MLB Player News

France (0-1) allowed three runs on eight hits and two walks across 5.2 innings to take a loss Saturday versus the Rangers. He struck out four.

There was traffic on the bases all night against France, but he was pulled in the sixth one out shy of a quality start with the game tied 2-2 at the time. Reliever Bryan Abreu gave up a two-out RBI single to add another run to France's line. While he hasn't been bad in either start thus far, France still might need to pitch a little better to avoid being sent to the bullpen or Triple-A Sugar Land when Justin Verlander (shoulder) returns.

Miller (1-1) earned the win Saturday in Milwaukee after he gave up just three hits and one walk across seven scoreless innings. He struck out seven.

The right-hander generated 12 swinging strikes on just 78 pitches, and if the outing came later in the season he may have been allowed to push for a complete game given the low pitch count. Miller surrendered two homers during his season debut against the Red Sox, but just four batters reached base against him Saturday. The 25-year-old lines up to take on the Cubs in Seattle next weekend.

Ryan (0-1) took the loss Saturday, giving up three runs on five hits over six innings as the Twins fell 3-1 to the Guardians. he struck out seven without walking a batter.

The right-hander made only one real mistake, but it turned into a three-run homer by David Fry in the second inning and that was too big a hole for the Minnesota offense on the afternoon. Ryan was otherwise sharp, firing 60 of 97 pitches for strikes as he delivered his first quality start of the season. He sports a 3.18 ERA and 12:1 K:BB through 11.1 innings, and Ryan lines up to make his next start in Detroit next week.

Carrasco came away with a no-decision Saturday in a 3-1 win over the Twins, allowing one run on one hit and three walks over three innings. He struck out six.

The 37-year-old right-hander avoided hard contact, but he needed 78 pitches (42 strikes) to record only nine outs, forcing the Guardians to use six different relievers to finish off the victory. Carrasco has a 4.50 ERA and 9:4 K:BB through his first eight innings of 2024, and his job security may have improved following the announcement that Shane Bieber (elbow) would miss the rest of the season. Carrasco lines up for a home start against the Yankees next weekend.

Wacha (1-0) picked up the win Saturday versus the White Sox, permitting just two hits and a walk over seven scoreless frames while striking out eight.

Wacha yielded a one-out double to Martin Maldonado in the sixth inning when the game was still scoreless, but that was the only instance all night he encountered an ounce of trouble. The right-hander cruised through his seven innings on 93 pitches, registering 10 swinging strikes along the way. He's struck out 13 and has allowed only five hits in his first 12 innings this season.

Flexen (0-2) took a loss Saturday in Kansas City, allowing three runs on six hits and two walks over 6.1 innings of work. He struck out four.

It was a scoreless tie heading into the bottom of the seventh inning and Flexen was still out there with his pitch count low. However, just three pitches into the frame Flexen had yielded a leadoff single and a two-run homer to MJ Melendez. He was pulled after a one-out walk and watched that runner eventually score to add another run to his ledger. Flexen wound up throwing just 77 pitches over his 6.1 frames and registered a quality start but nonetheless was saddled with his second loss.

Maeda (0-1) took the loss Saturday as the Tigers were downed 4-0 by the A's, giving up three runs on two hits and four walks over 5.2 innings. He struck out three.

The veteran right-hander got tagged for a two-run homer by Brent Rooker in the first inning, and Detroit's offense never responded. Maeda still came close to producing a quality start, but he got the hook after 87 pitches (47 strikes). He sports a 5:5 K:BB through 9.0 innings to go along with a 9.00 ERA, and Maeda lines up to make his next start at home against the Twins next weekend.

Blackburn (1-0) picked up the win Saturday against the Tigers, scattering three hits over six scoreless innings in a 4-0 victory. He struck out four without walking a batter.

The veteran righty didn't allow a runner to get past second base as he fired 59 of 85 pitches for strikes. Blackburn has a pristine 0.00 ERA through 13 innings with a 7:1 K:BB, delivering two straight quality starts to begin his 2024 campaign. While he's been impressive so far, his hot streak may not last too much longer considering he hasn't posted an ERA below 4.28 since his 10-start debut in 2017. Blackburn does line up for a favorable matchup in his next start, however, at home against the Nationals next weekend.

Lewis was placed on the 7-day injured list at Double-A Wichita with a right shoulder impingement, TwinsDaily.com reports.

Lewis was named the Twins' Minor League Pitcher of the Year last season after going 9-4 with a 2.49 ERA and 118:33 K:BB in 101.1 IP between Low-A Fort Myers and High-A Cedar Rapids. It's not a good sign that his 2024 season is starting with an injury, though there are no details on the severity of the issue.

Means (forearm) will get the start for Triple-A Norfolk on Saturday against Charlotte, Steve Melewski of MASNSports.com reports.

Means struggled in his first rehab start Monday, giving up seven runs on six hits and a walk over just one inning. He'll look to have a bounce-back performance Saturday as he works through a left forearm strain that flared up at the start of spring training.