MLB Player News

Kopech allowed one run (none earned) on one hit and two walks while striking out five across five innings Saturday against the Rays. He did not factor into the decision.

Kopech walked the first batter he faced, who then came around to score after Kopech was let down by some poor defense. That accounted for the only run the right-hander allowed, and he dominated from there by inducing seven flyball outs and 13 swinging strikes on 75 total pitches. While he's walked multiple hitters in each of his first two outings this season, Kopech has allowed only one earned run with an 8:4 K:BB across nine total frames.

Ryu (forearm) is scheduled to undergo an MRI later Sunday, Kaitlyn McGrath of The Athletic reports.

Ryu was diagnosed with left forearm soreness following a rough start Saturday, during which he was tagged for five runs on six hits and no walks over four innings en route to taking a no-decision in the Blue Jays' 7-5 loss to the Athletics. The MRI should help the Blue Jays determine whether Ryu is dealing with any structural damage to his arm, but even if the original diagnosis holds up, the southpaw will be at risk of landing on the 10-day injured list. For the time being, Ryu lines up to make his next turn Thursday in Boston.

Syndergaard (2-0) earned the win over Texas on Saturday, pitching six innings during which he allowed two runs on five hits and no walks while striking out four.

Syndergaard gave up his first runs of the campaign in the contest, but in some ways he was better than in his previous start. After walking two and striking out only one in his season debut, the veteran right-hander didn't issue any free passes and fanned four batters Saturday. Syndergaard has picked up a win in each of his first two starts and boasts a tidy 1.59 ERA thus far. His next start is lined up to be a promising matchup at home against the Orioles next weekend.

Wells completed four scoreless innings against the Yankees on Saturday, allowing three hits and two walks while striking out three. He did not factor in the decision.

The right-hander struggled a bit with his control in the contest, walking a pair of batters and hitting Anthony Rizzo with a pitch. However, Wells kept New York off the scoreboard for four frames before Baltimore turned to Mike Baumann in the fifth. It was an overall positive performance for Wells after he lasted just 1.2 frames and gave up four runs in his season debut. He's scheduled to next take the mound for a start in Oakland on Thursday.

Taillon pitched 4.2 innings against Baltimore on Saturday, allowing two runs on three hits and one walk while striking out two. He did not factor in the decision.

The Yankees jumped out to a 4-2 lead in the top of the fifth inning, giving Taillon a chance to qualify for the win by completing the bottom of the frame. There had already been a rain delay that interrupted the contest, however, and manager Aaron Boone chose to pull the right-hander with two outs in the fifth after he allowed a single and a walk in the inning. Taillon has allowed exactly two runs in each of his first two starts, though he has yet to notch a victory. He'll try to change that in his next outing, which lines up to come at home against Cleveland late next week.

Flexen (0-2) took the loss in Saturday's 4-0 defeat at the hands of the Astros, allowing three runs on five hits and a walk with three strikeouts in six innings.

Flexen pitched well enough Saturday, but Seattle experienced a vintage performance from Justin Verlander and couldn't put a run on the board. The 27-year-old Flexen has now submitted identical lines of five hits, three runs and three strikeouts in both starts, though he was able to go a solid six innings against Houston. He's currently slated to face Kansas City for his next start Friday.

Sears was optioned to Triple-A Wilkes-Barre on Saturday.

Sears earned a spot in the big-league bullpen to begin the 2022 season, and he delivered two scoreless innings across two appearances. He also was awarded the win Saturday against the Orioles prior to being optioned, and he should be promoted to the major-league roster to contribute out of the bullpen at some point again during the campaign.

Verlander (1-1) picked up the win during Saturday's 4-0 shutout of Seattle, allowing three hits with eight strikeouts in eight scoreless innings.

If there were any doubts about Verlander's potential to remain effective, they were put to rest Saturday. The 39-year-old righty was masterful in permitting just four baserunners while recording twice as many strikeouts. He required 87 pitches to get through the eight innings. The future Hall of Famer is set to take the hill next for a premier matchup against Toronto next week.

Bubic didn't factor into the decision in Saturday's 3-1 win over the Tigers, giving up one run on two hits and six walks over 4.1 innings. He struck out four.

The lefty tossed only 49 of 89 pitches for strikes and walked at least one batter in every inning he worked, but Bubic was able to avoid much damage and exited the game with the score tied 1-1. The 24-year-old has a brutal 4:8 K:BB through five innings over two starts to begin the season to go along with a 10.80 ERA, and Bubic will lose his spot in the rotation quickly if he doesn't find a semblance of control.

Houck (1-0) picked up the win Saturday, allowing two hits and three walks over 5.2 scoreless innings in a 4-0 victory over the Twins. He struck out four.

It was a much better performance than in his season debut, but Houck still had some trouble finding the plate as he issued three free passes for the second straight start, leaving him with a 7:6 K:BB through his first nine innings of 2022. The Red Sox are expecting big things from the 25-year-old, but so far he has yet to flash the dominance he displayed at times as a rookie.