MLB Player News

Brown took a no-decision Saturday, permitting one unearned run over four innings against the Yankees.

The only damage the Yankees managed against Brown came when they scored on a Jose Abreu fielding error. They made him work, though, as Brown wasn't able to go beyond four innings because he threw 88 pitches. The right-hander fanned five batters on the day, picking up eight whiffs. Brown had issues in the second half last season, particularly with the home run ball as he served up a whopping 17 in 61.2 frames after the break. Keeping the ball in the park as he did Saturday could certainly lead to more consistency in 2024.

Stroman (1-0) picked up the win in Saturday's 5-3 win over Houston, allowing three unearned runs on four hits and two walks over six innings. He struck out four.

The Astros plated two runs in the second inning following an Oswaldo Cabrera error and added another in the fifth on errors from Anthony Volpe and Stroman. The right-hander was sharp, though, picking up 13 swinging strikes on his 101 pitches as he won his first start in pinstripes. Stroman is lined up to face the Blue Jays at home in his next outing.

Kikuchi (0-1) took the loss to the Rays on Saturday, allowing three runs on six hits and three walks while striking out four over 4.1 innings.

One of the three runs charged to Kikuchi crossed the plate after he exited the game, but it was a middling performance, which doesn't inspire much confidence with a trip to New York to face the Yankees coming up this week. Kikuchi gave up a homer to Randy Arozarena and then a single to Isaac Paredes to get the hook with just one out in the fifth inning. The left-hander took a big step forward last season with a career-best 3.86 ERA and there should be plenty of better days ahead in 2024, but there will also likely be more days like Saturday where he just doesn't have his good stuff.

Littell (1-0) earned the win over the Blue Jays on Saturday, allowing four hits and two walks over six scoreless innings. He struck out six.

It wasn't the most dominant outing in terms of swings and misses (11), but Littell got the whiffs when he needed them with two strikes. A waiver claim by the Rays last May after the Red Sox designated him for assignment, Littell has somehow turned himself into a viable No. 3 starter for Tampa Bay, though fantasy managers will face a tough decision this upcoming week with a trip to notoriously hitter-friendly Coors Field on tap.

Verlander (shoulder) will throw a live batting practice session Monday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

The plan for Monday's batting practice is for Verlander to throw three innings and around 50 pitches. If that goes well, the veteran right-hander would begin his rehab assignment as he works his way back to the Astros' rotation.

Gipson-Long (groin) will throw in a simulated game Tuesday in Lakeland, Fla., Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Gipson-Long has been battling a left groin strain he sustained in the first week of spring training. He was placed on the 15-day injured list Thursday, and he will participate in his first simulated game Tuesday. Gipson-Long made four starts for the Tigers towards the end of the 2023 season, finishing 1-0 with a 2.70 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 26:8 K:BB over 20 innings.

Urquidy (forearm) played catch Friday, marking the first time he's done so since his injury, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Urquidy was removed from a minor-league game March 15 due to a right forearm strain, and he was placed on the team's 15-day injured list March 28. The plan is for Urquidy to play catch again Sunday while the team monitors him.

Gausman will start Sunday's game against the Rays in Tampa Bay, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.

The Blue Jays were debating whether to start Gausman or Bowden Francis on Sunday. Gausman convinced the team that he is good to go by fanning seven over three-plus innings in a Grapefruit League game Monday, then completing a bullpen session Friday. That means Francis will move back to Monday's series opener in Houston. A bout of shoulder fatigue disrupted Gausman's spring training, but he progressed quickly enough to avoid the injured list to open 2024, and it looks like he will have a full first half to make his case for a third All-Star selection in four years.

Means (forearm) will begin his rehab assignment Sunday with Triple-A Norfolk.

Means didn't pitch in spring training, so he'll continue ramping up in the minors. He had a flare-up with his surgically repaired left elbow in October, putting him behind in the spring. Means is likely to need just about all of his 30-day rehab window to get up to speed, so his major-league season debut should be expected in mid-to-late April if he avoids setbacks.

Twins president of baseball operations Derek Falvey revealed Saturday that DeSclafani will be out for the season after undergoing flexor tendon surgery on his right elbow, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

The silver lining is that DeSclafani did not undergo Tommy John surgery, but the right-hander will be sidelined for the season. DeSclafani experienced right elbow soreness at the beginning of March, and while he was able to throw some bullpen sessions and a minor-league game, he will ultimately not play in 2024. Louie Varland is now cemented as the Twins' fifth starting pitcher.