MLB Player News

Duran picked up the save Thursday against the Rangers, allowing one hit and no walks in two-thirds of an inning. He struck out one.

A three-run ninth inning for Texas opened the door for a save situation, allowing the hard-throwing right-hander to enter the game and shut the door for his first save of the season. Duran is set up as Philadelphia's primary closer to open the campaign, after he dazzled a year ago with a 2.18 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 27:1 K:BB across 20.2 regular-season frames after being acquired by the Phillies at the trade deadline.

The Athletics announced Thursday that Hoglund has been diagnosed with a lumbar spine strain.

The back injury is apparently the bigger issue for Hoglund, who also missed time during spring training with a knee injury. The right-hander was officially placed on the 15-day injured list this week and will miss at least the first couple weeks of the season. Hoglund made his MLB debut last year, registering a 6.40 ERA, 1.52 WHIP and 23:11 K:BB across 32.1 innings.

Eovaldi (0-1) took the loss Thursday against the Phillies, allowing five runs on eight hits and no walks in 4.2 innings. He struck out seven.

It wasn't Eovaldi's finest performance versus a formidable Phillies lineup, as he yielded three extra-base hits, including two home runs. Additionally, the veteran right-hander matched his season-worst marks in runs and hits allowed from 2025. Eovaldi, who was able to throw 80 pitches in his season debut, will be trying to right the ship and further up his pitch count in Baltimore against the Orioles for his second scheduled start of the season next week.

Murakami went 1-for-2 with a solo home run and two walks in Thursday's 14-2 loss against the Brewers.

Murakami made a great impression in his big-league debut, reaching base three times and launching a 384-foot solo shot to lead off the ninth inning for his first career MLB home run. The 26-year-old also showed strong plate discipline, drawing two walks in the contest and looking comfortable at the plate on a day when Brewers pitchers recorded 20 strikeouts. The homer, which he pulled into the right-field corner, offered an early glimpse of the power that Murakami showcased in Japan, where he hit 246 home runs across eight seasons in Nippon Professional Baseball.

Tawa started at designated hitter and went 1-for-3 in Thursday's 8-2 loss to the Dodgers.

Tawa was a late addition to the starting lineup when Pavin Smith (elbow) was scratched leading up to first pitch. Smith's injury doesn't sound serious, but it could result in more playing time for Tawa in the short term.

Sanchez (1-0) picked up the win Thursday against the Rangers, allowing no runs on three hits and no walks in six innings. He struck out 10.

The All-Star left-hander was excellent in his first outing of the year, holding Texas to a lone extra-base hit and generating 13 whiffs in his eighth career double-digit strikeout performance. It was particularly encouraging to see Sanchez throw 87 pitches, considering he topped out at 50 pitches in his final Grapefruit League start. Sanchez will be trying to keep the good times rolling in his next outing, currently projected for a favorable home matchup next week against the Nationals.

Lawlar started in left field and went 1-for-3 with a double in Thursday's 8-2 loss to the Dodgers.

Lawlar started in the outfield for the first time as a major leaguer. He and Alek Thomas are expected to share left and center field until Lourdes Gurriel (knee) returns from the IL. Lawlar finished up spring training as the No. 9 hitter, but he was moved up to seventh on Opening Day.

Chapman picked up the save Thursday against the Reds, retiring all three batters he faced in the ninth inning.

Although Chapman failed to record a strikeout, he managed to keep the ball in the yard via three flyouts to nail down a save in his first appearance of the campaign. After posting a career-best 1.17 ERA and 0.70 WHIP over 67 regular-season appearances in 2025, the hard-throwing left-hander is locked in as Boston's top closer to begin the season.

Crochet (1-0) picked up the win Thursday against the Reds, allowing no runs on three hits and two walks in six innings. He struck out eight.

The All-Star southpaw found himself in midseason form in his season debut, firing six shutout frames and also notably escaping a bases-loaded jam to close his final frame. Crochet was also able to throw 80 pitches Thursday, and his final start during spring training saw him hurl 89 pitches. He should build up to closer to a full workload in his next start, which is slated to come in Houston next week.

Smith (0-1) took the loss Thursday against the Brewers, allowing four runs (three earned) on three hits and two walks while striking out two over 1.2 innings.

Smith cruised through a scoreless first inning before unraveling in the second, with the damage highlighted by a bases-clearing double from William Contreras. After laboring through 54 pitches and only recording five outs, Thursday marked the shortest outing of the right-hander's young career. After an All-Star rookie campaign in 2025 that saw him hold a 3.81 ERA with 145 strikeouts in 146.1 innings, Smith will look to move past this disastrous performance and return to his previous form in his next scheduled start, which tentatively lines up to come in Miami.