clase finished things off with a perfect ninth. He needed just eight pitches, seven of which were strikes, to earn the save. Clase is among the most reliable closers in baseball, having converted 67 of 76 save chances since the start of 2021.

Jackson earned a save against the Diamondbacks on Saturday, allowing one hit and striking out one batter over three scoreless innings.

The Dodgers carried an 8-1 lead into the seventh inning, and with starter Clayton Kershaw having breezed through six frames on 76 pitches, manager Dave Roberts opted to turn the ball over to Jackson. The right-handed hurler refused to let Arizona get back into the game, giving up just one hit over his three frames. Jackson is expected to remain in a long relief role, so fantasy managers don't need to seek him out on the waiver wire despite the fact that he earned the Dodgers' first save of the season.

Hader fired a scoreless inning without allowing a hit while striking out two in Saturday's 8-4 win over the Rockies.

Hader didn't get a save chance because it was a four-run cushion, but his season debut went well. The left-hander threw 12 of 16 pitches for strikes while showing off his impressive arsenal against an overmatched Colorado lineup. Hader is a good bet to be among the save leaders again in 2023.

Doval collected his first save of the season in Saturday's 7-5 win over the Yankees, giving up one run on two hits and two walks in the ninth inning while striking out one.

It wasn't pretty, but after allowing a run with one out, Doval induced a double play from Giancarlo Stanton to escape his jam. The right-hander recorded 27 saves in 2022 while emerging as an elite high-leverage arm for the Giants and he likely has some leash in the closer role, but if Doval continues to struggle, manager Gabe Kapler has other options he can turn to in the ninth.

Sanmartin retired the only batter he faced Saturday, retiring Oneil Cruz on a ground ball to end the eighth inning.

Because the Reds were up by four runs at the time, Sanmartin was not eligible for a hold. It appears that he'll be deployed to retire key lefties late in games this year after beginning 2022 as a starter.

Fujinami (0-1) took the loss against the Angels on Saturday, allowing eight runs on five hits and three walks while striking out four batters over 2.1 innings.

After 10 years pitching in Japan with Nippon Professional Baseball's Hanshin Tigers, Fujinami signed on with the Athletics in January. This probably wasn't how he envisioned his first major-league start going, as the Angels chased him after just 2.1 frames. The right-hander actually looked great over his first two innings, striking out four batters without allowing a baserunner. Things completely unraveled for him in the third, however, as Los Angeles put eight of the first nine batters on base, with the only out being recorded on a sacrifice fly. Fujinami will look for much better results the next time he takes the mound, which is tentatively scheduled to be next Saturday in Tampa.

Diaz pitched a clean ninth inning in Saturday's win over the Pirates, striking out two of the three batters he faced.

Don't be alarmed to see Diaz pitching in a non-save situation, as he didn't pitch on Opening Day and the Reds were off on Friday, so he needed to get some work in. It's difficult to trust manager David Bell to use Diaz as a full-time closer, but it appears he's getting that usage right now.

Davidson picked up a save Saturday against Oakland, hurling four scoreless innings during which he allowed three hits and one walk while striking out three batters.

Davidson will presumably be the Angels' sixth starter the first time the team needs a pitcher to fill that role, but with the Angels getting a day off Friday, the left-hander was tabbed to stretch out in long relief for his season debut. He got through four frames on 41 pitches (25 strikes) and looked good in keeping the Athletics off the scoreboard. Fantasy managers shouldn't read into Davidson's save Saturday as any indication of him jumping into the Angels' unsettled closer situation, so those who roster him for his potential future starts and happened to have him in their lineup this weekend should see this as a happy, but probably one-time, bonus.