MLB Player News

Valdez (finger) is "way ahead of schedule," according to pitching coach Brent Strom, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Per Strom, Valdez is trying to return quicker than the medical staff wants him to. The young lefty will eventually start building up to five innings at extended spring training before rejoining the big-league rotation, but the team is not willing to set an official timeline. It sounds like Valdez could return sometime in May if he continues this rapid recovery.

Kremer will start Wednesday's game against the Yankees, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

He has a 6.75 ERA, 1.87 WHIP and 14:6 K:BB in 10.2 innings through three appearances. It's unclear whether this is just a spot start or an opportunity to earn further turns on the mound.

Hill (1-1) took the loss Monday, giving up two runs on two hits and two walks over six innings as the Rays fell 2-1 to the A's. He struck out 10.

The veteran lefty made only one real mistake, but Sean Murphy drove it into the seats in the fourth inning for a two-run homer. Hill still came through with his best start, and first quality start, of the season as he tossed 93 pitches (59 strikes), but he'll still carry a 7.25 ERA and 24:7 K:BB through 22.1 innings into his next outing Saturday at home against the Astros.

Urquidy (1-2) earned the win Monday after holding the Mariners to two runs on five hits and no walks while striking out a pair of batters across six innings.

All of Urquidy's damage came from a pair of solo home runs off the bats of Kyle Lewis and Kyle Seager. The right-hander showed strong command by not issuing any free passes for the second time this season while throwing 67 of his 96 pitches for strikes. The 25-year-old will carry a 4.67 ERA and 1.26 WHIP into Saturday's matchup at Tampa Bay.

Lyles (1-2) was tagged with the loss against the Angels on Monday, surrendering seven runs on 10 hits and three walks while striking out two across 2.2 innings.

Despite being regarded as one of the Rangers' most consistent pitchers this year, Lyles was unable to find success against the hot-hitting Angels, scattering a season-worst 10 hits and seven runs in his shortest outing of the year. Los Angeles hit hard and struck early, including a two-run double by Shohei Ohtani in the second inning and back-to-back home runs by Justin Upton and Albert Pujols in the third. Across 24 innings, the right-hander holds a 6.75 ERA and 1.54 WHIP. He'll look to bounce back at home Saturday against the Red Sox.

Berrios allowed two runs on five hits and one walk while striking out three across 5.2 innings Monday night against Cleveland. He didn't factor into the decision.

The Twins got out to a 2-0 lead, but Berrios surrendered two runs in the bottom of the sixth before being lifted in a tie ballgame. He fell just one out short of registering a quality start. There was some controversy surrounding Berrios' removal, as manager Rocco Baldelli intended to keep the right-hander in the game to finish the frame but was forced to call in a reliever after two mound visits in the same inning, per Dan Hayes of The Athletic. Berrios is off to a solid start in 2021, sitting with a 2-2 record to go with a 3.04 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 33:8 K:BB across 26.2 frames.

Keller (2-2) secured the win after allowing two runs on eight hits and two walks while striking out four across six innings Monday against the Tigers.

Keller dealt with some traffic on the basepaths, but after giving up one run in the third inning and one in the fourth, he would exit with a 3-2 lead. The 25-year-old has struggled to find consistency through his first five starts, surrendering four or more runs in three of those outings. Keller will have a chance to string two strong starts together Sunday in Minnesota.

Turnbull (1-1) allowed three earned runs on five hits across six innings and took the loss Monday against the Royals. He didn't walk a batter and struck out five.

A two-run home run by Carlos Santana in the third inning accounted for most of the Kansas City offense against Turnbull, who was otherwise solid as he picked up his first quality start of the season but also his first loss as the Tigers only mustered two runs. Through two appearances, the righty has a 3.27 ERA, 0.82 WHIP and 11 strikeouts across 11 innings. He'll look to keep pitching well in a tricky matchup Saturday against the Yankees on the road.

Odorizzi was placed on the 10-day injured list with a right pronator muscle strain Monday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Odorizzi exited Saturday's start against the Angels with a forearm issue, and he's slated to miss two turns through the rotation while he recovers. However, the Astros are optimistic that Odorizzi's injury is a short-term issue. Right-hander Peter Solomon was called up in a corresponding move, but it's not yet clear who will fill in as a starter while Odorizzi is sidelined.

Sale (elbow) will head to Florida on Monday to continue his rehabilitation from Tommy John surgery, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

Sale has been working with the team in Boston, mostly playing catch. The organization doesn't have a timetable for when the left-hander will resume throwing off a mound, though that will likely happen soon now that he's heading to extended spring training.