MLB Player News

Rodon did not factor into the decision Wednesday, allowing two runs on seven hits and two walks over 5.1 innings against the Diamondbacks. He struck out three.

Rodon struggled out of the gate, allowing a leadoff double to the first batter he faced and later surrendering solo home runs in the second and fifth innings. Five of the seven hits he allowed on the afternoon went for extra bases, while the veteran lefty also failed to make it through six innings for the second straight start to open the season. On a positive note, Rodon has held his opponents to two or fewer runs in each of those outings.

Stripling (0-2) took the loss Wednesday, allowing one run on eight hits over seven innings against the Red Sox. He struck out three and did not issue any walks.

Stripling managed to hold the Red Sox to one run on the afternoon despite allowing six hits over the first four innings. Still, he would end up being tagged with his second loss as Oakland's offense was shut out for the second time in its last three games. The right-hander has now surrendered 15 hits over his first two starts (12 innings) and things won't get any easier next week when the A's travel to Arlington to take on the reigning World Series champions.

Manoah (shoulder) will begin a rehab assignment Sunday with Single-A Dunedin, Kaitlyn McGrath of The Athletic reports.

Manoah pitched a three-inning simulated game Tuesday at the Jays' spring training facility without any issues, and he's slated to up his workload to four frames in his first rehab start. If Manoah's Single-A outing goes well, his assignment may move to a higher-level affiliate, but the 26-year-old is likely still several rehab appearances away from making his season debut with Toronto.

Civale (1-1) took the loss Wednesday, allowing one run on four hits and two walks over six innings against the Rangers. He struck out eight.

Civale was excellent Wednesday, allowing just a solo home run to Corey Seager in the sixth inning. However, the Rays couldn't get anything going against Nathan Eovaldi on the other side, sticking Civale with his first loss. The 28-year-old right-hander's allowed just two runs in 12 innings through his first two starts, while showing more of a strikeout punch than he has in the past. Civale made 23 starts last year between Tampa Bay and Cleveland, going 7-5 with a 3.46 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 116:33 K:BB. He looks like a dependable fantasy option.

Eovaldi (1-0) earned the win Wednesday, allowing four hits and one walk over seven scoreless innings against Tampa Bay. He struck out eight.

Eovaldi was stellar Wednesday, punching out eight Rays while allowing just two runners to reach second base across seven scoreless frames. The 34-year-old Eovaldi's picked up where he left off last season, allowing two runs in 13 innings while striking out 11 through his first two starts of 2024. He's tentatively lined up for an enticing home matchup with the Athletics in his next outing.

Verlander (shoulder) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Sugar Land on Sunday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Verlander will throw one more bullpen session at Minute Maid Park on Thursday before heading out on his rehab assignment. He's expected to throw around 70-to-75 pitches Sunday for Sugar Land. Astros manager Joe Espada said Wednesday that the team is confident Verlander will need just two rehab starts, which could put him on track to rejoin the rotation as soon as April 17 against Atlanta. Verlander has been working his way back from right shoulder inflammation.

Sandoval (1-1) earned the win Wednesday, allowing two runs on four hits and two walks over 5.2 innings in a 10-2 victory over Miami. He struck out seven.

It was an encouraging outing from Sandoval after the left-hander was tagged for five runs (three earned) in just 1.2 innings in an Opening Day loss. Sandoval held the Marlins to just a pair of third-inning runs while the Angels' offense provided plenty of support in a comfortable win. Sandoval's ERA now sits at 6.14 through two starts after he went 7-13 with a 4.11 ERA, 1.51 WHIP and 128:74 K:BB across 28 outings last season.

Nastrini, who is scheduled to make his first start of the season for Triple-A Charlotte on Wednesday, could be called up to start for the White Sox next Monday in Cleveland, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

The White Sox headed into Opening Day with a four-man rotation, but had the team included a fifth starter on the 26-man roster, Nastrini might have been in line for the spot. Chicago has since addressed its need for rotation depth with the re-signing of Mike Clevinger earlier this week, but because he missed all of spring training, the veteran right-hander could need a week or more to get fully stretched out before he's ready to make his season debut. After a postponement Wednesday, the White Sox will need a fifth starter for the first time this season Monday against the Guardians, and Nastrini would seem to be the most logical choice to fill the opening if manager Pedro Grifol doesn't opt for a bullpen day instead. Even if he gets the nod Monday in what would be his MLB debut, Nastrini may not be in store for additional starts beyond that if Clevinger is ready to pitch by mid-April.

The Tigers plan to call up Manning from Triple-A Toledo to start the second game of Thursday's doubleheader with the Mets, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

Manning wasn't able to secure a spot in the Tigers' Opening Day rotation, but he won't have to wait long to make his first start of the season with the big club. As a result of weather-related postponements on consecutive days, the Tigers and Mets will play a twin bill Thursday in Citi Field, creating a stretch of seven games in six days for Detroit. Manning will be designated as the 27th man for the twin bill and will serve as a temporary sixth starter before likely being optioned back to Toledo immediately following the start against the Mets. Manning looked sharp in his lone outing for Toledo last Friday, striking out seven while pitching five innings of one-run ball.

Spence (0-1) was charged with the loss in extra innings against the Red Sox on Tuesday, allowing one unearned run on one hit over one inning.

Spence got the call in the 11th inning after closer Mason Miller had already thrown 29 pitches over the prior pair of frames. Spence's loss was primarily of the tough-luck variety, as the one run he surrendered came on a Tyler O'Neill double play groundout that scored inning-opening runner Reese McGuire. Spence was effective in his first appearance of the season on Friday against the Guardians, and Tuesday's nearly clean outing shouldn't blemish the perception he could be a reliable multi-inning relief option for manager Mark Kotsay.