MLB Player News

Nikhazy (0-1) took the loss in the second game of Saturday's doubleheader against the Red Sox, coughing up six runs on five hits and six walks over three innings. He struck out three.

Making his MLB debut, Nikhazy managed to toss only 50 of his 90 pitches for strikes before getting a merciful hook. The 25-year-old southpaw was making a spot start due to the twin bill, and while he's had some early success at Triple-A Columbus (3.44 ERA, 22:7 K:BB in 18.1 innings) this year, Saturday's performance won't encourage Cleveland to rush him back to the majors the next time the team needs rotation depth.

Buehler (4-1) picked up the win in the second game of Saturday's doubleheader against the Guardians, giving up three runs on seven hits and a walk over six innings. He struck out three.

The right-hander delivered his second straight quality start and third in six outings this season on 87 pitches (60 strikes). Buehler has struck out more than four batters only twice in those six trips to the mound, however, and the pre-injury dominance he displayed earlier in his career with the Dodgers has yet to return. He'll take a 4.28 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 29:9 K:BB through 33.2 innings into his next start, which lines up to come at home next weekend against the Twins.

Pepiot (2-3) earned the win Saturday against the Padres after giving up one run on three hits and two walks over six innings. He struck out three.

Pepiot delivered a second straight quality start Saturday and broke a streak of three consecutive outings with multiple homers allowed. He needed just 75 pitches to record 18 outs, but manager Kevin Cash elected to go to the bullpen after San Diego broke his shutout bid with a run on two hits in the sixth inning. Pepiot will carry a 4.24 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 34:12 K:BB over 34 innings into his next turn through the rotation, which lines up for next weekend on the road against the Yankees.

Castillo (3-2) earned the win against the Marlins on Saturday after giving up one hit and two walks over six scoreless innings. He struck out five.

After giving up 10 hits to Toronto in his previous start, Castillo limited Miami to a third-inning single to secure his second consecutive victory. It's a small sample size of six starts, but the right-hander's average fastball velocity of 94.9 mph, and a 7.8 K/9 this season would be the lowest of his big-league career. Still, Castillo has been mostly effective early in 2025 with a 3.62 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and 28:14 K:BB across 32.1 innings.

Wacha (1-3) earned the win Saturday over the Astros, allowing four hits and two walks while striking out six over six shutout innings.

This was Wacha's best start of the campaign so far, with six innings and six strikeouts both being season highs. He walked multiple batters for the fourth time in six starts but didn't allow a runner to get past second base en route to his first win of the season. Wacha has pitched pretty well, posting a 3.38 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 26:12 K:BB across 32 over six starts. His 3.4 BB/9 is elevated compared to recent seasons -- he posted a 2.4 BB/9 last year and his highest in the last four years is the 2.9 mark he had in 2023 with the Padres. If he can get that area under control, Wacha should again be an even more reliable innings eater in the middle of the Royals' rotation. The right-hander's next start is projected to be at Baltimore.

Valdez (1-3) tossed a complete game in Saturday's loss to the Royals, allowing two runs on three hits and two walks while striking out five over eight innings.

Valdez allowed a sacrifice fly for the opening run in the first inning and also gave up a solo home run to Vinnie Pasquantino in the fifth. This was Valdez's fourth quality start in six outings this season. He's also allowed just three homers while maintaining a 4.00 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 31:13 K:BB across 36 innings. He's lined up for a favorable matchup in his next outing, which is projected to be on the road versus the White Sox.

Cannon (1-3) picked up the win Saturday against the Athletics, yielding three runs on six hits and two walks over 7.2 innings. He struck out five.

The Chicago right-hander looked sharp in this outing, working behind opener Tyler Gilbert, who fired a clean first inning. Cannon generated a respectable 14 whiffs out of 95 total pitches. The 24-year-old now sports a 4.50 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 27:17 K:BB across 32 innings. Given his success pitching behind an opener, it would not be surprising to see the White Sox use Cannon in the same role for his next appearance, which currently lines up to be against the Astros at home.

Woods Richardson (2-2) earned the win against the Angels on Saturday, allowing one run on four hits while striking out seven in 5.1 innings. He did not issue a walk.

Woods Richardson limited the Angels to just four base runners, and his only blemish came in the third inning when gave up a solo homer to Zach Neto. It was the second time in his last three outings that Woods Richardson gave up just one earned run, and the 24-year-old right-hander has a 4.07 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 26:6 K:BB across 24.1 innings this season. His next start is slated for next week on the road against the Guardians.

Springs (3-3) took the loss Saturday against the White Sox, allowing seven runs (five earned) on seven hits and two walks over six innings. He struck out four.

The 32-year-old southpaw was unsteady out the gate against the lowly White Sox, who managed to lace four extra-base hits (one homer and three doubles) in the first inning. Springs was unable to recover from there, but he tossed 100 total pitches to absorb innings for the bullpen. Springs has floundered in his first season with the Athletics, pitching to a 6.04 ERA, 1.62 WHIP and 27:16 K:BB across 28.1 innings. He currently lines up to make his next start at Texas this upcoming week.

Kikuchi (0-4) took the loss against the Twins on Saturday, allowing four runs on nine hits and four walks over two innings. He did not strike out a batter.

Kikuchi yielded three runs in the first frame off six singles (including four straight to start the game) and a walk. The veteran southpaw gave up another run in the second inning and was lifted ahead of the third after tossing 66 pitches (37 strikes) and generating just three whiffs. Saturday's outing was a stark contrast to his previous start against the Giants on April 20, when he tossed 5.1 innings without giving up an earned run. Kikuchi is now up to a 4.31 ERA and 1.60 WHIP through 31.1 innings, and his 18 walks is tied with Carlos Rodon for second most in the American League behind Charlie Morton (20).