MLB Player News

Heaney escaped with a no-decision in Saturday's 9-2 loss to the Astros, allowing two runs on four hits and four walks over 3.2 innings. He struck out only one.

The veteran southpaw also plunked Jose Altuve and uncorked a wild pitch, throwing only 42 of 79 pitches for strikes before his exit, and Houston had runners in scoring position in the first and third innings before finally breaking through for two runs in the fourth. Heaney's had a shaky start to his 2024 campaign, posting a 6.75 ERA, 1.58 WHIP and 10:7 K:BB through 12 innings over three outings, and he has yet to last five frames in a start. With the Rangers close to adding Michael Lorenzen (neck) to the big-league roster and Cody Bradford pitching very well, there's no guarantee Heaney keeps his spot in the rotation.

Hancock (1-2) took the loss against the Cubs on Saturday, allowing two runs on four hits and no walks while striking out four batters over six innings.

Hancock allowed a run in each of the second and third frames but otherwise pitched very well, registering his first quality start of the campaign. However, Seattle's offense managed just an unearned run against talented Cubs rookie Shota Imanaga, resulting in Hancock taking his second loss. Hancock will nonetheless look to build upon this promising outing after being battered for eight runs over 3.1 innings against Milwaukee in his previous start.

Rodriguez allowed one run on four hits and two walks while striking out six over 3.2 innings in a no-decision against the Rockies on Saturday.

The right-hander threw 68 pitches in his major-league debut, and the extent of the damage was a Brenton Doyle solo homer in the third inning. Rodriguez induced 12 swinging strikes while mixing in hesitations to his delivery and playing with different arm angles, as noted by Keegan Matheson of MLB.com. Blue Jays manager John Schneider praised Rodriguez's performance after the game, saying the 27-year-old was "electric" and that the team "couldn't have asked for much more." Rodriguez makes for an interesting pickup in fantasy with the assumption that he's sticking in the starting rotation, though the team may continue to limit his pitch count for the time being given Rodriguez didn't pitch professionally in 2023 after defecting from Cuba.

Poteet was returned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre by the Yankees on Saturday.

Poteet was up as the 27th man for a doubleheader versus the Guardians and dazzled as the starter of the second game, tossing six innings of one-run ball with four strikeouts. It was his first outing in the majors since July of 2022, and he surely earned another look down the line, but for now Poteet will rejoin the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre rotation.

Criswell took a no-decision in Saturday's 7-2 win over the Angels, permitting two runs on five hits and a walk over four innings. He struck out four.

Taylor Ward's two-run blast in the third inning represented the lone damage off Criswell. He needed 83 pitches to cover his four frames, which kept him from going long enough to qualify for a victory. Criswell is slated to receive at least one more start while Nick Pivetta (elbow) recuperates, and it's currently lined up to be against the Guardians.

Canning (0-2) was dealt a loss Saturday in Boston, allowing seven runs (six earned) on nine hits and no walks over four innings. He struck out six.

Canning didn't issue a walk in addition to notching six strikeouts, but for the third straight start he didn't pitch deep into the game. He's going in the wrong direction in that regard, too, as the five innings he went in his first outing of the season remains his longest start. The home run ball has been an issue for Canning, who has served up five of them in 13.2 frames. He's tentatively lined up to face the Rays on the road his next time out.

Boyle (1-2) suffered a tough-luck loss Saturday versus the Nationals. He yielded one run on five hits and one walk while striking out five in five innings of work.

Just one free pass from the big right-hander was an encouraging development after he surrendered seven of them across his first two outings. He nonetheless was dealt his second loss, as the Athletics offense was unable to do much against MacKenzie Gore and the Nationals bullpen. Boyle has 15 strikeouts over 12.2 frames this season, but unless he can string together multiple outings like this one where his control is adequate, the downside will likely continue to outweigh the upside.

Alexander will serve as a bulk reliever for the Rays on Sunday against the Giants, Ryan Bass of Bally Sports Sun reports.

Shawn Armstrong will handle opener duties before handing things over to Alexander. The left-handed Alexander has had a rough go of it so far in his first season in Tampa Bay, permitting nine earned runs on 14 hits through 9.1 innings.

Marsh (2-0) earned the win over the Mets on Saturday, allowing four runs on five hits and one walk over five innings. He struck out two batters.

The Mets got to Marsh for four runs in the first three innings, but he ended his day with a couple scoreless frames, and the Kansas City offense provided more than enough support to power him to the win. Marsh has allowed just one home run through three starts this season -- Pete Alonso's long ball Saturday -- and the right-hander has a serviceable 4.32 ERA and 1.08 WHIP despite having only 10 strikeouts through 16.2 innings. He's firmly in the streaming mix but will make for a tough call next week in a projected home start against the Orioles.

Crochet (1-2) took the loss to the Reds on Saturday, allowing five runs on four hits and three walks over 4.2 innings. He struck out 10.

Crochet was close to getting out of the second inning with only a couple earned runs allowed, but he had a few borderline calls go against him with two outs, and Spencer Steer cashed in with a three-run double. It was still an impressive performance in terms of whiffs, and through four career starts Crochet has a 3.57 ERA, 0.84 WHIP and 31:4 K:BB in 22.2 innings. His transition to the starting rotation has gone about as well as anyone could have hoped for to date, but the team context is a mark against him, and his schedule doesn't get any easier in the short term with a trip to Philadelphia on tap for next week.