MLB Player News

Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said Tuesday that Leiter will "probably" start the second game of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Athletics, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Michael Lorenzen will start the first game of the double dip and Leiter has already joined the club in Oakland as he lines up for the second contest. The young right-hander struggled in a spot start in Detroit last month in his major-league debut, yielding seven runs over 3.2 frames. However, he's been sharp at Triple-A Round Rock with a 2.84 ERA and 37:8 K:BB over 25.1 innings. While there is obvious risk, Leiter represents an intriguing streaming option Wednesday. He's a possibility to make at least one additional start, as well while Nathan Eovaldi (groin) recovers.

France was placed on the 7-day injured list at Triple-A Sugar Land on Tuesday with a shoulder injury, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

The right-hander was demoted to Triple-A on April 25 and surrendered three runs over 3.2 innings during his lone start prior to the injury. France is without an official timeline for return but could be out "a while," per Rome. The injury won't immediately affect the Astros' rotation but is a big hit to their depth.

Flaherty (0-2) took the loss Monday against Cleveland, allowing two runs on six hits and one walk over six innings. He struck out six.

Flaherty struggled with the Guardians' power, yielding three extra-base hits, including a solo homer in the sixth frame to Jose Ramirez. While the veteran righty has been an excellent source of strikeouts with 56 K's through 42 innings, he hasn't been as dominant in the run department but still owns a 3.86 ERA and has walked merely six batters. Flaherty will likely take the mound Sunday against the Astros for his next start.

McKenzie didn't factor into the decision Monday against Detroit, allowing one run on three hits and three walks over five innings. He struck out six.

McKenzie settled in nicely after allowing a solo home run to Riley Greene on his first pitch of the day, striking out three straight to close out the first and keeping the Tigers from adding on more runs. He's now allowed two or fewer runs and struck out at least six batters in four consecutive starts, bringing his ERA to 3.97 through 34 innings. However, McKenzie still appears to have the training wheels on after missing most of the 2023 season with elbow and shoulder injuries, as he's been kept under 85 pitches in five of his seven starts this year. McKenzie is tentatively scheduled to face the White Sox in Chicago on Saturday.

Wood pitched six scoreless innings, allowing two runs and one walk while striking out three batters in a no-decision against Texas on Monday.

Wood tamed the Rangers' bats in his season-high six innings of work, allowing just three baserunners and keeping all of those from reaching second base. The left-hander departed in line for the win with Oakland clinging to a 2-0 lead, but the team's bullpen couldn't hold on late, saddling Wood with a no-decision. Nonetheless, this was another promising outing for the veteran hurler, who has allowed just three runs over 15.2 frames across his past three starts. His season ERA is still a poor 5.30, but that's a dramatic step forward after it sat at 7.89 over his first five starts of the campaign.

Heaney allowed two runs (one earned) on seven hits and no walks while striking out five batters over six innings in a no-decision against Oakland on Monday.

Heaney notched his second straight quality start, but a strong outing by opposing starter Alex Wood kept him from picking up his first win of the season. Nonetheless, Heaney was impressive in the start, inducing 15 swinging strikes and finishing without issuing a free pass for his third consecutive appearance. The left-hander failed to get through five frames in each of his first three starts of the season but has now done so in each of his subsequent four outings, and he's gone at least six frames in three straight trips to the mound. Heaney's ERA still sits at a mediocre 4.50, but he has a solid 1.11 WHIP along with a 31:9 K:BB through 36 innings.

Castillo (3-5) yielded three runs on three hits over 6.2 innings Monday, striking out seven and taking a loss against the Twins.

Castillo fired four shutout frames before the Twins broke the scoreless tie in the fifth inning. He later was charged with two more runs in the seventh. Entering Monday's start, Castillo had turned in four straight outings with two or fewer earned runs allowed. He's factored into the decision in each of his eight starts and snapped his three-game winning streak Monday. Despite the up-and-down start to his season, Castillo has registered a solid 3.54 ERA with a 56:11 K:BB through 48.1 innings. His next start is currently projected to be at home against Oakland this weekend.

Woods Richardson allowed a hit and a walk over six shutout frames in a no-decision Monday. He struck out eight during the win over Seattle.

Woods Richardson struck out the first four batters he faced and five of the first six through two perfect frames. Only one Mariner reached scoring position against him as he turned in the best outing of his MLB career. The 23-year-old righty generated 10 whiffs, matching his season high. Woods Richardson dropped his ERA to 1.74 with a 21:5 K:BB through 20.2 frames. His next start is projected to be this weekend in Toronto.

Clevinger (0-1) took the loss Monday, allowing four runs (three earned) on six hits and four walks over two innings against Tampa Bay. He had no strikeouts.

Clevinger looked rough in his season debut Monday against the Rays, generating just one whiff from his 54 pitches. It was the second time he has failed to generate a strikeout in a start during his eight-year career -- first done Sept. 24, 2023 against Boston. Clevinger's next start is scheduled against his former team, Cleveland, at home this weekend.

Anderson (2-4) took the loss Monday, allowing four runs on six hits and three walks over 6.1 innings against Pittsburgh. He struck out five.

Anderson allowed all four runs Monday night on one swing -- a 424-foot grand slam by Edward Olivares in the third inning. Although the Angels southpaw sports a 2.74 ERA in 42.2 innings, tougher times may lie ahead, as he has been aided greatly by a .205 BABIP. Anderson is slated to make his next start against the Royals at home.