MLB Player News

Montas (1-1) took the loss Friday as the A's fell 3-2 to the Astros, giving up two runs on seven hits and three walks over five innings while striking out five.

The right-hander wasn't quite as sharp as in his 2019 debut, throwing 59 of 92 pitches for strikes, but Montas was able to minimize the damage despite putting runners on base in four of his five frames. He'll next take the mound Wednesday in Baltimore.

Bieber didn't factor into the decision in Friday's 3-2 win over the Blue Jays, allowing two runs on two hits and two walks over six innings while striking out nine.

It was an impressive first start of 2019 for the right-hander, even if it did come against a Toronto offense that's made most of the pitchers it's faced so far look good. Bieber was a popular sleeper pick this preseason, and his 11:2 K:BB through eight innings won't dampen the hype. He'll next take the mound Thursday in another potentially juicy matchup, on the road against the Tigers.

Bassitt (lower leg) will make his next rehab start for Triple-A Las Vegas on Tuesday, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Bassitt was stellar against High-A bats in his first rehab start Thursday, firing three perfect innings while racking up seven strikeouts for Stockton against Rancho Cucamonga. If he produces another strong showing against stiffer competition, the veteran right-hander may be deemed ready for activation.

Odorizzi (0-1) lasted only two-thirds of an inning Friday, giving up five runs (four earned) on two hits and three walks while striking out one to take the loss against the Phillies.

This was the shortest outing of Odorizzi's career. He couldn't find the zone, throwing only 50 percent of his pitches for strikes. The defense behind him didn't help, as the Twins committed two errors in the first inning. Thanks to a strong first outing, Odorizzi's numbers aren't completely out of whack in the small sample size, but he does have an unimpressive 6.75 ERA. He also has a 1.20 WHIP and 12 strikeouts in 6.2 innings. His next start will likely be against the Tigers.

Kikuchi surrendered six runs (four earned) on seven hits and a walk while striking out four over five innings Friday against the White Sox. He didn't factor into the decision.

Kikuchi didn't get off to a great start and allowed three first-inning runs on two hits and three errors. He gave up three more runs in the second before settling down to toss three straight scoreless frames. This was certainly Kikuchi's worst outing of the 2019 campaign, although he managed to get off the hook for the loss before the Mariners ultimately gave up the lead in the late innings. He'll search for a better outcome in his next start Wednesday against Kansas City.

Glasnow (2-0) pitched six shutout innings Friday, allowing three runs on three hits while striking out six and walking one to earn a victory against the Giants.

The 25-year-old isn't displaying the electric strikeout rate that made him a top prospect in the Pirates organization, but owners have to be pleased with the beginning of his first full season with the Rays. Glasnow has allowed just one run and two walks in 11 innings to open 2019. That control is the most encouraging sign for the right-hander, who posted a 5.0 BB/9 in his first three MLB seasons. Glasnow is 2-0 with a 0.82 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 10 strikeouts through two starts. His next outing will likely be against the White Sox.

Sale's next start is slated for Tuesday against Toronto, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Boston will buy Sale a few extra days of rest by deploying a sixth starter in Sunday's series finale with Arizona. He's in line to take the hill for Tuesday's home opener after a rough start to the 2019 campaign (8.00 ERA over nine innings).

Mize tossed five scoreless innings and allowed a single hit in his season debut Thursday with High-A Lakeland. He struck out eight.

The No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 draft, Mize looked brilliant in his first start of 2019. The 21-year-old was limited to just 68 pitches, 47 of which he threw for strikes, but he should ramp that number up in future outings. Mize made four starts at High-A last season and will likely get a little more time there in 2019, though as a fairly advanced prospect who spent three years in college, he could climb the ladder in short order.

Springs (1-0) allowed one run on two hits and three walks while striking out three over 2.1 innings to earn his first win of the season Thursday against the Angels.

He relieved a laboring Edinson Volquez in the fourth inning with the Rangers up 6-2, and coasted to a win after his teammates put up three more runs in the fifth. Springs is one of a few bullpen members capable of pitching multiple innings in the event a starter can't get deep -- this was the fourth relief win already for the 5-2 Rangers. Starters have pitched into the fifth inning only twice in seven games, but the offense (6.4 runs per game) has carried Texas to its early-season success, potentially giving long relief arms like Springs extra fantasy appeal if they continue vulturing their way into the win column.

Bassitt (lower leg) fired three perfect innings in High-A Stockton's win over Rancho Cucamonga on Thursday, recording seven strikeouts.

As his final line implies, Bassitt was efficient and sharp, firing 30 of 47 pitches for strikes. The veteran right-hander's success isn't overly surprising considering the lower level of competition, but the overriding takeaway is that he seems to be on the precipice of activation. It remains to be seen if Bassitt will require at least one more minor-league outing, considering Thursday's included a solid workload.