MLB Player News

Burnes (3-0) earned the win Saturday against the Royals, allowing three runs on four hits and one walk over 5.2 innings while striking out four.

Burnes cruised through the first five innings, going 1-2-3 through Kansas City's lineup three times over that stretch as the Orioles provided him with plenty of run support. The only runs he would allow on the day came via a three-run shot off the bat of Salvador Perez in the bottom of the sixth, before the right-hander was then relieved by Danny Coulombe with two outs in the frame. Burnes has now won each of his first three decisions to open the season and now holds a 3.09 ERA in April to go along with an 18:5 K:BB. Perhaps the only downside is that he's now surrendered a home run in four of his five outings.

Sandoval (1-3) took the loss to the Reds on Saturday, allowing seven runs on six hits and five walks over four innings. He struck out six.

The big blow was a grand slam off the bat of Tyler Stephenson in the first inning after Sandoval loaded the bases on a hit and a pair of walks. Sandoval appeared to take a step forward his last time out with five innings of one-run ball against Tampa Bay, but this outing represents two steps backward. He now has a 6.75 ERA, 1.83 WHIP and 24:14 K:BB through 21.1 innings this season.

Berrios (4-0) earned the win Saturday in San Diego after he struck out five and allowed five hits and two walks over six scoreless innings.

The veteran right-hander delivered his fifth straight quality start to begin the season and hasn't given up a run over his past three outings. Berrios has been one of the best pitchers in baseball early in 2024 and now has a 0.85 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 27:9 K:BB across 31.2 innings. He tentatively lines up to face the Royals on the road next week.

Crawford (1-0) picked up the win Saturday, allowing one run on seven hits and three walks over six innings in a 4-2 victory over the Pirates. He struck out six.

The quality start was Crawford's second of the season, but Saturday's outing was the fifth straight in which he gave up one run or less. The right-hander generated a dominant 37 called or swinging strikes among his 100 pitches, and he'll take a stellar 0.66 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 30:11 K:BB through 27.1 innings into his next start, which lines up to come at home next weekend against the Cubs.

Soroka (0-3) took the loss Saturday in Philadelphia, permitting five runs on six hits and three walks over 4.2 innings. He struck out two batters.

Soroka needed a season-high 100 pitches to cover 4.2 shaky innings. The right-hander had a solid start in Kansas City earlier this month, but his other four have all been dreadful. With 15 walks over 24 innings, Soroka's lack of control has been particularly alarming, as he doesn't have the swing-and-miss ability (12 strikeouts) to make up for it. Given how little he's pitched at the major-league level over the last few years, it would be understandable if it takes the former top prospect a while to get his feet under him. That said, this current version of Soroka simply can't be trusted in fantasy leagues.

Blanco came away with a no-decision in Saturday's 5-4 extra-inning loss to the Nationals, allowing two runs on five hits and three walks over six innings. He struck out six.

The right-hander extended his quality start streak to four to begin the season, firing 63 of 98 pitches for strikes, and Blanco was in line for his third win after the Astros took the lead in the top of the seventh while he was still pitcher of record. Unfortunately, Ryan Pressly coughed up that lead in the ninth. Blanco will take a 1.33 ERA, 0.85 WHIP and 22:12 K:BB through 27 innings into his next outing, which lines up for a potentially tough road tilt at Coors Field against the Rockies.

Allen (3-0) did enough for the win Saturday versus the Athletics, allowing three runs on five hits and three walks over 5.1 innings. He struck out four.

It was a bit surprising Allen was even sent back out for the sixth inning, as he needed 84 pitches to cover five frames and his fifth inning was particularly laborious. The lefty was finally pulled after yielding a one-out triple in the sixth, with that runner immediately scoring and getting charged to Allen. The Guardians southpaw holds a 5.06 ERA in five outings and has managed just one quality start, though he still has a spotless 3-0 record.

Wood (0-2) took the loss Saturday in Cleveland, yielding four runs on eight hits and a walk over five frames. He struck out four.

The five innings Wood went in this one is actually tied for his longest outing of the season. He's yielded a whopping 33 hits over 21.2 innings so far, in addition to issuing 11 walks. The Athletics no doubt were hoping Wood could put together a nice few months so they could deal him for a prospect, but he's not going to be attracting any trade interest at this rate.

Olson (0-3) was charged with four runs (two earned) on five hits and two walks over five innings in a losing effort against the Twins on Saturday. He struck out four.

Olson fanned two in a scoreless first inning, but the Twins then got to him for runs in the second, third and fifth frames. Only two of the runs were earned, and Olson continues to show flashes with his changeup and breaking pitches, but his fastball has been too hittable and the results remain inconsistent. The 24-year-old will take a 3.80 ERA, 1.45 WHIP and 18:8 K:BB over 21.1 innings into his next start, projected for next weekend at home against the Royals.

Ober (1-1) earned the win over the Tigers on Saturday, allowing one run on two hits and one walk over six innings. He struck out six.

Ober was efficient in turning in his second consecutive quality start, needing only 82 pitches to complete six innings. The right-hander got 14 swings and misses and was rewarded with his first win of the season. Since his disastrous, eight-run blowup against the Royals in his 2024 debut, Ober has allowed just two earned runs over 17 innings in his last three starts, with a 16:3 K:BB in that span. He tentatively lines up for a home matchup against the White Sox next week.