MLB Player News

Ashcraft (3-1) earned the win over the Angels on Saturday, allowing five runs on five hits and three walks while striking out four over five-plus innings.

Three of the five runs against Ashcraft scored in the sixth inning as the right-hander ran out of steam -- he allowed a two-run homer to Miguel Sano in the sixth and reliever Nick Martinez allowed an inherited runner to score. The bullpen was scoreless from that point and in turn secured Ashcraft his third win already in the early going. He doesn't miss a ton of bats -- Ashcraft got a modest nine swings and misses Saturday -- and as a result he should be considered a volatile option best deployed judiciously by fantasy mangers. He tentatively lines up for a home start against the Phillies next week.

Vasquez (0-1) took the loss Saturday against the Blue Jays after he allowed four runs (one earned) on five hits and one walk over five innings. He struck out three.

The right-hander was called up for his season debut and surrendered a three-run homer to Daulton Varsho in the opening inning, though none of the runs were earned due to an error earlier in the frame. Toronto also scratched a run across in the second, but Vasquez then pitched through the fifth inning with no further damage. San Diego doesn't have a scheduled off day until May 2, so Vasquez could stick in the starting rotation while Yu Darvish (neck) is on the 15-day injured list.

Munoz didn't factor in the decision during Game 2 of Saturday's doubleheader against the Cubs. He struck out seven and allowed two runs on two hits and a walk over five innings.

The 24-year-old surrendered a pair of solo homers but otherwise kept Chicago off the board in his MLB debut. Munoz exited in line for the victory, but the bullpen couldn't maintain a 3-2 advantage. The right-hander issued just one walk, which is a stark contrast to the 7:12 K:BB he posted across his three outings for Triple-A Jacksonville. Munoz was recalled as the 27th man for the doubleheader and should return to Jacksonville, but he likely pitched well enough to put him on the shortlist of potential call-ups when Miami needs rotation help later in the season.

Imanaga (3-0) earned the win in Game 2 of Saturday's doubleheader against the Marlins. He struck out five and gave up three runs (two earned) on five hits and no walks across six innings.

The Japanese right-hander finally surrendered his first earned runs of the season Saturday, but he still pitched well and delivered his second quality start. Imanaga generated 17 swinging strikes on 92 pitches and didn't issue a walk for the third time in four outings. He has a 0.84 ERA, 0.75 WHIP and 21:2 K:BB over 21.1 innings.

Luzardo didn't factor in the decision in Game 1 of Saturday's doubleheader against the Cubs. He struck out six and gave up two runs on three hits and three walks across six innings.

The left-hander surrendered a two-run triple to Patrick Wisdom during the third inning but otherwise kept Chicago off the board. The quality start is a welcome sight for Luzardo, who allowed 12 runs over his previous two outings and gave up at least one homer in each of his first four starts. Luzardo currently lines up to pitch next weekend versus the Nationals in Miami.

The Rockies optioned Davis to Triple-A Albuquerque on Saturday.

Davis was up with the big club for just one game and didn't make an appearance. The Rockies will announce a corresponding move prior to Sunday's doubleheader against the Mariners.

Assad didn't factor in the decision during Game 1 of Saturday's doubleheader against the Marlins. He struck out three and allowed one run on three hits and three walks over 4.2 innings.

The right-hander kept Miami off the board until two walks, a single and a sacrifice fly produced a run in the fifth, which brought an end to his day. It was arguably the worst start of the season for Assad as he failed to finish five innings for the first time, which illustrates how well he's pitched through four turns through the rotation. He has a 2-0 record with a 2.11 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 21:8 K:BB across 21.1 innings.

Mikolas (1-3) was charged with the loss Saturday against Milwaukee after he allowed five runs on nine hits and no walks across 4.2 innings. He struck out five.

Mikolas gave up a two-run homer to Rhys Hoskins during the opening frame but rebounded and was staked to a 4-2 lead after three innings. The right-hander then surrendered three more runs on a pair of homers in the fourth, setting him up for the loss. The 35-year-old entered Saturday's contest having not given up a homer in his previous three starts. Mikolas has two quality starts in five turns through the rotation but has allowed exactly five runs in each of his other three outings, which results in a 6.49 ERA and 1.52 WHIP over 26.1 frames.

Hall didn't factor in the decision Saturday in St. Louis after he allowed four runs on five hits and five walks over 3.2 innings. He struck out three.

The left-hander threw just 50 of his 90 pitches for strikes as he walked multiple batters in both the first and second innings. It's the second straight outing Hall has failed to last four innings, but the Milwaukee offense struck for 12 runs to keep him out of the loss column. The 25-year-old has a 7.71 ERA, 2.27 WHIP and 13:10 K:BB across 16.1 innings through four starts, and his leash in the rotation may be running out given the awful start to the season.

Keller (2-2) took the loss Saturday, giving up four runs on five hits and four walks over six innings as the Pirates fell 4-2 to the Red Sox. He struck out four.

After Boston scored twice in the first inning, Keller settled down and seemed to be cruising until Masataka Yoshida clubbed a two-run homer off him in the sixth. The right-hander has lasted at least six innings in three straight starts, but his overall results to begin 2024 haven't been impressive as he carries a 4.80 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 25:11 K:BB through 30 innings. Keller will look to tighten things up in his next outing, which lines up to come at home next week against the Brewers.