MLB Player News

Giolito (0-1) allowed five runs on four hits, three walks and three hit batsmen over 5.2 innings in Saturday's 6-1 loss to the Tigers. He struck out four, threw first-pitch strikes to 11 of 27 batters and strikes on 49 of 94 pitches.

It was a 32-degree day in Chicago, which presented a challenge to both starters' command, though Detroit's Michael Fulmer fared better than Giolito. Of the six men who got on base via free pass against Giolito, four scored. He hasn't handled the early-season weather well, having walked seven and hit four batters over his two starts (11.2 IP). On the plus side, he hasn't allowed a home run, which has been a trademark of his early career in the majors (15 HR, 66.2 IP prior to 2018). The right-hander pitched well during spring training, signaling a potential breakthrough this season, so fantasy owners need to be patient. Those in daily leagues or DFS may want to wait for the warmer weather, which may not be possible for his next start Thursday in Minnesota.

Berrios (1-1) took the loss against the Mariners on Saturday, giving up five runs on six hits over 4.2 innings while striking out seven.

He actually held Seattle hitless through the first three innings, but the chilly conditions -- the temperature at first pitch was 27 degrees, a record low for an MLB game in Minnesota -- eventually got to Berrios. The 23-year-old still has an impressive 13:1 K:BB through his first 13.2 innings this season, and he'll look to rebound Thursday at home against the White Sox.

The Angels optioned Bridwell to Triple-A Salt Lake on Saturday, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Bridwell's rough start Friday -- six runs allowed in only 1.2 innings -- comes back to bite him as the Angels recalled Akeel Morris to provide bullpen help a day after the team was forced to use six relievers. The 26-year-old is likely to make it back to the big leagues this season but will be spending the immediate future at Triple-A.

Gray (1-0) picked up the win over the Orioles on Saturday, allowing three runs on four hits and two walks over six innings while striking out four.

The right-hander stepped up to help save a depleted bullpen after CC Sabathia (hip) made an early exit from Friday's 14-inning affair, firing 55 of 86 pitches for strikes in his first win -- and first quality start -- of 2018. Gray will face a sterner test when he next takes the mound Thursday in Boston.

Luzardo gave up one run on four hits and one walk in 4.2 innings while striking out six in his debut start for High-A Stockton.

While he has never pitched at Low-A, it was not surprising to see him aggressively assigned to High-A, as he really impressed evaluators this spring. Luzardo has a complete repertoire with the potential for three plus pitches and plus command. As long as the talented southpaw stays healthy, he should cruise through the minors and could finish the year at Triple-A or even in the big leagues.

Kaprielian (elbow) could join the rotation at High-A Stockton by midseason, MLB.com's Mike Rosenbaum reports.

This is excellent news for the promising right-hander, as it sounds like his rehab from April 2017 Tommy John surgery is going as planned. While he will head to High-A when healthy, Kaprielian is already 24 years old and is an advanced pitching prospect, so he could quickly move to Double-A. If everything goes smoothly, he could make his big-league debut in 2019.

German was recalled from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Saturday.

With CC Sabathia (hip) landing on the 10-day disabled list, either German or Luis Cessa, who was also called up from Triple-A, figures to slot into the Yankees' rotation Thursday in Boston. German was scheduled to start Saturday at Triple-A, so he would be available if the Yankees need length out of the bullpen, as he could pitch Saturday and still start Thursday on normal rest. German has not made a start in the big leagues, but has a 3.14 ERA in 14.1 innings of long relief and notched a 2.83 ERA with 81 strikeouts in 76.1 innings as a Triple-A starter last season. He could be a sneaky add in deeper leagues if he does indeed take Sabathia's spot in the rotation.

McCullers' start Friday began to unravel in the fifth inning when he was facing San Diego hitters for a third time through the lineup, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Not all of McCullers' problems occurred the third time through the order -- runners reached base in each of the first four innings -- but it only cost him when batters got a third look at the curveball master, as he gave up four hits and only retired one hitter who saw him for a third time. That comes on the heels of his previous start against the Rangers, when two of the three batters seeing him a third time reached base safely via a hit. Going back to 2017, 118 opponents seeing McCullers a third time slugged .567 with a 1.000 OPS. The takeaway is that McCullers will be susceptible in games where Houston's offense doesn't give him a lead. That could mean a higher ERA, a higher WHIP and lost opportunities to win.

Bridwell allowed six runs on seven hits -- including three home runs -- through just 1.2 innings during Friday's 13-9 win over Oakland. He didn't factor into the decision.

This was a disappointing season debut for Bridwell, and lasting just 1.2 innings caused manager Mike Scioscia to use six different relievers out of the bullpen. The 26-year-old righty posted a 3.64 ERA and 1.20 WHIP over 121 innings last season, but his 5.4 K/9, 1.4 HR/9 and 4.88 FIP shouldn't be overlooked. His upside is limited, and it's likely best to be selective with his matchups in most settings, especially since his struggles with the long ball continued Friday.

McCullers (1-1) took the loss against San Diego on Friday, giving up three runs (two earned) on seven hits with seven strikeouts and three walks in Houston's 4-1 defeat.

McCullers didn't miss a start after he was hit in the ankle by a comebacker in his last outing, and although he wasn't at his absolute sharpest, he still managed a decent stat line and was unlucky to get outdueled by Luis Perdomo. McCullers now has a 3.48 ERA along with 17 strikeouts against just four walks to start off his 2018 campaign.