MLB Player News

Lovelady was returned to the Royals' alternate training site Saturday.

Lovelady was on the Royals' roster as the 27th man for their doubleheader versus the Blue Jays, but he didn't make an appearance. The 25-year-old southpaw could be called up again should the Royals need depth in the bullpen.

Rodriguez allowed two earned runs on three hits while recording only two outs in the eighth inning in Saturday's loss to the Orioles. He struck out one batter.

Rodriguez made his season debut after being activated from the 10-day injured list Friday. The 29-year-old was unable to get comfortable, allowing the first three batters faced to reach base. Last year, Rodriguez recorded a 2.13 ERA with 17 strikeouts over 12.2 innings.

Pivetta allowed two runs on four hits and four walks while fanning three across 3.2 innings Saturday against the White Sox. He didn't factor into the decision.

Pivetta entered Saturday's start spotting a 11:7 K:BB through his first 11 innings, and it seems the command issues could be here to stay with the right-hander. He has now walked at least three in each of his first three outings of the season and those command issues might be a problem in the long run. It's still early in the season, but he owns a 4.1 BB/9 thus far and that'd be a career-worst mark for him.

Ottavino (2-1) picked up the win in relief Saturday against the White Sox after pitching a scoreless eighth inning. He struck out all three batters he faced.

Ottavino was lights out Saturday, as he tossed 10 of his 12 pitches for strikes while striking out the side -- Yermin Mercedes, Zack Collins and Luis Robert -- with ease. This was Ottavino's best outing of the season by a wide margin, but he has been very inconsistent to begin the year and has given up runs in three of his six appearances to date, which translates to a less-than-appealing 7.71 ERA across 4.2 innings.

Shaw pitched a scoreless inning with one walk and one strikeout to earn a hold in Saturday's 3-2 extra-inning loss to the Reds.

Shaw was the first reliever up after starter Triston McKenzie. The 33-year-old Shaw was able to get through the sixth inning with virtually no trouble. He's done well so far with a 1.50 ERA, 0.67 WHIP and 7:3 K:BB across six innings. The right-hander is likely to see most of his work in the middle innings.

Heuer (1-1) gave up three runs on three hits while striking out four across 1.2 innings Saturday against the Red Sox. He was tagged with the loss.

Heuer was coming off three straight scoreless outings and had allowed just one run across 6.2 innings before Saturday's contest, but the wheels came off and he was roughed up by Boston. As a result, his ERA spiked from 1.35 to 4.32, though one encouraging sign is the fact that he's now on a run of five straight outings while walking anyone.

Lakins (1-0) pitched a perfect seventh inning, striking out one to earn the win against the Rangers on Saturday.

The Orioles took the lead with Lakins on the mound and never looked back. After being called up April 13, Lakins provided three perfect innings in three different relief appearances, striking out three. The 26-year-old has done everything the Orioles have asked him to so far in the big leagues.

Wittgren pitched a scoreless seventh inning with one hit and one strikeout to earn a hold in Saturday's 3-2 extra-inning loss to the Reds.

Wittgren allowed a double to Jesse Winker, but Winker was caught attempting to stretch the hit into a triple. The 29-year-old Wittgren then retired the next two batters for his third hold of the year. He's posted a 7.71 ERA and 1.71 WHIP across 4.2 innings. Despite some shaky moments early in the season, Wittgren remains part of Cleveland's plans in the late innings.

Karinchak pitched a perfect inning with three strikeouts to earn a hold in Saturday's 3-2 extra-inning loss to the Reds.

Karinchak was in full control Saturday, needing just 11 pitches to complete the eighth inning. He's been the most effective late-inning reliever for Cleveland lately -- he's allowed just four baserunners over six innings while racking up 11 strikeouts. The right-hander has three holds, a save and a blown save in seven appearances and could see some ninth-inning assignments if Emmanuel Clase struggles. Clase blew a save in the ninth Saturday.

Pressly threw a scoreless ninth inning with one strikeout Saturday against the Mariners to earn his first save of the season.

Fantasy managers no longer have to look at a goose egg from Pressly in the saves column after he closed out a 1-0 win on eight pitches (seven strikes). The Astros are currently down several star players, but Pressly is clearly fine and there will be plenty more save chances for him to come, especially when the team is back at full strength.