MLB Player News

Heaney (0-3) took the loss Thursday, allowing four runs on five hits and no walks over six innings against the Mariners. He struck out seven.

Although Heaney only gave up five hits, three went for extra bases, including two-run home runs by Luis Urias and Ty France. Heaney's now surrendered multiple long balls in back-to-back starts. While Thursday's start marked Heaney's first time pitching into the sixth, he's allowed multiple runs in all but one outing this year. He's tentatively scheduled for a matchup with the Nationals next week.

Castill0 (2-4) picked up the win Thursday, allowing two runs on four hits and two walks over six innings against the Rangers. He struck out six.

Castillo had issues keeping the ball inside the park Thursday, allowing solo home runs to Nathaniel Lowe and Josh Smith in the first and fourth innings, respectively. He's now allowed a long ball in four of his six outings this season but has churned out three straight quality starts. During that stretch, Castillo owns a 1.89 ERA and a 24:3 K:BB across 19 innings.

Woods Richardson gave up two runs on seven hits and one walk over five innings in Thursday's win over the White Sox, but he didn't factor in the no-decision. He struck out six.

Woods Richardson pitched well enough to likely keep him in the rotation for at least another start or two as the Twins look for a fifth starter. He's shown increased velocity this season with an average 93.2-mph fastball, which is up nearly three ticks from last season. The 23-year-old has given up just three runs with an 11:2 K:BB across 11 innings through two starts.

Verlander didn't factor into the decision Thursday, allowing three hits and four walks with seven strikeouts over 4.1 scoreless innings against the Cubs.

Verlander couldn't complete five innings Thursday, getting pulled after 95 pitches. His inefficiency and lack of control led to four walks, but he kept each baserunner from reaching home plate. Through two starts Verlander owns a 1.74 ERA with 11 strikeouts across 10.1 innings. A matchup with the Guardians likely awaits next week.

Berrios (4-1) took the loss Thursday against Kansas City, allowing two runs on three hits and three walks with a strikeout over five innings.

All of the damage against Berrios came via a Salvador Perez two-run home run in the first inning. Berrios failed to complete six innings for the first time this season, an impossible task considering Thursday's game was called due to rain after five frames. The outing snapped Berrios's scoreless inning streak that spanned 21.2 innings. He's tentatively scheduled for another start against the Royals early next week.

Ragans (1-2) earned the win Thursday against the Blue Jays, allowing one run on three hits and three walks over five innings. He struck out four.

Ragan technically pitched a complete game Thursday, with the outing being called after five innings due to rain. Regardless of the shortened game, Ragans managed to bounce back from a horrific start against the Orioles on Apr. 20 and got in the win column for the first time this season. Outside of his start against Baltimore, Ragans owns a 1.91 ERA with 33 strikeouts across 28.1 innings pitched. He's tentatively scheduled for a rematch with the Blue Jays in Toronto early next week.

Clevinger allowed one earned run on four hits and two walks while striking out three across 3.1 innings Thursday with Triple-A Charlotte, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Clevinger is ramping up his workload after signing with the White Sox a few days after the season began. He threw 60 pitches in his appearance Thursday and will increase his workload to 75 pitches in his next outing, which will also come with Charlotte. Assuming all goes well, Clevinger's third appearance of the campaign will come in the majors -- setting him up to debut around May 5.

The Astros are optioning France to Triple-A Sugar Land ahead of their trip to Mexico City on Saturday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

France is being optioned to clear a spot for Framber Valdez, who will start Sunday. In France's last outing Tuesday, he took the loss while allowing five runs on five hits and four walks over five innings against the Cubs. The 29-year-old has now given up multiple home runs in consecutive starts. The move prompts questions about how the Astros rotation lines up going forward.

McKenzie did not factor into the decision Thursday against Boston, allowing two runs on six hits and two walks over four innings. He struck out seven.

McKenzie had to deal with traffic throughout Thursday's outing, though he was ultimately able to mitigate the damage thanks to a season-high seven strikeouts. He'd fail to qualify for a win, however, only making it through four innings after throwing 75 pitches, as Cleveland continues to monitor the 26-year-old's workload after he made just four starts in an injury-plagued 2023 campaign. Overall, McKenzie is 2-2 with a 4.91 ERA, 1.68 WHIP and 18:17 K:BB through four starts (22 innings) this season.

Blue Jays manager John Schneider said Thursday that Manoah (shoulder) is likely to make another rehab start with Triple-A Buffalo, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Manoah was roughed up for six runs on seven hits and four walks over three innings in his latest start with Buffalo on Wednesday. Three of his four rehab outings have been poor, and overall batters have hit .406/.474/.703 off Manoah. He does not appear close to being ready to help out the major-league club. Per Kaitlyn McGrath of The Athletic, Manoah's 30-day rehab assignment runs out May 6, although if the club doesn't feel he's ready to join the MLB rotation at that point, he could still be activated from the IL and optioned back to Triple-A.