MLB Player News

Cecconi (0-1) took the loss Sunday against the Mariners, allowing six runs on six hits and three walks in 4.1 innings. He struck out five.

The right-hander managed to make it through three scoreless innings to begin his outing, but the Mariners throttled him for six runs across the fourth and fifth frames. Three of the hits he allowed went for extra bases, though Cecconi was at least able to stretch out to 93 pitches in his first start of the campaign. Cecconi has a difficult assignment slated for next weekend versus the Cubs, which might limit his streaming appeal.

Hancock (1-0) earned the win Sunday against the Guardians, allowing no runs on no hits and one walk in six innings. He struck out nine.

Hancock is taking Bryce Miller's (oblique) place in Seattle's starting rotation for the time being, and the former filled in admirably during his first turn through the rotation. Hancock set a career high in strikeouts Sunday, completely silencing the Cleveland bats in the hit column. The right-hander should be able to remain a starter for the Mariners for at least the next few weeks, and he figures to be a popular fantasy pickup ahead of his next scheduled start against the division-rival Angels.

Imai did not factor into the decision in the Astros' 9-7 win over the Angels on Sunday. He allowed four runs on three hits and four walks while striking out four across 2.2 innings.

Imai looked poised over the first two innings of his MLB debut, striking out four of the first eight batters he faced. However, things unravelled in the third, when he ran up his pitch count and yielded four runs in the frame before being pulled. Imai struggled with his control, with only 36 of his 74 pitches resulting in strikes (48.6 percent). It might take some time for him to adjust to his new surroundings after spending nine years with the Seibu Lions of Nippon Professional Baseball in Japan, but the expectations will still be high given the three-year, $54 million contract that he signed with Houston during the offseason. Imai will look for a better result in his next start, which is tentatively slated for next weekend on the road against the Athletics.

Kochanowicz did not factor into the decision for Sunday's 9-7 loss to the Astros. He allowed six runs (five earned) on four hits and five walks while striking out three across four innings.

Kochanowicz put the Halos in a hole early after giving up four runs in the second inning. The Angels gave the 25-year-old right-hander plenty of run support, but he was unable to record an out in the fifth and was tagged with another run after being pulled. Kochanowicz generated 11 whiffs on 94 pitches but tossed only 55 strikes, and it probably wasn't the start he was hoping for after beating out Alek Manoah (finger) for the fifth spot in the Angels' rotation at the end of training camp. Kochanowicz is tentatively slated to start next weekend at home against the Mariners.

Rodriguez (shoulder) has been playing catch and doing strengthening exercises but has yet to throw a bullpen session, per MLB.com.

Rodriguez began the season on the IL (retroactive to March 22) due to right shoulder inflammation. The Angels have been adamant that he's not dealing with a major injury, but the fact Rodriguez hasn't yet progressed to throwing bullpens may mean he's leaning toward not being ready to return when immediately eligible. Jack Kochanowicz and Ryan Johnson are getting opportunities to be part of the rotation early in the campaign.

Matz (1-0) notched the win Sunday against the Cardinals, allowing four runs on six hits and one walk in five innings. He struck out two.

Matz hardly pitched well enough to deserve the win Sunday, but the Rays gave him plenty of run support. The veteran southpaw produced a respectable 10 whiffs on the day, and it's notable he was able to throw 81 pitches in his first start since April of last year. The expectation entering the season was that Matz would be on a pitch count initially, making his workload something to monitor in next week's scheduled outing in Minnesota versus the Twins.

Early did not factor into the decision in Sunday's 3-2 loss to the Reds, allowing one run on five hits and two walks with six strikeouts over 5.1 innings.

Early exited with a 2-0 lead and a runner on first in the sixth inning before Greg Weissert came on and allowed a three-run homer. The 23-year-old generated just seven swinging strikes in an otherwise solid debut, and it was encouraging to see manager Alex Cora let him reach 96 pitches. The southpaw posted a 2.33 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 29:4 K:BB across 19.2 regular-season major-league innings last season and lines up for a home matchup against the Padres next weekend.

Ober did not factor into the decision Sunday against Baltimore, allowing three runs on four hits and a walk across four innings. He struck out one.

Ober kept the Orioles off the board for three innings before Tyler O'Neill cut Minnesota's lead to 4-3 with a three-run homer in the fourth. The 30-year-old Ober's fastball velocity remains a concern - it averaged just 89.8 MPH Sunday after sitting at 90.3 last season. Ober struggled overall in 2025, posting a 5.10 ERA with a 1.30 WHIP and 120 strikeouts across 27 starts (146.1 innings).

Baz did not factor into the decision Sunday against the Twins, allowing four runs on seven hits across 5.1 innings. He struck out four.

All of the damage against Baz came in the second inning. The first four batters in the frame reached safely against the right-hander before Tristan Gray cleared the bases with a double. However, the Orioles rallied en route to an eventual 8-6 victory, sparing Baz the loss in his team debut. Baz was traded to Baltimore after posting a 4.87 ERA with a 1.33 WHIP and 176:64 K:BB across 31 starts (166.1 innings) with Tampa Bay last season. He's currently lined up to face the Pirates on the road in his next outing.

Gore (1-0) earned the win Sunday over the Phillies, allowing two runs on two hits and three walks across 5.1 innings. He struck out seven.

It was an impressive debut for Gore, who held the Phillies hitless through his first five innings before he was charged with a pair of runs in the sixth after allowing two singles and a walk. Despite the rocky finish, it was an encouraging showing from the left-hander, who posted a 4.17 ERA with a 1.35 WHIP and 185:64 K:BB across 30 starts (159.2 innings) in an up-and-down 2025 campaign with the Nationals. Gore is tentatively lined up to face the Reds at home in his next outing.