MLB Player News

Price managed the Reds from 2014 through 201 and has spent the last two season as a senior advisor to the Padres’ coaching staff. Last year, the Giants used 13 different pitchers to start games with a National League-leading 30 by openers (starts of three innings pitched or fewer, with one or fewer runs allowed). Giants president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi said the team “might use openers when needed, but that is not their goal.” Presumably, Kyle Harrison, Keaton Winn, and Ross Stripling could be in line for more win opportunities if this change in philosophy sticks.

Lowe suffered the injury as he swung on a single in the fifth inning and immediately knew that something was wrong. The 27-year-old outfielder acknowledged after the game that the injury is likely to sideline him for a while. He’ll undergo an MRI exam on Saturday to determine the severity, but expect him to land on the injured list.

Cruz obliterated a back-door slider off of Connor Gillispie deep into the right field stands for his first long ball of the season. He made it look effortless as his top hand flew off the bat, but it still left the park in about 0.1 seconds. Two of his other balls in play were also hit hard and very easily could’ve wound up being hits. His talent and physical tools are tantalizing and a game like this where he hits a missile and steals a base reminds us of how high his ceiling truly is.

There’s been a lot of fanfare regarding the Pirates’ closer role and things reached a fever-pitch after their collective bullpen (and defensive) implosion against the lowly Marlins on opening day. Then, Bednar walked Matt Mervis to start this inning and promptly gave up a home run to Otto Lopez on the very next pitch. He did bear down to complete the save, but there’s no telling if he gets the next chance to close.

Keller attacked a left-handed-heavy Marlins lineup with tons of fastballs in the strike zone. He’s had a tendency to nibble in the past, so it was nice to see him go right at them. Also notable, Keller really leaned on his new kick-change – a popular changeup variant that has swept across the league – and used it as his second most frequent offering against lefties after barely throwing any type of changeup last season. The Marlins are an offense to target this season when pitchers are scheduled to face them and Keller took care of business in this one. He’s scheduled to face the Rays in his next start.

Lopez took David Bednar deep in the ninth inning to bring his Marlins within one run, but it was too little too late. Never known for his power, Lopez’s strong defense should be enough to keep him in the lineup every day without much meaningful competition for playing time in Miami. He’s only worth a look in the deepest of leagues though.

The Marlins called on Gillispie to make the first start of his MLB career. He flashed a lively fastball and plus slider, but struggled with his command. That got him caught in too many long at-bats which drove up his pitch count. It wasn’t a bad start though and would’ve been a very good start if he didn’t try to sneak a back-door slider to Oneil Cruz that he sent into the right field seats. Gillispie is someone to keep an eye on with a stable rotation spot and great home ballpark if he can find some consistency with his secondary pitches, especially against lefties. He’s scheduled to face the Mets at home in his next start.

The 31-year-old right-hander had inked a minor league deal with the Mets in mid-February. It’s unclear if he has another opportunity already lined up, or if he just wanted to ability to explore the open market. Overton has had some success at the game’s highest level, so he shouldn’t have any trouble finding another team willing to give him a chance.

The 30-year-old hurler was removed from the team’s 40-man roster on Wednesday, but this time he passed through waivers unclaimed. Assuming he accepts the outright assignment, Martinez will add some quality bullpen depth at the Triple-A level for the Marlins.

Torkelson had a huge Opening Day for the Tigers — blasting a solo home run and walking four times — so it’s good to see him earn the trust of manager A.J. Hinch and remain in the lineup against right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto on Friday night. If what he did during Grapefruit League play wasn’t a mirage, he may wind up being one of the best overall values of the 2025 fantasy season.

The 30-year-old backstop has started each of the team’s first three games, so it’s not hugely surprising to see him get a night off. He should be back in there for Saturday’s series finale. Austin Barnes will start in his place on Friday night and will bat ninth against former battery-mate Jack Flaherty.