MLB Player News

Rocker (0-1) allowed six runs on seven hits and two walks over three innings Monday, striking out three and taking a loss against Cincinnati.

The Reds jumped on Rocker right out of the gate with a three-run first inning, spearheaded by Matt McLain's two-run homer. Things got worse in the second with Elly De La Cruz's three-run jack. Rocker gave up just one long ball through 11.2 frames at the MLB level last year. He touched 97 mph with the fastball and forced 10 swinging strikes on 74 total pitches (45 strikes). His next start is lined up to be at home against the Rays this weekend.

Rasmussen (1-0) picked up the win after allowing two hits and no walks in five scoreless innings Monday against the Pirates. He struck out four.

Rasmussen was sharp in his season debut Monday, scattering two singles against a Pittsburgh lineup that offered little to no resistance. The right-hander made just four starts (16 appearances) a year ago after missing most of 2023 due to an internal brace procedure, but he should serve as a full-time member of Tampa Bay's rotation this season. Rasmussen's next appearance is slated to come this weekend in Texas, which would be a tougher test.

Johnson earned the save in Monday's 5-4 win in extras at St. Louis, allowing an unearned run on one hit. He struck out one.

The 22-year-old rookie was called upon in the 10th inning to secure the victory and accomplished the task on 20 pitches, 13 of which were strikes. Johnson, the 74th overall pick in the 2024, allowed the automatic runner to score via a sacrifice fly but otherwise looked the part of a high-leverage reliever in this outing. However, save chances will likely be rare for Johnson as the Angels' usual closer, Kenley Jansen, pitched in back-to-back games Saturday and Sunday and was given a breather.

Anderson took a no-decision Monday against the Cardinals. He struck out four over five innings while allowing three runs on six hits and two walks.

The Angels southpaw tossed 91 pitches, including 61 strikes, while inducing 10 whiffs during his season debut in St. Louis. However, Anderson struggled to contain the long ball as Lars Nootbaar and Brendan Donovan -- both left-handed batters -- hit solo shots in the first and second innings, respectively. After pitching to a 7.41 ERA and 1.65 WHIP across 17 innings in the spring, Anderson still has some tuning up to do before he makes his next start against the Guardians at home this weekend.

Povich allowed three runs on five hits and two walks over 4.1 innings during a no-decision against Boston on Monday. He struck out eight in the win.

Povich allowed all three runs in the first three frames, including two in the second inning on a Jarren Duran triple. Povich needed 94 pitches (59 strikes) to record 13 outs and found himself in several jams. He earned a spot in the Opening Day rotation with a 3.07 ERA and 15:4 K:BB through 14.2 frames during spring training. Povich will look to be a bit more efficient in his next start, which is currently lined up to be in Kansas City this weekend.

Crochet agreed to a six-year, $170 million contract extension with the Red Sox on Monday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Passan notes that this deal won't go into effect until the 2026 season and includes an opt-out clause following the 2030 campaign. Crochet is currently under contract on a one-year, $3.8 million agreement until the end of 2025 and made only one start with Boston before the two sides were able to come together on a long-term contract.

Paddack (0-1) took the loss Monday against the White Sox. He allowed nine runs on six hits and four walks while striking out two across 3.1 innings.

Paddack's got off to a rough start Monday when he gave up a three-run home run to Andrew Vaughn in the first inning. Paddack proceeded to allow long shots to Andrew Benintendi and Michael Taylor and failed to get out of the fourth frame while tossing 89 pitches (54 strikes). Paddack earned a spot in the Twins' rotation after posting a 4.58 ERA and 21:4 K:BB across 17.2 spring innings, but Monday certainly wasn't an ideal beginning to the 2025 campaign for the 29-year-old right-hander. He'll look to bounce back in his next start, which is tentatively slated for this weekend at home against the Astros.

Perez (1-0) earned the win Monday against the Twins, allowing three walks across six hitless and scoreless innings while striking out nine.

Perez had a strong spring training with a 2.25 ERA across 16 innings, and that momentum carried into Monday's AL Central showdown. He retired 11 straight to begin the game, and after escaping a bit of trouble in the fourth inning, he finished his day striking out five of the last six batters he faced. Perez generated 11 whiffs and logged 14 first-pitch strikes to get the Minnesota hitters behind in the count. Perez is in line to start this upcoming weekend on the road against the Tigers.

Bubic (1-0) earned the win Monday against the Brewers. He allowed three hits and two walks while striking out eight across six scoreless innings.

Bubic beat out Daniel Lynch for the fifth starter role during spring training, and the former's performance Monday made it look like the right decision. Bubic came out firing by striking out the side in the first inning, and after escaping a bases-loaded situation in the second, he allowed only three more base runners over the next four frames and generated 15 whiffs in 95 pitches. Bubic served out of the Royals' bullpen for the past two seasons after a difficult 2022 campaign when he registered a 5.54 ERA and 1.70 WHIP across 28 starts, but the southpaw was locked in Monday and will look to carry that momentum into his next start tentatively slated for this upcoming weekend against the Orioles at home.

The Blue Jays could push Gausman's next start back to Friday against the Mets, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

Gausman is currently scheduled to take the ball Wednesday versus the Nationals, but the Blue Jays might have Easton Lucas start that day if he's not needed in long relief before then. There does not appear to be anything wrong physically with Gausman, as this would simply give him a couple extra days of rest and also allow him to face the tougher lineup.