MLB Player News

Watkins totaled five innings against Oakland on Monday, allowing one run on two hits and two walks while striking out one. He did not factor in the decision.

The right-hander induced only five swinging strikes and fanned just one batter in his five frames, but he allowed just one extra-base hit and surrendered only one run in the outing. Baltimore couldn't get much going against Frankie Montas and the rest of Oakland's pitching staff, however, blocking Watkins from a chance at his first victory of the campaign. Still, it's been a promising start to the season for the 29-year-old, as he's allowed only two earned runs across his first eight frames. His strikeout stuff is nearly non-existent, but Watkins may be earning himself a long-term rotation spot with his performance through two starts.

Montas (2-1) earned the win over Baltimore on Monday, allowing one run on two hits and two walks while striking out five over six innings.

Montas held the Orioles to just four baserunners and one run through six frames, but he threw his final pitch with the score tied 1-1. Fortunately for the right-hander, Oakland found its offense in the bottom of the sixth, producing four runs to put Montas in line for the victory. After allowing five runs and taking the loss against Philadelphia in his first appearance of the campaign, Montas has earned back-to-back wins while yielding just two earned runs over his subsequent 12.1 innings. He's line up to make his next start at home against Texas on Saturday.

Lorenzen (1-1) allowed four runs on four hits and two walks over 3.1 innings Monday, striking out two and taking a loss against Houston.

Lorenzen stumbled out of the gate Monday, coughing up a two-run shot to Yordan Alvarez in the first inning. In the fourth, he walked Jeremy Pena with the bases loaded before plunking Jose Siri just two pitches later. The 30-year-old saw his ERA jump to 4.82 through 9.1 innings across two appearances. Lorenzen is currently expected to face the Guardians at home next week.

Garcia (1-0) allowed three runs on four hits and a walk over 5.2 innings Monday, striking out seven and earning a win over the Angels.

Through five innings, the only damage against Garcia was Tyler Wade's two-run double in the second inning. He retired 11 straight batters before Max Stassi hit a solo homer and knocked Garcia out of the game in the sixth. The 25-year-old forced 12 swinging strikes and improved his K:BB to 8:3 through 9.1 frames. Garcia will carry a 2.79 ERA into his projected start this weekend against the Blue Jays at home.

McClanahan allowed two runs (one earned) on four hits across six innings in Monday's loss to the Cubs. He struck out nine and did not factor in the decision.

The only damage against McClanahan came from Patrick Wisdom's two-run shot in the second inning. The 24-year-old southpaw was only charged with one earned run due to Seiya Suzuki reaching base on an error earlier in the inning. McClanahan fired 80 pitches and forced 13 swinging strikes in the impressive outing. He's now sporting a 2.40 ERA and a 24:5 K:BB through three starts. McClanahan is lined up to face Boston at home this weekend.

Kaprielian (shoulder) will make a rehab start with Triple-A Las Vegas on Wednesday, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Kaprielian made his first rehab start with Low-A Stockton last week and allowed two runs over five innings, and he'll now move his rehab up to Triple-A. The 28-year-old threw 52 pitches in that outing and should continue ramping up his workload Wednesday, which could end up being his final rehab appearances before returning from the injured list.

McCullers (forearm) was transferred to the 60-day injured list Monday, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

McCullers is still working his way back from the forearm injury he suffered during the postseason. He started throwing last week but remains without a clear timeline, though his move to the 60-day injured list at least clarifies that he won't return before early June. The transaction clears a spot for Yordan Alvarez to return from the COVID-19 injured list.

Bundy (2-0) picked up the win Monday after he pitched 5.1 innings of one-run ball, giving up five hits while striking out six in the victory over the Red Sox.

The 29-year-old was sharp again Monday, surrendering his only run via a Christian Vazquez groundout in the bottom of the fifth inning. Over two starts this season, Bundy has allowed just one run on six hits and a walk while striking out eight in 10.1 innings of work. He'll look to stay hot when he squares off with the White Sox at home in his next projected start Saturday.

Hill (0-1) picked up the loss after he pitched 4.2 innings, giving up four runs on six hits and two walks while striking out two in Monday's defeat to the Twins.

All the damage against the 42-year-old came via the long ball, as he surrendered a two-run shot to Kyle Garlick in the first inning and another two-run homer to Jorge Polanco in the third. Hill has pitched nine innings this season in his second stint with the Red Sox, giving up seven runs and 11 hits over two starts. With Hill sometimes working in tandem with Garrett Whitlock or another multi-inning option out of the bullpen this season, he'll likely not last long enough into contests to pick up a win very often. His next projected start will come on the road Saturday versus the Rays.

Bieber's scheduled start Monday against the White Sox was postponed due to inclement weather, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.

Bieber's start will presumably be pushed to Tuesday's matchup with the White Sox. The right-hander will still have a shot at a two-start week if he goes Tuesday, setting him up to go again Sunday against the Yankees. Bieber is off to a hot start this season, posting a 2.70 ERA and 0.70 WHIP with nine strikeouts over 10 innings in two starts.