MLB Player News

Quintana gave up four runs on five hits and three walks while fanning five across 3.1 innings against the Astros on Monday. He didn't factor into the decision.

Quintana didn't have his best stuff -- he tossed only 46 of his 86 pitches for strikes -- and was unable to get out of the fourth inning, but the bullpen picked him up and spared him the loss by allowing just two runs across 5.2 innings. It's been years since Quintana was relevant for fantasy as anything more than a streamer, and that doesn't appear likely to change this season. With the Angels utilizing a six-man rotation, his next start is scheduled for next Monday on the road against the Royals.

Garcia allowed two runs on four hits and three walks while striking out one over 3.1 innings in Monday's 7-6 loss to the Angels. He didn't factor into the decision.

Garcia missed time during spring training while under quarantine, so he wasn't as built up as a normal starter might be, but the Astros were hoping to get five innings. Instead, he became their third starter in the last four games who failed to finish the fifth inning. With four days off over the next 13 days, the Astros can get by with four starters for a stretch, allowing Garcia to build up his pitch count in bullpen sessions.

Rodon (1-0) picked up the win Monday, allowing two hits and three walks while striking out nine over five scoreless innings against the Mariners.

Rodon followed up an encouraging spring -- during which he won the No. 5 starter job over Reynaldo Lopez -- with a dominant start to the regular season. It was the first win since April 19, 2019 for Rodon, who has battled back from elbow and shoulder surgeries. The left-hander pitched out of a couple of jams; most notably, he walked the bases loaded in the fourth inning, then struck out the side. Rodon recorded 19 swinging strikes and topped out at 98.4 mph. He's scheduled to make his next start Sunday at home against Kansas City.

McKenzie allowed one run on two hits and four walks and struck out five over 3.2 innings in Monday's 3-0 loss to the Royals.

McKenzie threw 58 pitches (32 strikes) as the first reliever behind starter Logan Allen. This was an expected assignment for McKenzie, who isn't likely to work as a starter until at least April 13. The 23-year-old right-hander is expected to have his workload managed in 2021. McKenzie was solid as a rookie in 2020 with a 3.24 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 42:9 K:BB over 33.1 innings in eight appearances (six starts). Fantasy managers will want to keep a close eye on how McKenzie is used this year, as he will likely have starts skipped while making the occassional relief appearance throughout the campaign.

Montas (0-1) gave up seven runs on seven hits and three walks while fanning four across 2.2 innings in Monday's loss against the Dodgers.

Montas pretty much couldn't have had a worse season debut, as he faced one of the deepest lineups in all of baseball and wasn't able to get out of the third inning -- he recorded eight outs and allowed seven runs. Montas, who was slowed down toward the end of spring training due to a ripped cuticle, will attempt to bounce back in his next start -- scheduled for April 10 on the road against the Astros.

Wacha (0-1) took the loss Monday as the Rays were routed 11-2 by the Red Sox, giving up five runs (four earned) on eight hits and two walks over five innings. He struck out six.

The whiffs were nice but otherwise it was a rough Rays debut for Wacha, who tossed 65 of 90 pitches for strikes. Tampa has plenty of rotation alternatives in the organization, so the right-hander may need to turn things around quickly to keep his spot, but his track record (4.53 ERA and 1.43 WHIP since 2016) isn't encouraging. Wacha faces a tough test in his next scheduled start Sunday at home against the Yankees.

Rodriguez (arm) has a "good chance" to pitch for Boston later in the week, Christopher Smith of The Springfield Republican reports.

Rodriguez's bullpen session evidently went well Monday, with manager Alex Cora commenting afterward that the southpaw will likely take the mound later in the week. Expect the club to reveal the exact date of Rodriguez's 2021 debut in the coming days.

Matz (1-0) earned the win Monday against the Rangers by allowing one run on two hits and one walk while striking out nine over 6.1 innings.

Matz was locked in to kick off the 2021 campaign, surrendering just one run in the fourth inning on an RBI single by Nate Lowe. The southpaw was eventually lifted with a 6-1 lead and his pitch count at 91 (62 strikes). He'll look for his second victory of the season in his next scheduled start Saturday against the Angels.

Urena (0-1) took the loss after surrendering six runs (five earned) on four hits and four walks while striking out five over three innings Monday against Minnesota.

The Twins were locked in on Urena from the start, putting up one run in the first and five in the second with the help of a Nelson Cruz grand slam. Urena threw first-pitch strikes to just four of the 16 batters he faced and was pulled after hurling 81 pitches (39 strikes). He'll get a chance to redeem himself in his next scheduled start Sunday in Cleveland.

Montgomery (1-0) allowed four hits over six scoreless innings in Monday's win over the Orioles. He struck out seven batters.

Montgomery was terrific from the jump Monday, retiring the first six batters he faced and allowing just one baserunner through four innings. The only time he was in danger was a first-and-third situation during the fifth inning, but he managed to escape with a timely groundout. The 28-year-old southpaw will look for similar results in Tampa Bay on Sunday.