MLB Player News

Scherzer (1-3) took the loss Friday, surrendering seven runs on six hits -- including three home runs -- and three walks over 2.1 innings as the Blue Jays fell 8-6 to the Guardians. He failed to strike out a batter.

The 41-year-old future Hall of Famer came into the game looking for his 3,500th career strikeout -- a milestone only 10 pitchers in MLB history have reached -- but Scherzer not only failed to get it, he got rocked in an outing that mercifully ended after 82 pitches (51 strikes) once Angel Martinez had taken him deep for the second time. Scherzer's time in the Toronto rotation could be close to ending with both Trey Yesavage (shoulder) and Jose Berrios (elbow) getting closer to coming off the IL, but Eric Lauer and Patrick Corbin have little job security as well. Despite his 9.64 ERA, 1.61 WHIP and 10:8 K:BB through 18.2 innings, Scherzer could be able to save his job with a good effort in his next start, which is scheduled to come at home next week against the Red Sox.

Urena is slated to start Saturday's game against the Royals in Kansas City, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Summoned from Triple-A Salt Lake last weekend to make his first MLB start, Urena spun a gem for the Halos, striking out eight and allowing two runs on four hits and two walks across six innings in a losing effort against the Padres. He'll be awarded another turn through the rotation on the heels of that strong outing, but Urena's stay with the big club could come to an end as soon as Grayson Rodriguez (shoulder) is ready to return from the injured list, likely at some point in May.

Williams (4-1) picked up the win in Friday's 8-6 victory over the Blue Jays, coughing up six runs on seven hits and two walks over six innings. He struck out four.

Five of the hits off Williams went for extra bases, including solo homers by Jesus Sanchez in the first inning and Kazuma Okamoto in the second, but Cleveland never trailed in the game after putting up a five-spot against Max Scherzer in the top of the first. Williams has won four straight decisions, and while he remains homer prone with six long balls allowed in 35.2 innings through six starts, the right-hander has otherwise been dominant, posting a 3.28 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 44:19 K:BB. He'll look to tighten things up in his next outing, which is set to come at home next week against the Rays.

Young (2-0) picked up the win Friday in a 10-3 rout of the Red Sox, giving up three runs on seven hits and a walk over 5.2 innings. He struck out five.

Called up Thursday to fill in for Dean Kremer (quadriceps) in the rotation, Young tossed 65 of 93 pitches for strikes in a respectable effort that was backed by a 20-hit, six-homer barrage from Baltimore's bats. The right-hander has gotten the job done in two spot starts this season, but he should get a longer runway this time with Kremer not expected back until at least mid-May. Young will take a 2.53 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 7:3 K:BB through 10.2 innings into his next outing, which is scheduled to come at home next week against the Astros.

Bello (1-3) took the loss Friday, surrendering eight runs on 13 hits -- including five home runs -- and a walk over 3.1 innings as the Red Sox were routed 10-3 by the Orioles. He struck out two.

The 13 hits and five long balls allowed were unsurprisingly career worsts for Bello, and the right-hander had already tied his previous career-worst mark by serving up three long balls before he'd even escaped the first inning. Bello has failed to complete five innings in four of his first five starts this season, stumbling to a 9.00 ERA, 2.27 WHIP and 15:13 K:BB through 22 innings, and it might only be injuries to other pitchers keeping him in the rotation at this point. Bello will try to right the ship in his next outing, which is set to come on the road next week in Toronto.

Valdez didn't factor into the decision Friday as the Tigers were downed 9-8 by the Reds, giving up two runs on four hits and five walks over 4.1 innings. He struck out four.

The southpaw got only 47 of his 89 pitches into the strike zone before getting the hook. The five free passes were a season high, but Valdez has issued multiple walks in five straight starts. On the season he sports a 3.41 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 24:14 K:BB through 34.1 innings, and he faces a tough test in his next outing, scheduled to come on the road next week in Atlanta.

Kikuchi (0-3) took the loss Friday against the Royals, allowing five runs on five hits and two walks with five strikeouts across five innings.

It's been a struggle for Kikuchi early on this season, as he's allowed at least four earned runs in four of his last five starts and has gone six innings just once in six tries to begin the campaign. The left-hander is still winless but has at least been able to generate strikeouts with a 32:13 K:BB across 29 innings. He's also allowed just three home runs after serving up 24 last season. Kikuchi's 3.72 FIP suggests he's pitched better than his 6.21 ERA would suggest.

McCullers (1-2) took the loss Friday, allowing seven runs (five earned) on six hits and four walks over five-plus innings against the Yankees. He struck out three.

The right-hander was in trouble from the jump Friday, as New York scored three runs (one earned) during the opening frame. Things didn't get any better from there with the Yankees adding to McCullers' ledger in the second, fourth and sixth innings. The 32-year-old had an electric season debut March 30 versus the Red Sox with nine strikeouts and just one run allowed over seven innings, but McCullers has surrendered 18 earned runs across 18.1 frames in his four subsequent starts. Perhaps a rematch with Boston next week will help him to get back on track, but that's a risky proposition for fantasy managers given his recent form.

Rasmussen (2-0) earned the victory Friday against the Twins, allowing one run on five hits and one walk while striking out six in six innings of work.

Rasmussen rebounded from his worst outing of the young season by shutting down the Twins offense to the tune of one run in six innings. The lone blemish was a home run surrendered to Brooks Lee, but the 30-year-old was sharp outside of that to make it four out of five starts on the year allowing one earned run or fewer. The right-hander is now 2-0 on the season with a 2.45 ERA, 0.74 WHIP and 26 strikeouts in 25.2 innings. His next scheduled appearance is set for Wednesday against the Guardians.

Fedde didn't factor into the decision Friday against the Nationals, allowing three runs (one earned) on three hits and four walks with one strikeout across 5.2 innings.

Fedde worked as the bulk reliever behind opener Bryan Hudson, who gave up one hit and one walk with one strikeout in a scoreless first inning. Fedde threw 91 pitches but generated just five whiffs. While the right-hander has survived for the most part in the early going this season, his numbers are probably better than he's pitched, as Fedde will carry a 3.42 ERA and 16:11 K:BB across 26.1 innings into his next appearance. He doesn't have swing-and-miss stuff and fully relies on his defense.