

Detroit Tigers reliever Jason Foley picked up the save in a 1-0 win over the White Sox on Thursday. It was Foley who entered the game with one out in the bottom of the ninth, not the team's projected closer Alex Lange, with Foley striking out the only two batters he faced. Lange had his share of struggles last season and his grip on the closer role was tenuous, but neither pitcher had much success this spring. It's unclear at this point why Lange didn't pitch, as offseason additions Shelby Miller and Andrew Chafin also got work in Thursday's game. Regardless, it seems Jason Foley could be in line for additional save opportunities after Thursday's performance and will be a popular waiver wire add.


Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Tarik Skubal earned the win in Thursday's 1-0 Opening Day victory over the White Sox. Skubal allowed three hits and no walks while striking out six batters in six innings of work. After a dominant 2023, expectations for the 27-year-old were sky-high, and the lefty delivered in his first outing of the 2024 season. His next turn could come next Wednesday against the Mets in New York as he looks to make good on his NFBC ADP of 50th overall.


The Baltimore Orioles' prized offseason acquisition and Opening Day starter Corbin Burnes tossed six innings of scoreless ball on Thursday, securing the win in an 11-3 victory over the Angels. The three-time All-Star struck out 11 batters and didn't allow a walk. The only blemish was a solo homer given up in the first inning to future Hall of Famer Mike Trout. Sometimes it plays out just the way you drew it up -- the O's get off on the right foot in their defense of last year's American League East division title, and Burnes rewards fantasy managers who spent a second-round pick on the 29-year-old with a masterful start to the season. Burnes' next start could come at home next Wednesday against the Royals.


Minnesota Twins third baseman Royce Lewis (quadriceps) was taken out of the game in the third inning of Thursday's Opening Day matchup against the division-rival Kansas City Royals. The 24-year-old came up limping as he rounded third on a Carlos Correa double. At least it's not his surgically repaired knee, but this is certainly not good news, especially for someone with his injury history. Lewis ended last season on a roll and started 2024 off with a bang, hitting a home run in his first at-bat of the season and followed that up with a single before being pulled from the game. We'll expect to find out the extent of the injury after the game.


Philadelphia Phillies right-hander Taijuan Walker (shoulder) is opening the season on the 15-day injured list with an impingement in his right shoulder. Walker doesn't need an injection or an MRI exam, though, and is hoping he doesn't have to miss much time. The 31-year-old felt discomfort while throwing a bullpen session last weekend and has been shut down since. With Walker starting the year on the shelf, it has opened up a starting rotation spot for Spencer Turnbull in Philly. Walker, the former 43rd overall pick in 2010 by the Seattle Mariners, went 15-6 last year in his first season with the Phils and had a 4.38 ERA and 1.31 WHIP with 71 walks and 138 strikeouts in 172 2/3 innings over 31 starts. He was fortunate to have those numbers, though, with below-average walk and strikeout rates.
