MLB Player News

Francis (1-1) took the loss Sunday versus the Mets, allowing two runs on six hits and two walks over 5.1 innings. He struck out six.

Francis worked around six singles over his 90 pitches, out of which he generated 10 whiffs. The New York lineup was unable to square up the Toronto right-hander, as the pair of runs they were plated in the third inning came on a Pete Alonso single and Brandon Nimmo sacrifice fly. Francis now sports a 3.18 ERA and 1.15 WHIP with a 10:5 K:BB over his first 11.1 innings. The 28-year-old lines up to make his next start at Baltimore next weekend.

Astros general manager Dana Brown said Sunday that Valdez is dealing with some fatigue and a sore throat, putting his status in question for his scheduled turn through the rotation Tuesday in Seattle, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

The left-hander could still be available to pitch Tuesday, but for now the Astros are leaving Tuesday's starter as "to-be-announced." In his first two starts of the season, Valdez has a 3.17 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 13:6 K:BB across 12 innings.

The Angels optioned Dana to Triple-A Salt Lake on Sunday.

Dana's stay with the Angels lasted just two days, as he was recalled from Triple-A on Friday and appeared out of the bullpen later that night in an 8-6 loss to the Guardians. Since he covered three innings and gave up two earned runs on four hits and one walk in that appearance, Dana was unlikely to be available for another day or two, so the Angels opted to swap him off the active roster in favor of a fresh arm in right-hander Michael Darrell-Hicks, who was called up from Salt Lake. Dana is expected to move back into the rotation upon his return to the Triple-A club.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said that Fitts will make his next start Monday against the Blue Jays in Boston, Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald reports.

Fitts had been in line to make his second start of the season Saturday against the Cardinals, but that game was postponed due to inclement weather. With the Red Sox and Cardinals making up the game in a doubleheader Sunday, both teams are allotted a 27th man. The Red Sox will take advantage of the extra roster spot and have Triple-A Worcester call-up Hunter Dobbins start the second game of the twin bill while giving Fitts some extra rest. Dobbins is likely to be sent back to the minors immediately after the doubleheader while Boston returns to a five-man rotation to begin the upcoming week.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said that Dobbins will start the second game of Sunday's doubleheader with the Cardinals, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

Dobbins fell short of winning a spot on Boston's Opening Day roster coming out of spring training, but the right-hander didn't have to wait long to receive a call-up from Triple-A Worcester. He'll be making his MLB debut Sunday and will serve as Boston's 27th man in the twin bill, so Dobbins is likely to be sent back to Worcester immediately following the spot start. Though Cora noted that he was impressed with Dobbins' velocity readings in spring training, the 25-year-old labored in his first Triple-A start this past Tuesday, striking out two over 3.2 innings while allowing five earned runs on three hits -- all home runs -- and three walks. He'll make for a risky streaming option Sunday.

The Red Sox recalled Dobbins from Triple-A Worcester on Sunday.

Dobbins has been designated as the team's 27th man for Sunday's doubleheader versus the Cardinals, so he'll presumably head back to Worcester after the twin bill is completed. The Red Sox haven't clarified what Dobbins' role will look like Sunday, as Sean Newcomb is starting the first game of the doubleheader, while Richard Fitts could be available to take the hill for the nightcap. If Fitts ends up starting, Dobbins could be an option out of the bullpen for both games.

Bibee (1-1) took the loss against the Angels on Saturday, allowing seven runs on eight hits and one walk while striking out four batters over four-plus innings.

Bibee got off to a rough start when he gave up three runs on two long balls in the first inning. The right-hander kept the Angels quiet while Cleveland tied the score over the next three frames, but things fell apart for him in the fifth, as Los Angeles got to him for a pair of two-run homers before he could retire a batter. This was the first time in Bibee's career that he's given up four home runs in one game, and he's been pretty good at keeping the ball in the park throughout his career, as he entered 2025 surrendering less than a homer per nine innings across 315.2 regular-season frames. Bibee will look to bounce back in his next start, which tentatively lines up to be at home against Kansas City next week.

Kochanowicz (1-0) earned the win over Cleveland on Saturday, allowing three runs (two earned) on four hits and three walks while striking out four batters over five innings.

Kochanowicz wasn't as sharp as in his first start of the campaign, when he didn't issue a walk and notched a quality start, but this time around he got plenty of run support, as the Angels scored seven runs in the bottom of the fifth inning after he finished his final frame. The right-hander earned the Angels' final rotation spot with a solid spring, and he's done enough so far to hang onto the role, posting a 3.27 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 8:3 K:BB over 11 frames through two starts. Kochanowicz has struggled a bit with the long ball, though -- he's already yielded three homers after giving up just seven in 65.1 innings as a rookie last year.

Bradley allowed four earned runs on two hits and four walks while striking out seven across five innings in Saturday's game against the Rangers. He didn't factor into the decision.

The Rangers jumped on Bradley early, slugging a pair of homers that accounted for all four runs against him in the first frame. He didn't allow a hit across his final four innings of work, and he generated 10 swinging strikes on 82 pitches. While Bradley's recovery was promising, his struggles with the long ball throughout his big-league career still create extra concern about this showing.

Miller (0-2) took the loss against San Francisco on Saturday, pitching 5.1 innings and allowing four runs on seven hits and three walks while striking out four batters.

Miller wasn't sharp Saturday, as he issued four walks, threw just 53 of 93 pitches for strikes and served up four extra-base hits (all doubles). He was nonetheless able to hold the Giants to two runs through five frames, but the righty retired just one of the four batters he faced in the sixth before being pulled, and he ended up being charged for two runs in that frame. Miller has had a disappointing beginning to the campaign, posting a 5.73 ERA, 1.64 WHIP and 8:5 K:BB over 11 frames to go along with his two losses.