MLB Player News

Lopez (1-1) picked up the win Wednesday, allowing one run on four hits and a walk over over seven innings in a 6-1 victory over the White Sox. He struck out five.

The game was delayed over three hours by rain, but Lopez didn't lose his focus while waiting it out. The right-hander tossed 67 of 98 pitches for strikes, and he took a shutout into the seventh inning before Brooks Baldwin got hold of a changeup that stayed up in the zone and drove it over the fence in right-center field for a solo shot. Lopez will take a 2.25 ERA and 8:1 K:BB through 12 innings into his next outing, which lines up to come on the road early next week in Kansas City.

Valdez (1-1) took the loss after allowing five runs on four hits and four walks in five innings Wednesday against the Giants. He struck out nine.

The star left-hander was ambushed early, promptly serving up a two-run home run to Willy Adames in the first inning. Luis Matos then hit a solo homer in the second, and Heliot Ramos also doubled to drive in a pair of runs later in the frame. Valdez did settle in to throw three scoreless innings thereafter and fanned nine, but overall it was a poor performance after delivering seven shutout frames Opening Day.

Kikuchi came away with a no-decision in Wednesday's 12-5 loss to the Cardinals, giving up three runs on four hits and five walks over six innings. He struck out six.

The southpaw battled both his control and command, tossing only 59 of 104 pitches for strikes and getting tagged for a pair of homers by Ivan Herrera. Even so, Kikuchi was briefly in line for the win when the Halos took a 5-3 lead in the top of the seventh, but the bullpen made a mess of things. Kikuchi has a 4.50 ERA and 11:5 K:BB though his first two trips to the mound for Los Angeles, both of them quality starts, and he'll look for his first win of 2025 in his next outing, which lines up to come on the road next week in Tampa Bay.

Pepiot (0-1) took the loss Wednesday as the Rays were downed 4-2 by the Pirates, giving up two runs on five hits and three walks over five innings. He struck out three.

A Ke'Bryan Hayes leadoff triple in the second inning and an Oneil Cruz solo shot in the fifth led to the only damage against Pepiot, but the right-hander had no margin for error with Paul Skenes on the mound for the Bucs. Pepiot has had a strong beginning to his season, posting a 2.45 ERA and 11:4 K:BB through his first 11 innings, but Tampa Bay has scored just five runs combined in his two starts. The right-hander will look for more support in his next outing, which is scheduled to come at home next week against the Angels.

Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said Wednesday that Sugano has been cleared to make his next start this weekend in Kansas City after experiencing cramping in both of his hands during his MLB debut Sunday versus Blue Jays, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Sugano said after the game that he's previously dealt with hand cramps at various points during his playing career in Japan, but neither he nor the Orioles are concerned about his health moving forward. Before exiting his start Sunday, Sugano gave up two earned runs on four hits and two walks while striking out one batter over four innings.

Ragans recorded 10 strikeouts and allowed one run on five hits and two walks across five innings Wednesday in Milwaukee. He did not factor in the decision.

Jackson Chourio started the scoring with a solo homer during the first inning, but Ragans then blanked the Brewers by scattering baserunners for the next four frames. The left-hander showcased his stuff and generated 20 whiffs, but 21 foul balls drove up his pitch count and helped result in an early exit. Ragans has yet to provide much length in his first two starts of 2025, going five frames in both outings; however, he's pitched well, allowing four runs and posting a 13:4 K:BB. A home matchup with the Twins likely awaits him early next week.

The White Sox announced that Adams underwent successful Tommy John surgery Wednesday, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

Adams, 25, would have had a chance to reach the majors in 2025 if he was healthy, but now he's likely to out until at least midseason of 2026. He posted a 2.92 ERA and 110:28 K:BB over 120.1 innings between Double-A Birmingham and Triple-A Charlotte in 2024.

Bello (shoulder) is scheduled to make a second rehab start Sunday with Triple-A Worcester, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.

Bello wasn't sharp in his first rehab start with Worcester on Tuesday, covering 2.1 innings and striking out five while allowing four earned runs on four hits and two walks. Perhaps more importantly, however, Bello emerged from that start without any setbacks with his shoulder, so he'll look to increase his workload after tossing 47 pitches Tuesday. The Red Sox will reassess Bello's next steps after Sunday's outing, but if all goes well, he could return from the 15-day injured list and rejoin the Boston rotation late next week.

Leiter was removed from his start Wednesday against the Reds after five innings due to a blister on his pitching hand, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

Leiter left the game in line for the win, and he likely would have been available to cover another inning or two if the blister issue hadn't cropped up. The right-hander faced just one batter over the minimum through five frames, giving up one hit and no walks while striking out six over 70 pitches. The Rangers have described his removal as precautionary, so as long as the blister doesn't present any discomfort during his between-starts bullpen session, Leiter should be ready to take the hill the next time his turn in the rotation comes up Tuesday in Chicago versus the Cubs.

The Athletics acquired Duran from the Dodgers on Wednesday in exchange for outfielder Esteury Ruiz.

Duran spent time at three levels in the minors in 2024, accruing a 3.71 ERA, 1.58 WHIP and 73:32 K:BB In 53.1 innings spanning 19 starts. The Dodgers have ample depth in the rotation and weren't likely to have a spot available for Duran anytime soon, but the move to the Athletics should enhance his chances of reaching the majors down the road. The 23-year-old right-hander will likely slot into the rotation with the Athletics' Triple-A affiliate in Las Vegas.