MLB Player News

Williams allowed two earned runs over an inning of relief in Friday's 6-1 loss to the Pirates.

Williams allowed just one earned run all season en route to being named NL Rookie of the Year in 2020, but he has now given up at least one earned run in three of his four appearances in 2021. A late start to the spring could be the primary cause of his issues. According to Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, in an effort to build Williams up, manager Craig Counsell is going to use him on a more regular basis for the time being, as opposed to only in setup situations in front of closer Josh Hader.

Manager Dusty Baker said Saturday that Taylor's ankle is "severely sprained," Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Taylor rolled his ankle while fielding a bunt in the bottom of the eighth inning Friday and had to be carted off the field. He underwent X-rays that came back negative, but he'll still likely spend time on the injured list as a result of his severe sprain. In his first seven relief appearances this season, Taylor has posted a 6.75 ERA and 1.88 WHIP in 5.1 innings.

Pivetta will start Saturday against the White Sox, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

Pivetta's scheduled start Friday was rained out, and he will take the mound for Saturday's late afternoon contest. The right-hander's won his first two starts, benefitting from pitching when the Red Sox's hitters broke out after being swept by the Orioles in the opening series of the season.

Valdez gave up a hit and struck out one in a scoreless ninth inning Friday to record his third save of the season in a 5-2 win over the Rangers.

The journeyman continues to get the job done as closer for the O's. Valdez has two wins through six appearances in addition to his saves, and his 1.23 ERA and 1.09 WHIP are backed up by a 7:1 K:BB through 7.1 innings. At some point the league might figure out his baffling changeup, but until that happens Valdez will handle a high-leverage role.

Lopez (1-2) picked up the win Friday, giving up two runs on two hits and a walk over five innings in a 5-2 victory over the Rangers. He struck out eight.

Both runs off the right-hander came on solo shots, but otherwise Lopez was sharp, throwing 49 of 75 pitches for strikes before exiting. Despite the strong outing and a 17:5 K:BB through 13.2 innings, he has a 8.56 ERA thanks to a 3.3 HR/9. With the O's having a couple off days coming up, it's not clear when Lopez will take the mound next.

Hoffman (2-1) picked up the win in Friday's 10-3 rout over Cleveland, allowing one run on seven hits and three walks over six innings while striking out four.

The right-hander found out earlier this week he would remain in the rotation after the return of Sonny Gray, and Hoffman celebrated with his first quality start of the season, tossing 58 of 91 pitches for strikes. He'll look to keep rolling in his next outing Thursday, at home against the Diamondbacks.

Pressly allowed one hit to the lone batter faced in Friday's 6-5 loss to the Mariners.

Houston's bullpen made a mess over the final third of the game, and manager Dusty Baker turned to Pressly to bail out the team in the ninth inning with none out and two on. He made a poor pitch to Ty France, who crushed an opposite-field double to plate the winning run in walkoff fashion. Pressly has allowed at least one hit in all five appearances but has not surrendered a run over five innings.

Weathers did not factor in the decision against the Dodgers on Friday, hurling 3.2 scoreless innings and allowing one hit and two walks while striking out three.

In his first major-league start, Weathers mostly stifled a potent Dodgers offense, though an elevated pitch count -- he threw 79 pitches, 46 of which were strikes -- prevented the rookie from getting past the fourth frame. It remains to be seen whether Weathers will get another chance in the rotation with Dinelson Lamet (elbow) close to returning to the rotation, but Weathers' effectiveness so far this season should at least allow him to remain in the bullpen. Across 9.2 innings, the southpaw has allowed only one run while striking out 10.

Young (0-3) was credited with the loss Friday against the Nationals after allowing one run on one hit while striking out one across 1.1 innings.

Young retired the side in order during the eighth inning and stayed for the ninth, but he couldn't get the job done and was punished by Kyle Schwarber, who blasted a mammoth walkoff homer deep to right field. The 27-year-old left-hander has endured a rough start to the season, allowing runs in four of his six appearances thus far.

Hand (1-0) earned the win Friday against Arizona after pitching a scoreless inning, allowing one hit and striking out one.

Hand had to keep the game scoreless in the top of the ninth and that's exactly what he did, as he tossed 11 of his 17 pitches for strikes en route to posting his fourth straight scoreless outing of the campaign. The 31-year-old left-hander has gone 1-for-1 in save opportunities but has also been reliable every time Washington has needed him.