MLB Player News
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Jack Leiter SP | TEX
Rangers' Jack Leiter: Takes first loss
Leiter (2-1) allowed six runs on eight hits and two walks while striking out two over 4.1 innings, taking the loss Friday versus the Mariners.
Leiter was doing alright initially, but he started to falter when he allowed a solo shot to Cal Raleigh in the fourth inning. Raleigh added a grand slam in the fifth as the Mariners batted around, knocking Leiter from the game. Those were the first two homers the 25-year-old right-hander has allowed across four starts this season. He's failed to complete five innings in either of his last two outings following a stint on the injured list due to a blister on his right middle finger. He's now at a 4.58 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 15:7 K:BB across 17.2 innings this season. Leiter will have some ups and downs as a young pitcher finding his footing in the majors. He's projected to make his next start on the road in Boston.
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Bryan Woo SP | SEA
Mariners' Bryan Woo: Stellar in win over Rangers
Woo (4-1) allowed one hit and struck out eight without walking a batter over 6.1 scoreless innings to earn the win Friday over the Rangers.
Woo retired the first 14 batters he faced and ended with 64 of 87 pitches landing for strikes in the dominant outing. This was his fourth straight quality start and his fifth such performance in six starts overall. Woo has a 2.58 ERA, 0.83 WHIP and 38:7 K:BB over 38.1 innings. He showed plenty of potential over 121.1 innings in 2024, and he's arguably been even more reliable in 2025, which is especially valuable for a rotation missing George Kirby (shoulder) and Logan Gilbert (elbow). Woo's next start is projected to be a road outing versus the Athletics next week.
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Framber Valdez SP | DET
Astros' Framber Valdez: Yields four runs in loss
Valdez (1-4) took the loss Friday versus the White Sox, allowing four runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out six over five innings.
Valdez allowed a run in each of the first two innings and then gave up two more in the fifth. The southpaw just wasn't at his sharpest Friday, throwing just 48 of 87 pitches for strikes, which isn't particularly impressive given the competition. He hasn't won since his season debut while posting a 4.39 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 37:15 K:BB across 41 innings over seven starts in 2025. Despite his inconsistency, he has earned four quality starts. Valdez's next start is projected to be on the road in Milwaukee.
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Jonathan Cannon RP | CHW
White Sox's Jonathan Cannon: Earns second win
Cannon (2-3) allowed two runs on nine hits and struck out five without walking a batter over six innings to earn the win Friday over the Astros.
Cannon was back in a starting role after operating as a bulk reliever in his appearance versus the Athletics last Saturday. He wasn't dominant, but just two of the nine hits he allowed went for extra bases, and they were back-to-back doubles in the fourth inning that led to the Astros' first run. Cannon's two wins have come over his last two outings, and this was his first quality start of the season. He's pitched to a 4.26 ERA, 1.45 WHIP and 32:17 K:BB across 38 innings over seven appearances this season. The 24-year-old is tentatively projected to take on the Royals in Kansas City his next time out.
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Michael Wacha SP | KC
Royals' Michael Wacha: Yields three runs in seventh inning
Wacha (1-4) took the loss against the Orioles on Friday, allowing three runs on seven hits and one walk while striking out three over 6.1 innings.
Wacha faced the minimum number of batters in four of his first six scoreless innings, but things unravelled in the seventh. After giving up a double, Wacha lost his shutout bid on a Ryan O'Hearn two-run home run, and the former was tagged for a third run later in the frame. It was a disappointing finish to what was otherwise a strong performance for Wacha, who has logged two quality starts in a row. He's in line to face the White Sox at home next week.
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Dean Kremer SP | BAL
Orioles' Dean Kremer: Outduels Wacha in win
Kremer (3-4) earned the win against the Royals on Friday, allowing three hits and one walk while striking out two over seven scoreless innings.
Kremer hadn't made it past 5.2 innings in any of his six starts entering Friday's game. He made light work of the Royals' batters, however, needing only 82 pitches (56 strikes) to make it through seven innings. It was his first quality start of the season, and his efforts lowered his ERA and WHIP to 5.73 and 1.38, respectively, over 37.2 innings. He's in line to face the Twins on the road next week.
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Gunnar Hoglund P | ATH
Athletics' Gunnar Hoglund: Shines in major-league debut
Hoglund (1-0) earned the win Friday against Miami after allowing one run on six hits and no walks in six innings. He struck out seven.
Making his major-league debut, the 2021 first-rounder mostly cruised through Miami's lineup. Dane Myers took Hoglund deep for a solo homer to lead off the sixth inning, but the Athletics took a 6-0 lead in the fifth to give Hoglund plenty of cushion. The right-hander produced a 2.43 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 30:7 K:BB over 29.2 innings at Triple-A Las Vegas this year, and he almost certainly earned another chance in the rotation with Friday's impressive performance. Hoglund's next turn lines up for next week in a tough test versus the Mariners.
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Brayan Bello SP | BOS
Red Sox's Brayan Bello: Works into seventh inning Friday
Bello didn't factor into the decision Friday against Minnesota after allowing one run on four hits and one walk in 6.2 innings. He struck out five.
After beginning the season on the injured list with a shoulder strain, Bello was able to reach the 100-pitch plateau for the first time in three starts this year. The right-hander also worked into the seventh inning for the first time, yielding a season-low one walk in the process. However, Bello did concede a home run, a third-inning solo shot to Ryan Jeffers, in his third straight outing. Bello will try to reduce the hard contact when he takes a 2.55 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 12:7 K:BB across 17.2 innings into his next scheduled appearance versus the Rangers, who entered Friday ranked 29th in the majors in runs scored (103).
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Joe Ryan SP | MIN
Twins' Joe Ryan: Outstanding in no-decision
Ryan didn't factor into the decision Friday against the Red Sox after allowing one run on four hits and one walk in six innings. He struck out eight.
Ryan worked at least five innings in his seventh straight start to open the season, and it was the fifth time he held the opposition to one run or less already in 2025. The right-hander's velocity was also up a bit, as he touched 95 mph 12 times, and it helped translate to an outstanding 17 swings and misses. Over 40 innings this season, Ryan now boasts a 2.93 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and a sparkling 47:5 K:BB. His ability to limit free passes would figure to play well in his next scheduled outing versus the Orioles, who ranked 25th in the majors in on-base percentage (.296) as of Friday.
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Ryan Pepiot RP | TB
Rays' Ryan Pepiot: Tagged for two runs in loss
Pepiot (2-4) took the loss against the Yankees on Friday, allowing two runs on five hits and two walks while striking out one batter over 4.1 innings.
Pepiot allowed at least one baserunner in each of the first four innings, but was able to maneuver out of trouble without allowing a run. He was lifted in the fifth inning after giving up a walk and a double, and Pepiot was tagged for two runs after Paul Goldschmidt belted a three-run home run off Mason Montgomery. Pepiot generated just 10 first-pitch strikes and five whiffs on 88 pitches (55 strikes) and wasn't able to complete five innings for the first time in seven starts. He's in line to face the Phillies at home next week.