MLB Player News

Helsley gave up two hits and struck out two over 1.2 scoreless innings Saturday to record his first save of the season in a 4-1 win over the Blue Jays.

After blowing his first save chance of the year Thursday, Helsley was called upon to quell a Toronto rally in the top of the eighth, then stayed in the game and created a jam of his own in the ninth before escaping. The right-hander is coming off an outstanding 2022 in which he recorded 19 saves, and with Giovanny Gallegos (back) currently unavailable, Helsley doesn't have much competition for ninth-inning work even if he continues to run into trouble.

Trivino (elbow) was able to throw off a mound Friday, James O'Connell of the New York Daily News reports.

Trivino opened the season on the injured list with a ligament strain in his right elbow. The right-hander is expected to miss most of April while recovering, but it's good news that the former Oakland stopper is able to get on the mound in the early part of the month. Because he missed so much of the spring, it's all but assured that Trivino will have to go on a rehab assignment before returning.

Kahnle (biceps) could start throwing as soon as next week, James O'Connell of the New York Daily News reports.

Kahnle is on the 15-day injured list with tendinitis in his right biceps, and it's a positive sign that he's feeling well enough to possibly start his throwing program in the coming days. He'll likely need a rehab assignment because of his missed time, but if things go well, he could be helping the New York bullpen before the end of April.

Williams picked up his first save of the year Saturday against the Cubs, striking out one and allowing two hits in a scoreless ninth inning.

It wasn't the cleanest of innings for Williams in his first outing of the year, but he got the job done. After allowing a pair of singles to start the inning (one of which deflected off him), he got Cody Bellinger to ground into a double play before striking out Miles Mastrobuoni to end the game. Williams is expected to serve as the closer full-time this season, relying on his "Airbender" changeup to deceive hitters in high-leverage moments.

Neris picked up the save Saturday against the White Sox, allowing one run on two hits and a walk in 1.1 innings while striking out two.

Ryan Pressly's illness led to a save chance for Rafael Montero on Friday and one for Neris on Saturday. Neris struck out Elvis Andrus to clean up Ryne Stanek's mess in the eighth inning, though he got into trouble himself in the next frame. Yasmani Grandal walked to start the inning and came around to score on a pair of two-out singles, but Neris struck out Yoan Moncada to seal the deal. Neris may not add too many more saves to his ledger the rest of the way, however, as both Pressly and Montero are ahead of him on the closer depth chart.

Twins manager Rocco Baldelli told reporters that Duran was unavailable for Saturday's game versus the Royals after "sleeping funny," Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Baldelli said that it was nothing serious, but that's why it was Jorge Lopez who received the save chance for Saturday's game rather than Duran. The talented right-hander will likely to be available going forward, and it appears he's the favorite for save chances to begin -- and likely end -- the 2023 campaign.

Jansen (1-0) picked up a win with a scoreless ninth inning against the Orioles on Saturday. He allowed a hit and a walk while striking out two.

Jansen came in to pitch in a game that Boston trailed 8-7, so it was unlikely he was going to factor into the decision. The Red Sox were able to score twice in the bottom of the ninth after his scoreless frame, however, so he got his first win as a member of the club. His first chance for a save with the Red Sox should come soon.

Nelson (hamstring) threw a bullpen session Friday, Alex Coffey of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Nelson missed the start of the season with a strained left hamstring but appears to be working his way back to a low-leverage role. He's scheduled for another bullpen session Monday.

Bautista (0-1) allowed two unearned runs on one hit over two-thirds of an inning and picked up a loss and a blown save Saturday against the Red Sox.

Bautista should have picked up his second save of the season, but Ryan McKenna dropped a flyball with two outs. Adam Duvall took Bautista deep to give Boston the victory. It's disappointing for fantasy managers who roster the hard-throwing 27-year-old to pick up the loss and no save, but the runs being unearned won't hurt his ERA.

Chapman struck out the side in the ninth inning of Saturday's 2-0 loss against Minnesota.

Chapman breezed through the Minnesota lineup and needed just 13 pitches to pick up his three strikeouts. The southpaw was making his debut with the Royals, and it's tough to beat the results the 35-year-old had during Saturday's appearance. Chapman could be in line for saves for Kansas City in the 2023 season, but he has a bit of an undefined role to begin the year.