MLB Player News

Rodriguez earned the win Friday against the Orioles, allowing one run on five hits in six innings while striking out eight and walking two.

The lone run Rodriguez allowed was a first-inning sacrifice fly by Adam Jones. Thereafter, the Red Sox lefty settled in and racked up the strikeouts. This was Rodriguez's second start since coming off the disabled list, and he was able to secure the win behind an offense that gave him an early lead. The 25-year-old has had trouble staying healthy, but he's got strikeout stuff when right (9.83 K/9 last year). He's slated to face the Angels in his next outing, assuming the Red Sox don't push back his start to ease him into the rotation.

Montgomery (1-0) got the win against the Tigers on Friday, giving up three earned runs on five hits, striking out four and walking none in New York's 8-6 victory.

Montgomery logged his first quality start of the season against Detroit and was rewarded with his first win of the young season for the effort. He was coming off a tough start against the Orioles that saw him give up 10 hits, so it was nice to see him chop that number in half and not walk any batters against the Tigers. He'll carry a 4.70 ERA and a 1.50 WHIP into his next start against Toronto next Thursday.

Hammel (0-1) came away with a no-decision in Friday's 5-4 loss to the Angels, allowing two runs on eight hits over 5.1 innings while striking out four.

The veteran right-hander was in line for his first win of the season after throwing 66 of 95 pitches for strikes, but the Royals' bullpen couldn't protect a two-run lead. Hammel now has a respectable 3.86 ERA through three starts, but his 12:5 K:BB through 16.1 innings speaks to his limited fantasy upside. He'll next take the mound Wednesday in Toronto.

Heaney came away with a no-decision in his 2018 debut Friday, allowing four runs (three earned) on seven hits and a walk over five innings while striking out seven in a 5-4 win over the Royals.

The left-hander threw 54 of 85 pitches for strikes, and he was on the hook for the loss before the Angels' offense was able to stage a rally against the Royals' bullpen. Heaney isn't a good bet to rack up a lot of innings this year -- he's thrown only 55.1 frames across all levels over the last two seasons due to Tommy John surgery in July 2016 -- but he's capable of solid fantasy performances when he is on the mound. He'll get a tougher test in his next outing Wednesday at home against the Red Sox.

Stroman came away with a no-decision in the Blue Jays' 8-4 victory over the Indians on Friday, giving up four earned runs in five innings on nine hits and two walks while striking out five.

Stroman's early-season struggles continued in this one and he hasn't given up less than four earned runs in any of his three starts in 2018. The 26-year-old right-hander has a brutal 7.98 ERA through 14.2 innings and although it's too early for the panic button, this certainly hasn't been the start fantasy owners envisioned coming off a season where he had a 3.09 ERA in 201 innings. He'll look to get on track in his next start against the Royals on April 18.

Cole had to settle for a no-decision in Friday's 3-2 win over the Rangers, giving up two runs on three hits and a walk over seven innings while striking out a career-high 14.

That's now three straight games with double-digit strikeouts to begin the season for Cole, who seems reborn in Houston. Cy Young Awards aren't won or lost in April, but a 36:4 K:BB through 21 innings is putting the 27-year-old on a very impressive trajectory. Cole will make his next start Wednesday in Seattle.

Clevinger got a no-decision in Cleveland's 8-4 loss to the Blue Jays on Friday, giving up four runs in four innings on three hits, striking out five and walking two.

Clevinger cruised through the first three innings before the wheels came off in the fourth, as he walked two batters and gave up a three-run homer to Aledmys Diaz in that frame before exiting the contest after 82 pitches. Despite the shaky inning, he still has a 2.70 ERA on the season after posting a solid 3.11 mark in 121.1 innings last year. Walks were an issue for Clevinger last season, and he'll need to reduce the free passes in order to full tap into the upside he possesses due to his ability to miss bats.

Hamels (1-2) came away with a no-decision in Friday's 3-2 loss to the Astros, allowing two runs on six hits and two walks over six innings while striking out seven.

Two solo shots by George Springer were the only blemishes on Hamels' line for the night. The left-hander threw 68 of 106 pitches for strikes in his first quality start of the season, but home runs remain a problem -- he's now served up seven in 22 innings to begin the year, muting the positive impact of his 30:11 K:BB. Hamels will next take the mound Wednesday on the road against the Rays.

Cortes was returned to the Yankees on Friday after being designated for assignment by the Orioles earlier this week, Eduardo A. Encina of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Cortes was selected by the Orioles in the Rule 5 draft this offseason but is now returning to the Yankees organization. The 23-year-old gave up four runs on 10 hits and four walks over 4.2 innings with Baltimore, and will be sent to Double-A Scranton, Pete Caldera of The Bergen Record reports..

Eovaldi (elbow) advanced to playing catch Friday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The right-hander drew rave reviews from manager Kevin Cash, who commented that Eovaldi was "throwing [the ball] through the concrete" in sock throw drills. Eovaldi still faces an extended absence due to the nature of his injury, but it seems like the early returns from his rehab program are promising.