MLB Player News

Woods Richardson (1-1) earned the win Sunday, allowing one run on five hits with no walks over five innings against Detroit. He struck out five.

Woods Richardson had a solid outing with a slight increase in velocity to a max 95.9 mph fastball after two lackluster starts to begin the season. He likely needed a strong outing to remain in the rotation with David Festa making a case for keeping a starting role and Zebby Matthews pitching well at Triple-A.

Hendricks (0-1) yielded five runs on four hits and three walks over four innings Sunday, striking out one and taking a loss against Houston.

All the damage against Hendricks came during a disastrous second inning, capped off by Isaac Paredes' three-run shot. Hendricks tossed 48 of 79 pitches for strikes and forced only two whiffs. He had allowed only two runs through 11 innings before Sunday's rough outing. His ERA jumped to 4.20 with a lackluster 9:5 K:BB through 15 frames. Hendricks is currently in line for a home start against the Giants next week.

Boyle (1-0) earned the win against Atlanta on Sunday, allowing two unearned runs on no hits and two walks with seven strikeouts over five innings.

Boyle was called up for a spot start and tossed five no-hit innings before being lifted with no outs in the sixth. He generated an impressive 12 swinging strikes on 74 pitches and limited Atlanta to only three hard-hit balls. While it's unclear whether the 25-year-old will stick with the big-league club, Sunday's performance certainly made a strong case for another opportunity.

Wesneski (1-1) allowed three runs on five hits over six innings Sunday, striking out 10 and earning a win over the Angels.

Wesneski picked up his first win as an Astro in a fairly unconventional way. He coughed up three solo home runs and generated only 11 swinging strikes despite the 10 punchouts. It was also his second straight quality start after taking a loss in his season debut. Wesneski is sporting a 4.00 ERA with a 21:3 K:BB through 18 innings. He's currently scheduled to face the Padres at home next weekend.

Lively (0-2) allowed four runs on seven hits and two walks over six innings Sunday, striking out five and taking a loss against Kansas City.

Lively turned in three scoreless frames before Salvador Perez knocked a two-run homer in the fourth inning. The Royals plated two more on Maikel Garcia's double in the fifth. Lively forced 12 swinging strikes on 93 total pitches in his longest start of the season. His ERA rose to 4.87 with a 16:7 K:BB through 20.1 innings. Lively is lined up to start in Pittsburgh next weekend.

Rodon (1-3) took the loss against the Giants on Sunday, allowing four runs on three hits and three walks with eight strikeouts over 5.2 innings.

Rodon surrendered all four of his runs on a pair of homers by Jung Hoo Lee in the fourth and sixth innings. The veteran southpaw has pitched into the sixth frame in all four of his starts this season, but he has also allowed four or more earned runs in three of them. He'll take a 5.48 ERA, 1.13 ERA and 28:12 K:BB across 23 innings into a road matchup with the Rays next weekend.

Ragans (1-0) allowed two runs (one earned) on four hits over 7.2 innings Sunday, striking out 10 and earning a win over Cleveland.

Ragans stumbled in the second inning, giving up an RBI double to Daniel Schneemann, who would come around to score on an error. After that, Ragans was dialed in and retired 18 of the next 19 batters he faced. He forced 20 whiffs and has generated at least 16 in three straight outings. The 27-year-old is sporting a 2.28 ERA with a terrific 34:4 K:BB through four starts. Ragans' next start is expected to be in Detroit.

Smith (0-1) yielded two runs on five hits and two walks over six innings Sunday, striking out three and taking a loss against Boston.

Smith did not allow a runner to reach scoring position through five scoreless frames before Trevor Story knocked a two-run double in the sixth inning. Smith was efficient, throwing 50 of 79 pitches for strikes, including 10 swinging strikes. The 25-year-old rookie is still searching for his first win despite some positive results early on. Smith owns a 2.04 ERA alongside a 12:7 K:BB through 17.2 innings. He's lined up for a rematch in Boston next weekend.

Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said Sunday that Leiter (finger) could join Triple-A Round Rock on Wednesday or Thursday to make a rehab start, MLB.com reports.

Leiter is first eligible to come off the 15-day injured list Thursday, but the Rangers are leaning toward having him make a brief pit stop in the minors before potentially slotting back into the big-league rotation next week. The right-hander, who is recovering from a blister on his right middle finger, completed a 35-pitch up-and-down bullpen session Sunday in his first mound work since being placed on the IL. The Rangers will wait and see how Leiter bounces back from the side session before deciding what day he'll start for Round Rock.

Crochet (2-1) yielded one run on a hit and a walk over 7.1 innings Sunday, striking out 11 and earning a win over the White Sox.

Crochet was nearly untouchable Sunday; he was perfect through five innings and carried a no-hitter into the eighth. He was removed from the game after Chase Meidroth broke it up with a single and later came around to score with Garrett Whitlock on the mound. Crochet generated a season-high 18 whiffs, including 11 with his four-seamer that averaged 95.8 mph. He dropped his ERA to 1.38 with a 28:8 K:BB through 26 frames. Crochet's next outing is projected to be a rematch with the White Sox at home.