MLB Player News

Flexen (0-3) yielded six runs on seven hits and a walk over 2.2 innings Friday, striking out two and taking a loss against the Reds.

Flexen gave up just one run through the first two frames before the Reds tagged him with five in the third inning. His day was ended after serving up back-to-back home runs to Elly De La Cruz and Tyler Stephenson. Flexen's ERA jumped to 8.78 with a lackluster 7:6 K:BB through three starts. He's projected to face the Royals at home next week.

Francis will be available out of the bullpen Saturday against the Rockies, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

Francis was originally listed as Toronto's starter for Saturday's contest, but the Jays will instead promote Yariel Rodriguez from Triple-A Buffalo to make his MLB debut. It's unclear whether or not Francis' move to the bullpen will be permanent, but after surrendering 12 earned runs through 8.1 innings across his first two starts, he may return to a multi-inning relief role if Rodriguez proves to be an effective big-league starter.

Gausman (0-2) took the loss Friday against the Rockies, allowing six runs on 10 hits over 3.2 innings. He struck out four.

While it was encouraging to see Gausman's average fastball velocity back up to 93.9 mph, his results didn't improve -- the right-hander's now allowed 11 earned runs over just five innings between his last two starts. After a shoulder injury limited him in spring training, Gausman's struggled to an 11.57 ERA with a 1.93 WHIP through his first three starts (9.1 innings) this season. He'll look to get on track in his next outing, though he's currently lined up for a tough home matchup against the Yankees.

Rodriguez will be recalled from Triple-A Buffalo to start Saturday's game against the Rockies, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

Rodriguez will be making his MLB debut Saturday, replacing the struggling Bowden Francis as Toronto's starting pitcher. Rodriguez has thrown 6.1 scoreless innings and struck out 10 batters through two starts with Buffalo. If the 27-year-old righty finds success in his first big-league start, he could end up taking Francis' spot in the Jays' rotation.

Wells (0-2) took the loss Friday against Milwaukie, allowing four runs on six hits and a walk over four innings. He struck out three.

After a clean first inning, Wells allowed three runs on three extra-base hits in the second inning en route to an eventual 11-1 Baltimore loss. It's been a shaky start to the year for the 29-year-old right-hander -- his ERA is up to 5.87 with a 1.37 WHIP and 13:10 K:BB through his first 15.1 innings. Wells is currently in line to face the Twins at home in his next outing.

Houck (2-1) took the loss Friday against the Angels, allowing seven runs (four earned) on 12 hits over 5.2 innings. He struck out two.

After blanking Anaheim through six innings in his last start, Houck faced a very different result the second time around. The Red Sox defense didn't do him any favors either, committing three errors in the contest, as the right-hander took his first loss of the season. Still, it's been a solid start to the year for Houck -- he now sports a 2.04 ERA with a 1.19 WHIP and 19:2 K:BB through his first three starts (17.2 innings). Houck will look to get back in the win column in his next outing, currently scheduled for next week against the Guardians.

Detmers (3-0) earned the win Friday over the Red Sox, allowing three hits and two walks while striking out seven over 6.1 scoreless innings.

It was another excellent outing from Detmers, who's held opponents to one run or fewer while striking out at least seven in each of his first three starts. The 24-year-old southpaw lowered his ERA to a stellar 1.04 with a 0.81 WHIP and 26 strikeouts, tied for second most in the majors, through 17.1 innings. Detmers looks poised to take a significant step forward after posting a mediocre 4.48 ERA in 28 starts last season. He's currently in line to face the Rays on the road in his next outing.

Bieber underwent Tommy John surgery on his right elbow Friday, Tom Withers of the Associated Press reports.

Bieber's procedure will officially close the book on his 2024 campaign after he made just two starts, striking out 20 batters across 12 scoreless innings. His absence will likely extend several months into the 2025 campaign.

Verlander (shoulder) will make his second rehab start Saturday for Double-A Corpus Christi, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Verlander made his first rehab start with Triple-A Sugar Land on April 7. He was able to go three innings and struck out six batters, but he also allowed seven runs (six earned) on seven hits and a walk. He reported no issues with his shoulder though, and he will now look to build up his workload Saturday.

Tigers manager A.J. Hinch announced Manning will be recalled from Triple-A Toledo to start the second game of Saturday's doubleheader against the Twins, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

The announcement is hardly a surprise, as Manning was scratched from his scheduled start with Toledo on Wednesday in preparation of a postponement. The right-hander made his season debut April 4 against the Mets and didn't allow a hit with four walks and three strikeouts over 5.2 scoreless frames.