MLB Player News

The Orioles recalled Rodriguez from Triple-A Norfolk ahead of his scheduled start Wednesday against the Rangers in Arlington, Dan Connolly of The Athletic reports.

The 23-year-old right-hander will be making his much-anticipated MLB debut Wednesday, stepping into the rotation as a replacement for Kyle Bradish (foot), who was placed on the 15-day injured list in a corresponding move. Though Rodriguez is the Orioles' top pitching prospect and should at least hold down a rotation spot so long as Bradish is on the shelf, he'll likely need to rectify the command and control problems he's shown throughout the spring in order to earn a more permanent stay in the big leagues. Rodriguez failed to win a spot on the Opening Day roster after walking seven batters and surrendering three home runs in 15.1 Grapefruit League innings, and those issues carried over to his lone Triple-A start prior to his call-up. He worked four innings his last time out Friday with Norfolk, striking out two while issuing four walks, throwing a wild pitch and serving up a home run.

German (0-1) took the loss Tuesday as the Yankees fell 4-1 to the Phillies, giving up four runs on four hits over 4.2 innings. He struck out eight without walking a batter.

The strikeouts were impressive and German generated 15 swinging strikes among his 75 pitches, but homers by Kyle Schwarber and Brandon Marsh -- as well as a lack of run support -- stuck the right-hander with the loss. It's still an encouraging first outing of the season, and German will look to build on it in his next start, likely to come this weekend in Baltimore.

Sears didn't factor into the decision Tuesday against the Guardians after allowing three runs in 4.2 innings on eight hits. He walked one and struck out five.

Sears gave up two runs in the fourth inning, including a solo homer to Gabriel Arias. He was pulled in the fifth after surrendering an RBI double to Jose Ramirez, but the Athletics were able to come back to win and prevent Sears from picking up the loss. It also wasn't a very efficient start for the southpaw, as he needed 98 pitches to get his 14 outs. Sears has a scheduled start Monday against the Orioles, but given Tuesday's results, he isn't a particularly appealing fantasy option for that outing.

Bieber allowed three runs on three hits while striking out seven against one walk Tuesday against the Athletics, but he didn't factor into the decision.

Bieber allowed two runs in the third, and another run came across to score in the sixth on a wild pitch. The right-hander has gone six innings in both of his outings this year, and he's picked up two quality starts despite not factoring into either decision. He's scheduled to take the mound again early next week in a matchup with the Yankees.

Bubic (0-1) took the loss Tuesday against the Blue Jays after he gave up two runs on seven hits and one walk over five innings. He struck out four.

The left-hander consistently worked from ahead and threw first-pitch strikes to 16 of the 22 batters he faced, and he also generated 14 swinging strikes. Bubic was saddled with the loss as Kansas City's offense mustered just four hits, but it was still an encouraging first outing of the season. He next lines up to pitch Sunday in San Francisco.

Kikuchi (1-0) earned the win Tuesday at Kansas City after he allowed one run on three hits across five innings. He had two strikeouts and one walk.

The left-hander showed strong command in his season debut, throwing 47 of his 69 pitches for strikes. The improved control is a welcome sign after Kikuchi posted a 5.2 BB/9 last year, which helped lead to his move from the rotation to the bullpen. One outing is hardly a trend, and the 31-year-old will attempt to replicate his strong debut next time out Sunday against the Angels.

Valdez allowed three runs -- two earned -- on eight hits over seven innings in Tuesday's loss to Detroit. He walked one and struck out nine.

Valdez has pitched well in his first two starts of the season, but he hasn't been rewarded with a victory despite giving up a total of two runs in 12 innings (1.50 ERA.) The left-hander threw 66 of 103 pitches for strikes, and outside of Spencer Torkelson -- who drove in three in Tuesday's contest -- the Detroit lineup wasn't able to put much together. Valdez is scheduled to be back on the bump against the Pirates early next week.

Manning (1-0) allowed two runs on six hits across 5.2 innings to earn the win Tuesday against the Astros. He walked two and struck out four.

Pitching at Minute Maid Park against a potent Houston lineup is no small task, but Manning held his own, earning the win in his first start of the year. The righty once again dealt with injuries in 2022, though he showed some promise with a 3.43 ERA and 1.17 WHIP across 63 innings. Manning will look to keep moving in the right direction in his next scheduled start on April 11 against the Blue Jays on the road, which looks like another tough matchup.

Heaney took the loss Tuesday, allowing seven runs on seven hits and two walks over 2.2 innings against the Orioles. He struck out two.

It was the first start as a member of the Rangers for Heaney, and it did not go well. The southpaw was able to get through the first without blemish, but he gave up five in the second including a three-run homer off the bat of Ryan Mountcastle, and he gave up a two-run homer to Jorge Mateo in the third before exiting. The left-hander was around the strike zone with 44 of 69 pitches going for strikes, but he didn't fool hitters whatsoever with his arsenal. Heaney is scheduled for a chance to rebound next week when he faces the Royals.

Gibson earned the win Tuesday, allowing two runs on six hits and zero walks over seven innings against the Rangers. He struck out five.

Gibson gave up two solo homers in the game to Adolis Garcia and Nathaniel Lowe, but outside of that it was a very strong outing for the veteran right-hander. He's now 2-0 on the season, but this was a much better effort than the one he had against the Red Sox on Opening Day. Gibson is scheduled for a friendly matchup against the Athletics on Monday.