MLB Player News

Imanaga (2-1) earned the win Tuesday against the Phillies, allowing one run on three hits and one walk while striking out one over seven innings.

Imanaga turned in his third consecutive quality start Tuesday, limiting Philadelphia to just two hits over his first five innings before Kyle Schwarber's solo homer in the sixth accounted for the only damage. The left-hander continues to excel at run prevention, allowing just three runs across his last four starts (24 innings). Through five outings, he owns a 2.17 ERA, 0.72 WHIP and 32:6 K:BB. Imanaga will face a much tougher challenge in his next scheduled outing against a loaded Dodgers lineup that leads MLB in most offensive categories, including a .293 team batting average.

Williams (0-1) took the loss Tuesday against the Twins, allowing two runs on one hit and three walks without recording an out.

Williams was unable to retire any of the five batters he faced, quickly loading the bases in a tied ninth inning before a single from Luke Keaschall broke the tie. Matt Wallner followed with a bases-loaded walk to force in another run before Williams was pulled. The outing continues a troubling stretch for the right-hander, who has now allowed seven runs while recording just four outs over his last three appearances. Williams ERA has ballooned to 9.95 through eight outings, and the loss extended the Mets' skid to 12 straight games.

Lopez (1-1) took the loss Tuesday against the Nationals, allowing four runs on five hits and three walks with one strikeout across one inning.

Lopez allowed three runs on three hits and three walks in a 46-pitch first inning, as the Nationals batted around. James Wood then led off the second inning with a solo shot ahead of a Luis Garcia single, and Lopez's night was done after 58 pitches. It was Lopez's shortest start since he went two-thirds of an inning in July of 2020. The right-hander now owns a 3.74 ERA and 20:11 K:BB across 21.2 innings to begin the 2026 campaign. Lopez is tentatively scheduled to next take the mound Sunday at home against the Phillies.

Vasquez (2-0) earned the win against the Rockies on Tuesday, allowing three hits while striking out five across seven scoreless innings. He did not issue a walk.

Vasquez made easy work out of the Rockies on Tuesday, at Coors Field no less, tossing 56 strikes among his 84 pitches while generating 12 whiffs. It was a nice bounce-back performance from the 27-year-old right-hander, who struggled in his prior outing Wednesday against the Mariners. It was Vasquez's third quality start of the season (in five outings), and he has a 1.88 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 30:8 K:BB across 28.2 innings. He's lined up to face the Cubs next week at home.

Morejon earned the save in Tuesday's 1-0 win over the Rockies, striking out two batters in a scoreless ninth inning.

Although Mason Miller and the Padres had an off day Monday, manager Craig Stammen opted to go with Morejon to close things out for Tuesday's low-scoring contest. That was likely due to Edouard Julien and Mickey Moniak -- both left-handed batters -- being the first two up to the plate in the frame, and the southpaw Morejon ended up striking out both before getting Hunter Goodman to fly out to center field. Morejon has not yielded a run or a hit in any of his last four outings, striking out seven batters while issuing just one walk over that five-inning span. It's been a nice turnaround from how he opened the season (10.80 ERA and 2.40 WHIP over 6.2 innings).

Backhus will work as Philadelphia's opener Wednesday against the Cubs, Charlotte Varnes of The Athletic reports.

Backhus has made seven appearances for the Phillies this season, giving up four earned runs on seven hits and a walk while striking out nine batters in 6.2 innings. He'll be making his first start in the majors Wednesday and is likely to pitch an inning or two before handing the game over to Taijuan Walker, who is expected to work in bulk relief.

Bowlan (groin) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session with Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Wednesday, per MLB.com.

Bowlan is recovering from a right groin strain, which forced him to the 15-day injured list last week. The right-hander, who holds a solid 3.86 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 8:1 K:BB across seven innings this year, is first eligible to come off the IL ahead of the April 28 series opener versus San Francisco and could be ready to return by then.

Mlodzinski (1-1) took the loss against the Rangers on Tuesday, allowing five runs on six hits and two walks while striking out six across 4.1 innings.

Mlodzinski worked in a long-relief role in his previous outing behind opener Mason Montgomery, but Mlodzinski was on the mound from the get-go in Tuesday's contest. He appeared to settle in after giving up two runs in the second inning, but Mlodzinski was unable to escape the fifth, giving up three runs in the frame while recording just one out. It was the first time this season that he gave up more than two runs in a game, and through five outings this season, he sits at a 3.28 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 26:10 K:BB across 24.2 innings. Mlodzinski will look to bounce back in his next start, which is tentatively slated for this weekend on the road against the Brewers.

Thielbar retired the last two batters in Tuesday's 7-4 win over the Phillies to record the save.

The Cubs started the ninth with a 7-3 lead and deployed Jacob Webb, but he allowed two hits and only recorded one out. That's when Chicago turned to Thielbar to put out the fire with two runners on. The veteran lefty calmly got the job done on just six pitches, and he now has two saves and a win over the last three days. Thielbar is serving as the team's top option for saves with regular closer Daniel Palencia (oblique) on the injured list, and he's performed well in the role.

Alvarado was removed from Tuesday's game against the Cubs with mid-back spasms, Charlotte Varnes of The Athletic reports.

Alvarado gave up one earned run on two hits and a walk in one-third of an inning before his back forced him to come out of the game. It's unknown if he will have to spend time on the IL, though the Phillies could sit him down for a few days as a precaution, regardless of the severity of his injury.