MLB Player News
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Zach Eflin SP | BAL
Rays' Zach Eflin: Logs 6.1 scoreless innings
Eflin didn't factor into the decision Monday, allowing six hits and no walks with five strikeouts over 6.1 innings against the Angels.
Eflin got his revenge against the Angels on Monday, holding them scoreless after allowing five runs in five innings against them on April 8. The 30-year-old has yielded mixed results through four starts, giving up at least five earned runs twice while surrendering one run over 12.2 innings during his other pair of starts. Despite the inconsistencies, Eflin's command has been impeccable, with two walks allowed in 23.1 innings. Eflin's projected for a start against the Yankees on Saturday.
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Michael Lorenzen SP | COL
Rangers' Michael Lorenzen: Earns win in season debut
Lorenzen (1-0) allowed zero runs on three hits while walking five to earn the win in Monday's 1-0 victory over the Tigers. He struck out four.
Lorenzen struggled with his control (46 strikes on 79 pitches), but a five-inning shutout is about as good of a result as the Rangers could have hoped to get from him in his team debut. He was able to end his night on a high note by induced an inning-ending double play in the bottom of the fifth. The veteran righty signed with the Rangers in late March after coming off a career-high 153 innings split between the Tigers and Phillies last season. He'll likely have a longer leash in his next start with Texas, which is expected to come over the weekend in Atlanta.
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Spencer Arrighetti SP | HOU
Astros' Spencer Arrighetti: Better results Monday
Arrighetti (0-2) allowed two runs on four hits and two walks over four innings Monday, striking out five and taking a loss against Atlanta.
Arrighetti let both runs cross home during the second inning in what was otherwise a solid performance. It was a dramatic improvement compared to his MLB debut against Kansas City when he was tagged with seven runs over three frames. Arrighetti forced 15 swinging strikes against Atlanta, including seven with his cutter. With Justin Verlander (shoulder) expected to return this week, Arrighetti will likely head back to Triple-A Sugar Land.
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Louie Varland RP | TOR
Twins' Louie Varland: Saddled with another loss
Varland (0-3) allowed six runs (four earned) on 11 hits over five innings to take the loss Monday against the Orioles. He struck out six.
Varland's five-inning effort did not include a clean inning and included three separate innings in which he allowed two runs, though neither of the runs scored in the first inning were earned. Varland has failed to make it past five innings in any start this year, earning the loss in all three, with Monday's 11 hits allowed representing a career high. Varland won a job in the Twins rotation after having allowed zero runs in the spring but has allowed 13 earned runs over 14 innings thus far for an ERA of 8.36 with a 2.07 WHIP. He'll look to turn things around in his next start, tentatively slated to take place over the weekend in Detroit against the Tigers.
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Cole Irvin RP | LAD
Orioles' Cole Irvin: Finishes one out shy of win
Irvin did not factor into the decision during Monday's win over Minnesota, allowing two runs on six hits over 4.2 innings. He struck out four.
Irvin was sent out for the fifth inning with a chance to put himself in position for the win but was lifted in favor of Dillon Tate following a two-out single by Manuel Margot. Irvin had been held to roughly 80 pitches in each of his first two starts and the same held true Monday as he was pulled after 82. Irvin had allowed nine runs and walked five in his first two starts, so holding the Twins to just a pair of runs with zero walks was a step in the right direction. His next scheduled start is tentatively slated for a weekend matchup in Kansas City against the Royals.
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Seth Lugo SP | KC
Royals' Seth Lugo: Brilliant again in win
Lugo (3-0) earned the win Monday, allowing no runs, four hits and one walk over seven innings against the White Sox. He struck out four.
Lugo looked to be in complete control against a weak White Sox lineup as he scattered four singles and issued only one walk Monday night. The 34-year-old right-hander has been splendid to start the year, posting a 1.05 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 13:6 K:BB over his first 25.2 innings. Lugo is currently scheduled to make his next start against Baltimore at home.
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Nick Nastrini SP | LAD
White Sox's Nick Nastrini: Punches out five in debut
Nastrini (0-1) was the pitcher of record in Monday's 2-0 loss to the Royals, striking out five while allowing two earned runs on three hits and two walks over five innings.
Nastrini held his own against a division rival in his MLB debut, flashing a fastball that averaged 93.6 miles per hour and topped out at 95.2 mph. The 24-year-old rookie generated 11 whiffs en route to his five strikeouts. If Nastrini sticks in the White Sox rotation, his next scheduled start would likely fall during next week's series in Minnesota.
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Chris Bassitt SP | BAL
Blue Jays' Chris Bassitt: Stifles Yankees in win
Bassitt (2-2) earned the win Monday, allowing one run, four hits and two walks over 6.1 innings against the Yankees. He struck out five.
Bassitt cruised to his second win Monday night, relying on an eight-pitch mix to keep Yankees hitters off-balance all evening. The only blemish of the night came in the second inning when Oswaldo Cabrera knocked an RBI-single through the infield. Bassitt is lined up to pitch against the Padres on the road in his next start.
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Luis Gil SP | NYY
Yankees' Luis Gil: Issues seven free passes in loss
Gil (0-1) took the loss Monday against the Blue Jays, allowing three runs on three hits and seven walks over five innings. He struck out six.
Gil struggled to find the strike zone Monday night in Toronto, walking seven batters, equaling a career-high previously set on Sept. 8, 2021, also against the Blue Jays. However, the 25-year-old still flashed his strikeout prowess, punching out six batters and generating 16 whiffs. Gil looks to bounce back in his next start, scheduled against the Rays at home.
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Max Scherzer SP | TOR
Rangers' Max Scherzer: Aiming for early May return
Scherzer (back) threw 25 pitches of live batting practice Monday, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.
Initial evaluations pegged Scherzer to return in June, but the pitcher says he's now eying an early May return. "We're not ready to say a date, but we're looking at early May in being able to come back," Scherzer said. The next step is throwing 40 pitches Friday, and a first rehab start could come as early as next week.