MLB Player News

Pepiot (1-2) took the loss against the Giants on Saturday, allowing four runs on five hits and one walk while striking out six over five innings.

Pepiot got off to a bit of a rough start but was able to limit the damage early, allowing one run in the first inning while needing 24 pitches to get through the frame. He then went on to retire eight of the next nine batters he faced before surrendering a solo homer to Thairo Estrada with two outs in the top of the fourth. It was one of two home runs allowed on the day for Pepiot, and he's now given up at least four runs in two of his first three starts to open the season. On a positive note, Pepiot has produced a nice 20:5 K:BB over that early stretch and has gone at least five innings in each outing.

Blanco came away with a no-decision in Friday's 9-2 win over the Rangers, allowing two runs on five hits and three walks over six innings. He struck out five.

The breakout star of the Astros' rotation turned in his worst outing so far in 2024 and gave up his first runs of the year, but he still delivered his third quality start in three trips to the mound. All the damage off Blanco came in the first inning after a pair of two-out walks, but he settled in after that and left the game having thrown 57 of 93 pitches for strikes. The 30-year-old righty sports a 0.86 ERA, 0.71 WHIP and 16:9 K:BB through 21 innings, and he lines up to make his next start in a road tilt against the Nationals next weekend.

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.