MLB Player News

Dunning fired six scoreless innings, allowing five hits and zero walks while striking out five in Saturday's loss to the Orioles. He did not factor in the decision.

Dunning did all he could Saturday, but the Rangers' bullpen couldn't hold up. Six shutout innings lowers Dunning's ERA to 0.60 in 15 innings over three starts. What might be even more impressive is his 16 strikeouts compared to only two walks. Dunning is producing numbers like an ace that the Rangers desperately need.

Cease gave up two runs on six hits and three walks while fanning six across 4.2 innings Saturday against the Red Sox. He didn't factor into the decision.

Cease has pitched exactly 4.2 innings in each of his first three starts of the season, but his numbers haven't been very good -- perhaps reflecting what happened last season when his 6.35 FIP didn't come close to supporting his 4.01 ERA. The 25-year-old right-hander has a 15:9 K:BB with a 3.86 ERA through 14 innings this year.

Flexen (1-1) allowed one run on 10 hits over six innings in a loss to the Astros on Saturday. He struck out three and did not issue a walk.

Only one of the 10 hits went for extra bases and Flexen did not hand out a single free pass, but even so he was fortunate to escape with just one run on his ledger. The Mariners' defense turned two double plays behind him. Flexen is holding his own in his return stateside (3.38 ERA), but he would be well served to dial the strikeouts back up. He faces a tough road test in Boston next weekend.

Greinke (2-1) allowed four hits over eight scoreless innings in a win over the Mariners on Saturday. He struck out six and did not issue a walk.

After Greinke breezed through eight scoreless on 91 pitches, Ryan Pressly entered the game and completed the shutout for Houston. True to his word, Greinke ditched his slider in this outing, as Brian McTaggart of MLB.com notes. The right-hander said he would table the pitch after he was rocked for three homers against the Tigers earlier this week. He has four other quality pitches to lean on and will hope this formula can produce similar results at home against the Angels next week.

Glasnow (2-0) earned the win Saturday against the Yankees after allowing one run on two hits with seven strikeouts and four walks over five innings.

The 27-year-old was a bit wild and required 105 pitches for 15 outs, preventing him from working deeper into the contest. Still, it was another strong performance from Glasnow, who has surrendered only two runs over 24.2 innings to open the season. The right-hander should match up with the Blue Jays next weekend.

McKenzie hurled five innings against Cincinnati on Saturday, giving up one run on five hits and four walks while striking out seven. He did not factor in the decision.

McKenzie was a tad wild in the outing, issuing four free passes over five frames. However, the right-hander did an excellent job controlling the damage, and the only run scored against him came on a Tucker Barnhart solo home run. McKenzie has now issued 10 walks over 12.2 frames, already surpassing the nine walks he yielded across 33.1 innings last season. That said, he has also struck out 18 batters and has a respectable 3.55 ERA. McKenzie's next start is scheduled for Friday at home against the Yankees.

Kremer was optioned to the alternate training site following Saturday's 6-1 win over the Rangers, Dan Connolly of The Athletic reports. He didn't factor in the decision after allowing one run on five hits with six strikeouts and one walk over 4.2 innings.

The Orioles didn't score any runs until the final three frames Saturday, so the 25-year-old wouldn't have picked up the victory even if he went the required five innings. Kremer started on three days' rest and delivered his best start of the season on the road. Baltimore has a pair of scheduled off days this week, so the right-hander will head to the alternate site and could remain there until the team needs a fifth starter April 27 versus the Yankees.

Milone didn't factor into the decision in a 3-2 loss to the Royals during the second game of Saturday's doubleheader, giving up two runs on three hits over 2.1 innings. He struck out four.

The veteran southpaw didn't give the Jays much length in his spot start, getting the hook after 39 pitches (26 strikes). Milone has pitched reasonably well to begin the season, posting a 3.24 ERA and 12:2 K:BB through 8.1 innings, but he will remain in a swingman role for now.

Matz (3-0) picked up the win in the first game of Saturday's doubleheader against the Royals, allowing one run on two hits and two walks over six innings while striking out five.

The southpaw has been outstanding to begin the season, reeling off three straight quality starts and giving up only one run in each of them. Matz tossed 48 of 82 pitches for strikes in Saturday's effort, and he'll take a 1.47 ERA and 18:6 K:BB through 18.1 innings into his next start Friday in Tampa Bay.

Irvin (1-2) earned the win against Detroit on Saturday, pitching six innings and allowing four hits and no walks while striking out six.

After giving up four runs in each of his first two starts, Irvin was masterful Saturday, throwing a first-pitch strike to 17 of 23 batters and yielding zero extra-base hits. He tossed 93 pitches (63 strikes) in his six innings for his first quality start of the campaign. The southpaw will look to build upon the superb outing in his next start, currently slated for Friday at Baltimore.