MLB Player News

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.

Rodriguez (2-0) picked up the win Friday, allowing two runs on six hits and two walks over 6.1 innings in a 5-2 victory over the Pirates. He struck out seven.

Solo shots by Oneil Cruz in the fifth inning and Jared Triolo in the seventh accounted for all the damage off Rodriguez. The 24-year-old right-hander has had a sizzling start to the season, posting a 16:3 K:BB through his first 12.1 innings with a 2.19 ERA, and while he's served up three homers, all three have come with the bases empty. After giving up 16 home runs in 122 innings as a rookie last year, Rodriguez's ability to keep the ball in the park might be the only thing that holds him back in 2024.

Siri went 0-for-2 with three walks, a run scored and a stolen base in Friday's 10-7 loss to the Rockies.

It was an impressive display of patience from Siri, who had just a 5.5 percent walk rate in 2023. The 28-year-old outfielder has started every game for the Rays so far in center field due to his elite defense, but he's added some fantasy value with his bat as well with a homer, four steals, two RBI, four runs and a .375 OBP. He's never stolen more than 14 bases in a big-league season, but if he keeps getting on base at an elevated rate, he'll have plenty of opportunity to shatter that mark.

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.

Littell came away with a no-decision in Friday's 10-7 loss to the Rockies, allowing one run on five hits over five innings. He struck out five without walking a batter.

The right-hander pounded the strike zone at Coors Field, firing 52 of 69 pitches for strikes, and Littell left the mound with the Rays nursing a 2-1 lead before things got wacky in the late innings. After a solid finish to the 2023 campaign in the Tampa Bay rotation, Littell has been even better to begin the current campaign, posting a 0.82 ERA through his first 11 innings with an 11:2 K:BB. He lines up to make his next start on the road against the Angels next week.

Abreu is not in the starting lineup Friday against the Angels.

Abreu got the start in right field Wednesday against the Athletics and went 1-for-3 while batting ninth. Tyler O'Neill will start in right field and bat fifth Friday against Angels right-hander Griffin Canning.

Sears didn't factor into the decision Friday, allowing four runs on six hits and a walk over 5.2 innings against the Tigers. He struck out two.

Sears looked good early, facing the minimum through his first three innings. However, Matt Vierling led off the fourth with a solo home run before Detroit tacked on two more runs with three consecutive hits. While his final line wasn't great, it was an improvement for Sears after he gave up five runs in just 3.2 innings in his first start. The left-hander sports an unsightly 8.68 ERA with a 1.61 WHIP and two strikeouts through his first 9.1 innings this season.

Lowe (oblique) took part in batting practice Friday, Jeff Wilson of RangersToday.com reports.

Lowe started the season on the 10-day injured list after being diagnosed with a right oblique strain in spring training. Rangers manager Bruce Bochy noted that Lowe will likely face live pitching in the next few days, per Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News, so a minor-league rehab assignment doesn't appear far off.

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.

Skubal didn't factor into the decision Friday against Oakland, allowing four runs on four hits and two walks over 6.1 innings. He struck out nine.

Skubal was dominant through the first five innings Friday, holding the A's scoreless while racking up seven strikeouts. However, the left-hander would allow a two-run homer to Brent Rooker in the sixth before Oakland tacked on two more runs in the seventh, costing Skubal his second win of the season. While fatigue may have been a factor, he still generated an impressive 16 whiffs overall. After blanking the White Sox on Opening Day, Skubal sports a 2.92 ERA with 15 strikeouts and just two walks through his first 12.1 innings this year.