MLB Player News

Alexander (1-0) allowed two runs on six hits and a walk over six innings Sunday, striking out four and earning a win over the Giants.

After Shawn Armstrong threw two frames, Alexander took the mound in the third inning. Alexander allowed one run through his first four innings before coughing up a solo homer in the seventh. It was his longest outing of 2024 and the first time he's allowed fewer than four runs. He lowered his ERA to 6.46 with a 12:5 K:BB through 15.1 frames. Alexander will likely continue working behind an opener or as a back-end starter.

Ober pitched six scoreless innings, allowing three hits while striking out three batters in Sunday's 4-3 loss to the Tigers. He did not factor into the decision.

Ober was in full command Sunday, throwing 58 of his 84 total pitches for strikes while limiting Detroit to two doubles and a single. The right-hander has now combined to pitch 11 innings of one-run ball over his last two starts after allowing nine runs (eight earned) in his first start of the season against the Royals on March 31. Ober will look to build off of the momentum of his last two outings in his next start, which is projected to be Saturday at home against the Tigers.

Ragans allowed five hits and a walk over six shutout frames in a no-decision Sunday. He struck out eight during the loss to the Mets.

Ragans faced a few small threats from the Mets lineup but ultimately cruised through six frames. Despite dropping his season ERA to 1.93 through 23.1 frames, he's still searching for his first win. The 26-year-old southpaw has forced at least 13 whiffs in each of his first four starts, including 15 in Sunday's contest. Ragans' next start is expected to be at home against the Orioles.

Soroka (0-2) took the loss Sunday against the Reds, allowing five runs on five hits and six walks over 4.2 innings. He struck out four.

Four of Soroka's five runs allowed came in an interesting third inning that saw him allow two runs on a home run by Christian Encarnacion-Strand to open the scoring, followed by two more runs scoring later in the inning on an infield single by Jeimer Candelario. The six walks allowed were a career high for Soroka, who now sports a 6.98 ERA, 1.76 WHIP and has 10 strikeouts against 12 walks over 19.1 innings. His next scheduled turn in the rotation is tentatively set for next weekend in a tough matchup against the Phillies in the City of Brotherly Love.

Flaherty pitched 6.1 innings, allowing three runs on six hits and two walks while striking out eight in Sunday's 4-3 win over the Twins. He did not factor into the decision.

Flaherty was tagged for two runs in the second inning before giving up solo homer to Christian Vazquez in the fourth frame, accounting for the final tally on his ledger Sunday. The right-hander was able to pitch into the seventh inning for the first time in 2024, notching a season-high seven punchouts. The performance was his second quality start in three outings this year, and Flaherty will look to keep it up in his next projected start Friday on the road in Minnesota.

Cortes yielded four runs on five hits and a walk over four-plus innings in a no-decision Sunday against Cleveland. He struck out six.

Most of the damage against Cortes on Sunday came via the long ball, as Jose Ramirez and Gabriel Arias both took him deep. The lefty was coming off eight scoreless innings his last time out, and Cortes still owns a respectable 4.50 ERA through four starts despite the hiccup Sunday. On the bright side, he forced a season-high 15 swinging strikes, including eight with the fastball. The 29-year-old's next outing is lined up to be at home against the Rays.

Manager Kevin Cash said Friday that Baz (oblique/elbow) is throwing two-inning live batting practice sessions and "feels good," MLB.com reports.

Baz has dealt with two minor oblique setbacks during his comeback from Tommy John surgery, with the first coming when he picked up a weight in the weight room in early March. He's throwing and continuing to check boxes in his return, but he has never thrown 100 innings in a season and still hasn't begun a rehab assignment, so fantasy managers should be cautious in their optimism. Baz probably won't be ready to return from the 15-day injured list until mid-to-late May, at the earliest.

Anderson (2-1) took the loss Sunday, allowing three runs on four hits and three walks over 4.1 innings against Boston. He struck out four.

Anderson was hit hard by the Red Sox, allowing three extra-base hits, including back-to-back solo home runs to Tyler O'Neill and Triston Casas in the first inning. Prior to Sunday's loss, Anderson had tossed 14.0 scoreless innings, an exceptional start after posting a 5.43 ERA in his first year with the Angels last season. Anderson is tentatively lined up for his next start Friday at Cincinnati.

Allen allowed four runs on six hits and two walks over 5.2 innings against the Yankees in a no-decision Sunday. He struck out four.

Allen worked through two scoreless frames before serving up a three-run tank to Aaron Judge in the third inning. Jose Trevino then tacked on a solo shot in the fourth. Allen gave up two home runs in his season debut but had turned in two straight starts without one before Sunday. He forced only seven whiffs, marking the third straight outing with a single-digit swinging strike total. Allen will carry a 5.06 ERA into his next outing, which is project to be against Oakland.

Bello (2-1) picked up the win Sunday, allowing two runs on six hits and two walks over 5.1 innings against the Angels. He struck out eight.

Bello nearly doubled his season strikeout total Sunday, punching out eight batters after entering the game with 11 total strikeouts through his first three starts. While he surrendered a solo home run to Brandon Drury in the second inning, Bello finished with two earned runs or less for the third time in 2024. The 25-year-old righty is tentatively slated to pitch Friday against the Pirates.