MLB Player News

Kikuchi did not factor in the decision against the Giants on Friday, pitching six innings and allowing three runs on six hits and one walk while striking out 10.

Kikuchi threw 67 of his 89 pitches for strikes and fired first-pitch strikes to 18 of the 25 batters he faced. The southpaw's strikeout rate jumped from 16.1 percent in his debut campaign to 24.2 percent last season, so Friday's big punchout total bodes well for his continued progress in that area. Kikuchi is next scheduled to take the mound April 10 at Minnesota.

Eovaldi (0-1) took the loss Friday as the Red Sox fell 3-0 to the Orioles, giving up one run on four hits and a walk over 5.1 innings while striking out four.

The right-hander engaged in a pitchers' duel with John Means and exited the game in the sixth inning with the score still 0-0, but Eovaldi got saddled with the loss when Matt Andriese allowed his inherited runner to score. Eovaldi is coming off a strong 2020, posting career highs in strikeout and walks rates, and despite the disappointing result Friday he was able to pick up where he left off. He's lined up to face the Rays at home Wednesday for his next start.

Rodriguez (arm) threw three simulated innings at the Red Sox's alternate site in Worcester on Friday, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

Browne referred to the injury, which has been attributed to a dead arm, as elbow inflammation. Whichever the case, it's a good sign the left-hander is facing live hitters. The Red Sox will evaluate where Rodriguez is at Saturday before making any decisions about when he might return. The pitcher hopes to enter the rotation as soon as April 8 in Baltimore.

Means (1-0) picked up the win Friday against the Red Sox, allowing only one hit over seven scoreless inning while striking out five.

The southpaw baffled Boston all afternoon, retiring the final 18 batters he faced and not allowing a runner past first base. Means is coming off a 2020 in which he served up 12 homers in only 43.2 innings, but when he's hitting his spots he's capable of neutralizing any lineup. The 27-year-old will need to be sharp once again for his second start of the season Wednesday in Yankee Stadium.

Ray (elbow) has been throwing at 100 percent and will throw off a mound Friday, Rob Longley of the Toronto Sun reports.

Ray suffered an elbow injury late in camp, though the issue was among the least concerning elbow problems for a pitcher, as it was nothing worse than a bruise and came while falling down some stairs rather than while pitching. The injury was bad enough to send him to the injured list to start the year, but it doesn't look as though he'll need to miss much time.

Gonzales gave up five earned runs on eight hits and three walks while striking out two in six innings Thursday against the Giants. He did not factor in the decision.

The three walks compared to two strikeouts are particularly worrisome for Gonzales, who relies on locating and sequencing his pitches to make up for a lack of lights-out stuff. He lines up to start in Minnesota on Thursday, which should put the confidence of his fantasy managers to the test.

Bassitt allowed three runs on four hits and two walks while striking out three over 5.1 innings in a loss to the Astros on Thursday.

Bassitt struggled Thursday due to problems with his command while leaving two runners on base upon being pulled. The righty had a career year in 2020, recording a 2.29 ERA and 3.95 FIP. The 32-year-old only threw 68 pitches and we can expect his pitch-count to rise as the season progresses.

Greinke (1-0) allowed just three hits while striking out four without a walk over six scoreless innings in Thursday's victory over the Athletics.

Although he didn't rack up strikeouts the veteran righty was still dominant in his debut, throwing 56 of his 82 pitches for strikes. Although his 4.03 ERA last season doesn't look great, Greinke still put up a 2.80 FIP, so there's no reason for fantasy managers to expect anything other than his usual ace-level performance this season.

Bundy allowed three runs on six hits and a walk while striking out six over six innings in a victory over the White Sox on Thursday.

Bundy posted a quality start in his season debut and looked sharp with the exception of allowing a fifth-inning homer to Adam Eaton. The other earned run was a result of poor fielding while Luis Robert was menacing the Angels on the basepaths. The 28-year-old had what many considered to be a breakout season in 2020, recording a 3.29 ERA and 2.95 FIP.

Giolito allowed two runs on two hits while striking out eight over 5.1 innings in Thursday's loss to the Angels.

The righty was dominant in his debut, with his lone mistakes being a Max Stassi solo home run in the fifth inning and a Justin Upton RBI single following consecutive walks. The 26-year-old picked up where he left off last season, throwing 59 of his 87 pitches for strikes, resulting in eight punchouts. Giolito is scheduled to pitch Tuesday against the Mariners.